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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2024.

 

Registration No. 333-   

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   3533   99-4382473

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450

Houston, Texas 77056

Telephone: 713-997-4877

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Joseph R. Edwards

President and Chief Executive Officer

1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450

Houston, Texas 77056

Telephone: 713-997-4877

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

David C. Buck

John W. Stribling

Sidley Austin LLP

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5900

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 495-4500

 

Ryan J. Maierson

Nick S. Dhesi

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 546-5400

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement is declared effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated       , 2024.

  Shares

 

LOGO

Flowco Holdings Inc.

Class A Common Stock

This is an initial public offering of shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. We are selling      shares of Class A common stock.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Class A common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock will be between $   and $  . We intend to apply to list our Class A common stock on The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on the under the symbol “FLOC.” This offering is contingent upon final approval of our listing of the Class A common stock on the NYSE.

We will have two classes of common stock outstanding after this offering: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Each share of our Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share and each share of our Class B common stock entitles its holder to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally. Immediately following the consummation of this offering, all of the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock will be held by the Continuing Equity Owners (as defined herein), which will represent in the aggregate approximately  % of the voting power of our outstanding common stock after this offering (or approximately  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).

Our post-offering organizational structure, commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership-C-corporation, or UP-C structure, provides potential future tax benefits to both Flowco Holdings Inc. and our Continuing Equity Owners. Prior to the completion of this offering, Flowco Holdings Inc. will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined herein) with certain Continuing Equity Owners and the Blocker Shareholders (as defined herein) that will provide for certain cash payments to be made by Flowco Holdings Inc. to such Continuing Equity Owners and the Blocker Shareholders in respect of certain of the future tax benefits received by Flowco Holdings Inc., utilizing cash for the benefit of such unitholders that otherwise would have been available to us for other uses and for the benefit of all of our stockholders. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

We will be a holding company, and upon consummation of this offering and the application of proceeds therefrom, our principal asset will consist of LLC Interests (as defined herein) we acquire directly from Flowco MergeCo LLC (“Flowco LLC”) with the proceeds from this offering and indirectly from the Blocker Shareholders (as defined herein) collectively representing an aggregate  % economic interest in Flowco LLC. The remaining  % economic interest in Flowco LLC will be owned by the Continuing Equity Owners through their ownership of LLC Interests.

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be the sole managing member of Flowco LLC. We will operate and control all of the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and, through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, conduct our business.

Following this offering, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules. See “Our Organizational Structure” and “Management—Controlled Company Exception.”

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and will be subject to reduced disclosure and public reporting requirements. This prospectus complies with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is an emerging growth company.

 

 

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors“ beginning on page 26 to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our Class A common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     
      Per Share      Total  

Initial public offering price

   $          $       

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

   $           $       

Proceeds, before expenses, to Flowco Holdings Inc.

   $           $       

 

(1)   We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page 161 of this registration statement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional      shares of Class A common stock from us at the initial price to the public less the underwriting discount within 30 days of the date of this prospectus.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A common stock against payment in New York, New York on    , 2024.

 

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan    Jefferies      Piper Sandler

 

Evercore ISI   BMO Capital Markets  

Pickering Energy Partners

 

Fearnley Securities

 

Pareto Securities

 

TPH&Co.

 

Prospectus dated    , 2024


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LOGO


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    1  

RISK FACTORS

    26  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    56  

OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

    59  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    64  

CAPITALIZATION

    65  

DIVIDEND POLICY

    67  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    71  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    85  

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

    104  

BUSINESS

    114  

MANAGEMENT

    131  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    144  

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

    158  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    161  

DESCRIPTION OF INDEBTEDNESS

    168  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

    171  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

    173  

UNDERWRITING

    177  

LEGAL MATTERS

    187  

EXPERTS

    187  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    187  

GLOSSARY OF OIL AND GAS TERMS

    188  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    F-i  

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to give you any information other than in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein. We can provide no assurances as to the reliability of any other information that others may give you. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered by this prospectus, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our Class A common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Through and including    , 2025 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

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For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the underwriters have not, done anything that would permit this offering or the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of Class A common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. See “Underwriting.”

 

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organizational Structure

In connection with the closing of this offering, we will undertake certain organizational transactions to reorganize our corporate structure. Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus reflects the consummation of the organizational transactions described in the section titled “Our Organizational Structure” and this offering, and the application of the proceeds therefrom, which we refer to collectively as the “Transactions.”

See “Our Organizational Structure” for a diagram depicting our organizational structure after giving effect to the Transactions, including this offering.

Certain Definitions

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to:

 

 

“2024 Business Combination” refers to the acquisition by Flowco LLC, on June 20, 2024, of 100% of the membership interests of each of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate, as described more fully in “Summary—Recent Developments—2024 Business Combination” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

“Blocker Companies” refers to (i) WD Thunder CV Parallel Blocker LP, (ii) GEC III-GI FPS Blocker Corp. and (iii) GEC III-GI Estis Blocker Corp.

 

 

“Blocker Shareholders” refer to the owners of the Blocker Companies prior to the Transactions, who will exchange their interests in the Blocker Companies for shares of our Class A common stock in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.

 

 

“Continuing Equity Owners” refer collectively to holders of LLC Interests and our Class B common stock immediately following consummation of the Transactions, including certain executive officers, employees and other minority investors and their respective permitted transferees who may, following the consummation of this offering, exchange at each of their respective options, in whole or in part from time to time, their LLC Interests (along with an equal number of shares of Class B common stock (and such shares shall be immediately cancelled)) for, at our election, cash or newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions.”

 

 

“Estis” means Estis Compression, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Estis Compression, LLC is the predecessor to Flowco LLC (as defined below).

 

 

“Estis Intermediate” means Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limtied liability company.

 

 

“Estis Member” means GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, as an Original Equity Owner following the 2024 Business Combination.

 

 

“Flogistix” means Flogistix, LP, a Texas limited partnership.

 

 

“Flogistix Intermediate” means Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

“Flogistix Member” means Flogistix Holdings, LLC, as an Original Equity Owner following the 2024 Business Combination.

 

 

“Flowco LLC” refers to Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Flowco LLC was formed during June 2024 to effectuate the 2024 Business Combination.

 

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“Flowco LLC Agreement” refers to Flowco LLC’s second amended and restated limited liability company agreement, which will become effective substantially concurrently with or prior to the consummation of this offering.

 

 

“Flowco MasterCo” means Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Flowco LLC.

 

 

“Flowco Productions” means Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

“FPS” or the “FPS Member” means Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., as an Original Equity Owner following the 2024 Business Combination. The FPS Member contributed substantially all of its assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the contribution of its equity interests in connection with the 2024 Business Combination, and for purposes of such historical financial statement presentations herein, we refer to such entity as “FPS.”

 

 

“GEC” means GEC Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

”GEC Affiliates” means GEC and its affiliates, including Jonathan B. Fairbanks.

 

 

“LLC Interests” refer to the common units of Flowco LLC, including those that we purchase with a portion of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

 

“Original Equity Owners” refer to the owners of LLC Interests in Flowco LLC prior to the consummation of the Transactions, collectively, which consist of FPS Member, Estis Member and Flogistix Member.

 

 

“Transactions” refer to the organizational transactions and this offering, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom.

 

 

“we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “Flowco” and similar references refer: (i) following the consummation of the Transactions, including this offering, to Flowco Holdings Inc., and, unless otherwise stated, all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Flowco LLC; and (ii) prior to the completion of the Transactions, including this offering, to Flowco LLC and, unless otherwise stated, all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, or, as applicable, the Predecessor.

 

 

“White Deer” means White Deer Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

”White Deer Affiliates” means White Deer and its affiliates.

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company and the sole managing member of Flowco LLC, and upon consummation of the Transactions, its principal asset will consist of its direct ownership in LLC Interests and a direct non-economic managing member interest in Flowco LLC.

Presentation of Financial Information

Estis and Flowco LLC are accounting predecessors of Flowco Holdings Inc. for financial reporting purposes. Flowco Holdings Inc. will be the public registrant and successor entity following this offering. Accordingly, this prospectus contains the following historical financial statements:

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. Other than the balance sheet, dated as of November 30, 2024, the historical financial information of Flowco Holdings Inc. is not included in this prospectus as it is a newly incorporated entity, has no business transactions or activities to date and had no assets or liabilities during the periods presented in this prospectus. Flowco Holdings Inc. will be the successor upon completion of the organizational transactions discussed in this registration statement.

 

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Flowco LLC. Flowco LLC prior to the 2024 Business Combination was determined to lack commercial substance as it had not engaged in any business activities and therefore, one or more of the operating companies would be deemed the accounting acquirer.

 

 

Estis. Estis was determined to be the accounting acquirer and predecessor to Flowco LLC and Flowco Holdings Inc. primarily based on its relative size when compared to the other two merging entities, majority of economics, majority of board seats nominated as well as significant representation on the executive management team upon the closing of the 2024 Business Combination.

On June 20, 2024, Flowco LLC acquired 100% of the membership interests of each of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate. We refer to these business combinations as the “2024 Business Combination.” In connection with the 2024 Business Combination, Estis Member contributed substantially all of its assets (including the membership interest of Estis Compression LLC) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interest of Estis Intermediate to Flowco LLC. FPS Member also contributed substantially all of its assets to Flowco Productions LLC immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco productions LLC to Flowco LLC. Flogistix Holdings, LLC also contributed substantially all of its assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix, LP) to Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC to Flowco LLC.

Except as noted in this prospectus, the unaudited pro forma financial information of Flowco Holdings Inc. presented in this prospectus has been derived from the application of pro forma adjustments to the historical consolidated financial statements of Flowco LLC as the predecessor of Flowco Holdings Inc. and the historical consolidated financial statements of FPS and Flogistix as significant acquirees and all are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Subsequent to the 2024 Business Combination on June 20, 2024 the unaudited pro forma financial information of Flowco Holdings Inc. have been derived from the application of pro forma adjustments to the historical consolidated financial statements of Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries. These pro forma adjustments give effect to the 2024 Business Combination and the Transactions as described in “Our Organizational Structure,” including the consummation of this offering, as if all such transactions had occurred on January 1, 2023 in the case of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations data, and as of September 30, 2024 in the case of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” for a complete description of the adjustments and assumptions underlying the pro forma financial information included in this prospectus. References to the “Pro Forma Fiscal Year 2023” refer to the pro forma financial information derived from or presented in the “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” for the year ended December 31, 2023 and references to the “Pro Forma for the nine months ended September 30, 2024” refer to the pro forma financial information derived from or presented in the “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included in this prospectus have been subject to rounding adjustments. Percentage amounts included in this prospectus have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this prospectus may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Certain other amounts that appear in this prospectus may not sum due to rounding.

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, to supplement financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. We believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results provides management additional insight on the consolidated financial performance from period to period to project our future consolidated financial performance as forecasts are developed at a level of detail different from that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures. Moreover, we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide our stakeholders with useful information to help them evaluate our operating results by facilitating an enhanced understanding of our operating performance and enabling them to make more meaningful period to period comparisons. We define EBITDA as net income, plus interest expense, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus share-based compensation expense, and other non-cash and non-recurring expense. There are limitations to the use of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this prospectus. For example, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. See “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

TRADEMARKS

This prospectus includes our trademarks and trade names which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus also contains trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry, competitive position and the markets in which we operate is based on information from independent industry and research organizations, other third-party sources and management estimates. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information released by independent industry analysts and other third-party sources, as well as data from our internal research, and are based on assumptions made by us upon reviewing such data, and our experience in, and knowledge of, such industry and markets, which we believe to be reasonable. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of the future performance of the industry in which we operate and our future performance are necessarily subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our Class A common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions for the oil and natural gas industry. Our products and services include a full range of equipment and technology solutions that enable our customers to efficiently and cost-effectively maximize the profitability and economic lifespan of the production phase of their operations. Our principal products and services are organized into two business segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies. Our core technologies include high pressure gas lift (“HPGL”), conventional gas lift, plunger lift and vapor recovery unit (“VRU”) solutions, all of which are overlaid by our proprietary digital technologies and solutions that enable real-time remote monitoring and control to maximize efficiencies of our products and services. These products and services, including proprietary technologies such as HPGL, which was pioneered by Flowco, hold, in their respective categories, leading positions in growing markets, and are used extensively by the largest oil and natural gas producers primarily in the U.S.

We generate revenues throughout the long producing lives of oil and gas wells, which may be able to produce for decades after being drilled and completed. As of September 30, 2024 we operated a fleet of over 4,300 active systems enabling consistent revenue generation. We also sell other products and services that help our customers optimize the value of their assets. We believe that the demand for our products and services is more stable than demand for drilling and completion related services, and this demand has resulted in a more durable, recurring cash flow for our products and services than is typical in many other oilfield services. The production phase of a new oil or natural gas well begins when it is brought online. From this point forward, the rate of production is determined by the geological characteristics of the reservoir from which the well is producing, the design and construction of the wellbore from the reservoir to the surface, and the elapsed time since the well is brought online. This rate of production typically falls over time as the natural reservoir pressure declines and becomes insufficient to bring oil to the surface. This decline is particularly steep for shale wells found in onshore North American oil and natural gas basins.

Artificial lift and production optimization technologies are essential to counteracting this decline, increasing production rates, and maximizing hydrocarbon recovery, all of which improve the economics of a producing well. Artificial lift enables the economic production of oil and natural gas from shale wells that would be otherwise uneconomic. As a result, operating expenses associated with production optimization are less discretionary in nature, placing our solutions on a critical path for producers to generate positive returns and maximize the value of their wells. Furthermore, the production phase is the most stable and least capital-intensive phase of the well lifecycle, driving consistent revenue, durable earnings and stable through-cycle performance for our business. Our products are chosen due to their reliability and ability to aid our customers in achieving maximum output and cash flow from their producing wells. Our products and services also integrate proprietary digital technologies that allow for remote monitoring and other enhanced uses of our equipment.

 

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Our VRUs and other methane abatement solutions capture fugitive emissions of methane, which is a natural byproduct of oil production. As oil flows to the surface and is processed at the wellsite, methane is released as associated gas. Since methane is a very small molecule, much of it escapes as fugitive emissions. In addition, many sources of potential methane emissions exist throughout the natural gas value chain. By capturing these fugitive emissions, our VRUs and other methane abatement solutions allow for monetization of the resulting incremental natural gas volumes and enable our customers to meet their decarbonization goals and comply with regulatory requirements. These innovative and proprietary methane abatement solutions extend across each of our core technologies and can be used on their own as well as in conjunction with our other products and services. Demand for these solutions was initially driven by safety benefits, but accelerated as producers became more aware of the value of monetizing captured vapors, leading to high return on investment outcomes for our customers. Due to recent and emerging regulatory requirements aimed at reducing fugitive methane emissions across oil and natural gas operations from numerous Federal and state-level entities, operating expenses associated with our methane abatement solutions have become increasingly required and therefore non-discretionary in nature. We hold a leading position in the rapidly growing VRU market, which is driven by both economic and environmental benefits, and we have helped drive adoption of our methane abatement solutions with our customers.

 

LOGO

We have an operating presence in every major onshore oil and natural gas producing region in the U.S. and have cultivated deep and longstanding customer relationships with leading oil and natural gas producers in each region, including supermajors and large independent producers. We are headquartered in Houston, Texas with major service facilities in Midland, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; and Williston, North Dakota. We operate manufacturing and repair facilities in El Reno, Oklahoma; Houston, Fort Worth, Kilgore and Pampa, Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana. Our service centers are geographically positioned near our customers’ operations, enabling us to rapidly deploy our solutions and provide responsive, high-quality service nationwide. We had approximately 1,270 full-time employees as of September 30, 2024.

Our business currently operates under two segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies.

Production Solutions.  We design and deliver products and services that enable our customers to optimize oil and natural gas production rates and volumes to maximize cash flow over the decades-long lives of their wells.

 

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We provide systems applicable to wells from initial production through their natural decline to late-life production, as well as digital technologies that enable the optimization of our systems’ performance and uptime. We also provide methane abatement solutions that enable our customers to capture and monetize fugitive methane emissions, improving the profitability of their wells and their compliance with recent and forthcoming emissions-related regulatory requirements. On a given well, our customers often use three of our production solutions offerings concurrently, utilizing our digital technologies and methane abatement solutions in conjunction with HPGL, conventional gas lift or plunger lift. Furthermore, in many instances, our customers utilize all of our production solutions over the life of a well, as our HPGL transitions to conventional gas lift in mid-stage production, which transitions to plunger lift in later-stage production. In some instances, customers install conventional gas lift components such as side-pocket mandrels at the same time as HPGL, even though the former may not be used for more than a year. We believe our integrated scope of services throughout the life of the well promotes retention and long-term partnerships with our customers. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, this segment contributed $327.8 million, or 60% of our pro forma revenue. Our production solutions include:

 

 

High Pressure Gas Lift.  HPGL systems are placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore. These systems are typically installed when a well is initially brought online and utilized for the first one to two years of the well’s life. High pressure gas injected deep in the well lightens the liquid column, enabling the flow of oil from the formation into the wellbore at flow rates significantly higher than what is otherwise possible. We believe our HPGL systems can deliver the same, or better, production rates when compared to electric submersible pump (“ESP”) systems, which are commonly used for the initial phase of a well’s production. We developed HPGL technology to address several issues in shale well production which became apparent when the shales emerged as a major new source of oil and which can impact the reliability of ESPs. HPGL is designed to operate effectively over a wide range of production rates and to be resilient to produced sand. The rapid decline rates and sand production typical of shale wells can lead to failure of ESP systems, resulting in lost production and a costly intervention and replacement of downhole components. Unlike ESPs, HPGL requires no downhole components beyond the tubing string that is installed on all unconventional wells. The system is entirely controlled and accessible from the surface, leading to improved uptime and return on investment for the producer. HPGL units are provided to customers under contracts which are typically renewed multiple times. We believe the high level of contract renewal is due to the high reliability of our systems and our high levels of customer service.

 

 

Conventional Gas Lift.  Conventional gas lift systems utilize surface systems placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore via a series of specifically tuned downhole valves. Conventional gas lift is typically installed after HPGL and utilized in the mid- to late-stage of a well’s producing life. We are the only company capable of providing a comprehensive, customized conventional gas lift system since we provide both surface gas lift systems and high-precision downhole valves, mandrels and gauges. Over the life of the well, we work closely with our customers to modify both the surface and downhole equipment to optimize the value of the well as conditions change. This process of technical consultation and provision of new services and products continues throughout the life of the well, which may span a decade or more.

 

 

Plunger Lift.  We sell proprietary plunger lift systems that use the well’s natural energy to lift produced liquids to surface. These systems first allow the well’s natural pressure to build and then release the pressure into production equipment at surface, then repeat the cycle. The periodic release of pressure lifts produced liquids to surface, enabling the production of both oil and natural gas. Plunger lift systems are typically installed on wells that have already been producing for multiple years. In many instances, customers transition from our conventional gas lift systems to our plunger lift systems, often as a direct result of our

 

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life-of-well integrated solutions. In recent years, plunger usage has increased due to new designs that have widened its applicability, further enhanced by our digital solutions that can optimize the timing of the process. As a result, we are seeing increased adoption of our plunger lift solutions and displacement of rod lift. We sell plunger lift systems to our customers both upon initial installation of a plunger lift system and thereafter as these multi-year solutions require routine maintenance and replacement of key components. Applicability of our plunger lift systems has also expanded with the development of hybrid systems combining gas and plunger lift: plunger-assisted gas lift (“PAGL”); and gas-assisted plunger lift (“GAPL”). In these applications, the build-up of formation gas pressure is supplemented with surface equipment that we also provide for conventional gas lift applications.

 

 

Digital Solutions.  We employ innovative and proprietary digital solutions to enhance the performance of our various Production Solutions segment offerings, enabling our customers to improve their oil and gas well economics by making more informed and timely operational decisions. Our proprietary Vizion downhole gauges are designed to operate in extreme downhole conditions, providing producers with accurate real-time information about the well, reservoir and lift system to improve critical decision making. Our remote monitoring solutions allow our customers to remotely monitor and optimize production across their well pads. Our automation solutions easily integrate with our gauges, devices and control systems to enable producers to effectively and efficiently operate their wells.

 

 

Methane Abatement Technologies.  We also manufacture and install proprietary methane abatement technologies that allow producers to reduce fugitive methane emissions associated with their wellsite operations. Marketed under our ZTECH4 brand name, these include Sentry, our bolt-on emissions reduction technology that can be retrofitted to compressor packages; and Vault, our natural gas recycling system that reduces the need to flare or vent methane during maintenance. In all cases, our methane abatement technologies enable the operator to monetize valuable methane and to meet their decarbonization goals.

Natural Gas Technologies.  We design and manufacture products and provide services that allow our customers to optimize cash flow related to natural gas production and monetize or utilize fugitive emissions related to producing oil and natural gas wells and other emissions-prone operations. We also provide ancillary and complementary products and services, as well as develop and sell related digital solutions in connection with these technologies. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, this segment contributed $219.5 million, or 40% of our pro forma revenue. Our natural gas technologies include:

 

 

Vapor Recovery.  We manufacture, rent, sell and service VRU systems that capture fugitive natural gas vapors through a specialized system stationed on a well pad or in proximity to any methane emissions-prone component in the natural gas and unconventional oil value chains. The fugitive vapors are then compressed and typically delivered into the sales line for monetization by the customer or can be returned downhole to assist with artificial lift or production optimization. Our VRU systems employ digital applications that provide real-time data monitoring, predictive maintenance analytics and remote control, driving uptime and cash flows for our customers and preserving and maintaining our VRU assets. We offer most of our VRU systems on a contracted basis to our customers. We believe we have a high rate of contract renewal and long-term deployments due to the high reliability of our systems and our high levels of customer service. In addition, when requested, we will also sell systems directly to customers.

 

 

Natural Gas Systems.  We manufacture natural gas systems at our domestic facilities. We focus on packaging systems tailored to production optimization applications, including those provided by our

 

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Production Solutions segment. In addition to manufacturing units for our own use in our Production Solutions segment, we also sell these systems directly to traditional contract systems service providers.

 

LOGO

We leverage our domestic manufacturing capabilities to ensure delivery of high-quality products with industry-best reliability and uptime, as well as to reduce our exposure to global supply chains. Our vertically integrated business model reduces the capital intensity associated with maintaining and growing our fleet of service equipment by capturing the manufacturing margin, reducing lead times of equipment deliveries and enabling us to optimize our inventory levels. This improves payback periods across most of our major product categories and streamlines commercialization of new innovations being incorporated into our Production Solutions segment. We believe that our control of these processes allows us to optimize inventory levels and to our customers’ evolving needs, while also facilitating innovation and improvements to our solutions offerings.

We supply critical equipment and services to the top oil and natural gas producers, who rely on our expertise to optimize the flow of oil and natural gas for the decades after wells have been drilled and completed. As producers further consolidate, we expect they will continue to manage capital expenditures related to their drilling and completion programs while focusing on optimizing and maximizing the value of their production streams. Our revenue generation is diversified across a wide range of customers. Our top ten customer accounts represent approximately 51% of our total pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. We have strong relationships with our key customers, and given our market leadership in our main segments, we have successfully worked with our customers to bring new solutions to market. Our differentiated products and services drive superior returns for our customers and have facilitated strong and lasting relationships with our diversified customer base.

We have a long history and successful track record of innovation and high-quality service to our customers. Flowco’s two business segments are underpinned by well-known and established brands with reputations for superior performance and reliability. These brands include (i) Estis; (ii) Flowco Production Solutions; and (iii) Flogistix. Estis was founded in 2002 as a leader in compression and artificial lift technologies serving the HPGL and traditional gas lift markets. Flowco Production Solutions was founded in 2014 as a leader in gas lift and other artificial lift solutions with a comprehensive offering of gas lift and plunger lift products. Flogistix was founded in 2011 as a premier production optimization and atmospheric solutions provider with an emphasis on vapor recovery solutions. The three brands were combined in June 2024 to create Flowco as a pure play market leader for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions. By uniting the three companies, we can offer comprehensive solutions that enable our customers to maximize cash flow over the decades-long lives of their wells.

Competitive Strengths

Our objective is to create value for our stockholders by serving as the leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions that help our customers maximize production and

 

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profit at the wellhead through a comprehensive offering of proprietary products and services. We believe that the following strengths differentiate us from our peers and position us well to execute on our strategy.

Pure play market leader for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement

We are a leading production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions provider to producers in every major onshore U.S. oil and natural gas producing region. We are solely focused on this segment of the market and our capital allocation strategy allows us to pursue product development and growth in response to planned and emerging customer demands. We design, manufacture, sell, rent and service products engineered to enable our customers to maximize the value of their assets by optimizing production through the life of their producing oil and natural gas wells. Because our products and services are focused on optimizing oil and natural gas well production throughout a well’s life and driven by our customers’ non-discretionary operating expenditures over the multi-decade lifecycle of their wells, rather than cycle-driven capital expenditure budgets for drilling and completions, we are positioned to generate highly durable earnings. Our products are sold under a collection of premier brands with strong recognition and reputations for superior performance and reliability.

Differentiated technologies and services drive superior returns for our customers

We have built our business through a focus on new product innovation and the development of leading technologies. Our HPGL solutions, a technology that we pioneered in partnership with one of our leading customers, accelerate initial production of oil-producing wells. We believe HPGL is a more reliable alternative to other methods of high-flow artificial lift, including ESP systems, as it has no electrical or moving downhole parts and it eliminates downhole failures which lead to lost production and substantial intervention and pump replacement costs, thereby maximizing producers’ cash flow and return on capital employed. Our vapor recovery systems and methane abatement solutions allow for the safe capture and monetization of high value natural gas that would otherwise be vented or flared, providing a meaningful uplift to our customers’ gas production stream cash flows. In addition, these systems assist our customers to meet tightening emissions regulations and their decarbonization goals. We have made continuous improvements to our plunger lift system design that maximize efficient and economical production for our customers’ wells, positioning our plunger lift solutions as an attractive option for wells in more mature stages of production and which are displacing rod lift for many applications. We believe our product offerings within each of these categories hold leading market positions due to their superior performance, industry-leading reliability and high return on investment for our customers. Our leading fleet mechanical availability across the breadth of our installed equipment further differentiates us as the preferred partner for many of our customers due to the significant costs of failure and downtime for those systems. Our digital and automation technologies further enhance customer outcomes through real time remote monitoring, valuable analytics and remote operations capabilities that help to optimize production and improve operational safety and efficiency. Furthermore, we have an active pipeline of potential new and differentiated technologies across various stages of development to further enhance our existing offerings so that we may continue to play an important role in partnership with our customers.

Broad scope of production services distinguishes us from our competitors and supports retention and long-term partnership with our customers

While our technology offerings individually provide considerable value for our customers on their own, we believe our broad scope of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions and our ability to provide seamless service transition across the decades-long lifecycle of a well drives retention and supports long-term partnerships with our customers. Additionally, upstream consolidation is driving customer demand for providers of highly reliable and comprehensive solutions that enable them to optimize the cash

 

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flow of their asset base. We believe that our ability to integrate our services and facilitate cost-effective and operationally seamless transitions of our solutions offerings during the long producing lives of wells distinguishes Flowco from our competitors, positioning us as a preferred partner for our customers.

Cash flows driven by our customers’ recurring production operating expenditures rather than short-term drilling and completion capital expenditures

We believe that our focus on oil and natural gas production, rather than drilling and completion, places us on the critical path to maximize the value of our customers’ wells. Our revenues are generated across the long life of a producing well, which after being drilled and completed over several weeks, may remain on production for decades. Furthermore, unlike the drilling and completions markets, which have been volatile in recent years, the more attractive domestic artificial lift market, which is driven by non-discretionary operating expenditures, has grown significantly as producers increasingly focus on production optimization and artificial lift as an enabler for their unconventional reservoir development and a catalyst for improved output from producing wells, which leads to more durable cash flow generation for our business, even in cyclical market scenarios.

Vertically integrated supply chain drives technology implementation and delivers industry leading margins and returns

We operate a vertically integrated business model across all of our product categories which drives our technology leadership and further enhances our competitiveness with regard to reliability, performance and capital investment. We domestically manufacture our core technologies including HPGL and VRU, as well as our traditional surface gas lift systems, gas lift valves, mandrels, plunger lift systems and other products. Our commitment to domestic manufacturing minimizes the risk of delays or quality issues inherent with international and domestic third-party vendors. Additionally, coupled with our experience in developing innovative technological solutions, our vertically integrated supply chain gives us the ability to rapidly refine and advance changes to product design or address customer-specific requests. We believe our vertically integrated supply chain reduces our rental fleet capital expenditures by capturing manufacturing margin, underpins our industry-leading margins, and coupled with the long useful lives and low maintenance capital requirements of our assets, drives our leading returns and free cash flow profile. Moreover, our digital-enabled solutions support optimized operations with real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, further supporting performance and reliability for our products and extending the useful lives of our assets over multiple decades. We believe we are uniquely positioned in the market as an attractive option for our stockholders to participate in continued growth in our core business characterized by attractive free cash flow and returns.

High quality and diverse customer base of leading oil and natural gas producers across every major onshore producing region in the U.S.

Our platform serves substantially all of the top U.S. oil and natural gas producers. These well-capitalized producers provide reliable continuing cash flows, as well as significant opportunities for further growth across our product and service offering. We believe as producers further consolidate, they will continue to focus on optimizing and maximizing the value of their production streams, while exercising capital discipline in drilling and completion programs. Also, as a result of this consolidation, producers will increasingly gravitate toward full-cycle, comprehensive solutions such as those that we offer. Our revenue generation is well diversified across a wide range of customers. Our largest customer during the year ended December 31, 2023 represents approximately 8% of our total pro forma revenue for the period, and our top ten customers comprise approximately 51% of our total pro forma revenue for the same period. Our differentiated products and

 

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services have driven superior returns for our customers due to their performance and reliability and have facilitated high retention and low churn with our diversified customer base. We have strong and lasting relationships with our key customers, and given our market leadership in our main segments, we have successfully partnered with our customers to bring new solutions to market. Our products and services are utilized across all major onshore oil and natural gas producing regions in the U.S.

Best-in-industry technical capabilities drive continuous improvement and robust technology pipeline

We leverage our leading technical expertise to make continuous improvements to our suite of proprietary and digital-enabled technologies and solutions, further supported by data collection from our industry-leading installed base of operating equipment. The enhanced application of our products and services through real-time monitoring, actionable analytics, automation and remote operations helps our customers maximize the value of our solutions through safe and efficient operations due to their durability and reliability, which is born out through rigorous testing in accordance with stringent performance standards. We also own a significant portfolio of patents, trademarks, licenses and other intellectual property that underpins our suite of innovative solutions. Furthermore, we have an active pipeline of new differentiated technologies across various stages of development that will add value for the customer through optimized production while helping them decarbonize their operations. We believe our customers will continue to adopt automation to drive productivity and efficiency in the coming years. Digital technology has become increasingly important as producers seek to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and natural gas recovery and profitability throughout the well lifecycle.

Highly experienced management team that has driven substantial value creation for stakeholders in past endeavors

Our highly experienced management team is focused on the operational success of the Company and driving leading returns generation as their interests are aligned with those of investors and customers. The team is led by Joe Bob Edwards, who serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. With over 26 years in energy private equity, Mr. Edwards brings significant experience across a broad group of energy-focused businesses to his role leading the Company. Additionally, the leadership team is comprised of executives that have long tenure with their respective businesses and are invested in the growth outlook of Flowco, including John Gatlin (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer), Jon Byers (Chief Financial Officer), Chad Roberts (Executive Vice President, Production Solutions), and Mims Talton (Executive Vice President, Natural Gas Technologies). Collectively, our management team has deep industry, operational, managerial and financial experience required to effectively manage the Company and enable it to capitalize on business opportunities. With a proven ability to generate through-cycle returns, our team has been responsible for developing our business and executing our success to date. Additionally, our principal stockholders, Global Energy Capital and White Deer Energy, have proven track records growing companies throughout the energy value chain with a focus on the energy services sector. After giving effect to this initial public offering, management and other employees will have a    % beneficial ownership interest in the Company.

Substantial fleet of service equipment with long useful lives, low maintenance capital requirements and low customer churn drive earnings durability and support strong returns

Several of our service lines include an installed base of equipment that are provided to our customers under term contracts. The majority of our surface systems, including HPGL and conventional gas lift systems, as well as our vapor recovery units, are long-lived assets that require minimal ongoing maintenance expenditures and

 

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are deployed for long durations in connection with services to our customers. The breadth of our core technologies enables us to offer our customers solutions that seamlessly transition across the full well lifecycle and changing production profile. Based on the design and operating footprint of our solutions, progressing to other Flowco solutions along the life of the well minimizes switching costs resulting from changing providers and reduces downtime and costs associated with requiring intervention to support such transitions, ultimately improving the cash flow of our customers. This dynamic, bolstered by the enhanced performance and reliability of our solutions, drives customer retention, long-duration deployments and visibility into stable cash flows for our business.

Strong balance sheet provides ample access to capital and flexibility to support our strategic objectives

We believe that maintaining a strong balance sheet provides ample access to capital and financial and operational flexibility which enable us to achieve our strategic objectives. Access to liquidity and conservative leverage has supported our growth through prior industry cycles by allowing us to invest in our human capital and our continuous pursuit of improvement to our production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions, while also ensuring our high service quality standards are maintained. We believe that our cash flow, liquidity and leverage profile will allow us to meet our organic growth objectives in the near term. Our focus on our financial strength and flexibility through preserving a prudent balance sheet also enables us to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities.

Business Strategies

We intend to achieve our primary business objectives by successfully executing on the following strategies.

Pursue continued growth in our core markets of production solutions and natural gas technologies

We are a pure play production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions provider to the largest oil and natural gas producers in the U.S. We intend to maintain and strengthen our market leading position through continuous product and service offering improvements and a focus on driving superior returns for our customers in their efforts to maximize the profitability and economic lifespans of their producing wells. Through our broad suite of solutions within our Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies segments, we are uniquely positioned to serve all of our customers’ requirements in these key disciplines. We expect the demand for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions to continue to rise, and many of our customers are currently utilizing Flowco products in one or more but not all of our product categories. We believe there is ample opportunity for us to accelerate growth in our business by capturing additional revenue with key customers through cross-selling of additional Flowco products and services in the near-term.

Focus on generating superior returns and a stockholder-first capital allocation strategy

Our commitment to superior returns, reinforced by our management team’s meaningful ownership in the business, is reflected in our industry-leading returns. We intend to maintain our pursuit of maximizing total stockholder return through a comprehensive capital allocation strategy, including organic growth, M&A and dividends. Each capital allocation decision will be viewed through the lens of enhancing stockholder returns. In addition to our organic growth strategy, we intend to opportunistically pursue inorganic growth through disciplined sourcing and evaluation of M&A opportunities. Any potential acquisitions will focus on providing complementary solutions or capabilities that offer a strong strategic or synergistic fit and that will enable us to

 

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generate accretive value to our customers without impairing our profitability, cash flow profile or balance sheet strength. Flowco has an impressive and well-documented history of returning cash to investors through distributions while maintaining low leverage. We expect to initiate a dividend program upon going public.

Focus on serving customer production optimization needs for the full lifecycle of their wells

Through our broad suite of efficiency-driven solutions for optimizing uptime and profitability, we are uniquely positioned to serve customers across their operating geographies and throughout the decades-long lives of their wells. The scope of our product offerings and exclusive focus on the production phase of the well lifecycle allows us to work with customers to provide optimal solutions both as their well production profiles change over time and through continuous product innovation. We strategically target the production phase, as it is the most stable and least capital-intensive phase of the well lifecycle. By targeting products and services in this phase, we have achieved greater durability of revenue, cash flow and through-cycle performance for our business. This focus has also resulted in improved consistency and greater visibility into revenue and stability of cash flow generation due to exposure to customers’ ongoing and non-discretionary operating expense budgets, as opposed to capital expense budgets. Unlike drilling and completion activities, which can be measured in weeks, wells produce oil and natural gas for many decades. Our products and services are chosen by our customers due to their reliability and ability to achieve maximum output from their wells, in addition to assisting them with their decarbonization efforts through monetization and use of fugitive gas emissions.

Pursue disciplined growth in the U.S. by continuing to expand our addressable market through innovation and increased penetration in our key product lines

We expect to grow our presence in the U.S. by capitalizing on important trends in the oil and natural gas industry that play to our strengths. Gas lift, including HPGL, is seeing increasing adoption as oil and gas producers are increasingly concerned about the reliability of their artificial lift systems. We believe gas lift is more reliable than ESPs due to having fewer electrical and moving parts downhole, which leads to a superior value proposition through the elimination of downhole failures which result in lost production and substantial intervention and pump replacement costs. Furthermore, when compared with ESPs, gas lift systems are generally more tolerant of high temperatures and pressures, better suited for handling sand and other solids, more resilient to changing well conditions and easier to maintain. We currently serve a significant portion of the addressed HPGL market and intend to uphold our market leading position as we continue to grow into the largely unaddressed total addressable market (“TAM”). Oil and natural gas producers are also increasingly motivated to capture previously vented methane through the use of our VRUs, due to both economic and regulatory incentives. We were instrumental in helping our customers realize and adopt this technology and we expect to see further adoption by oil and natural gas producers. We believe we are the largest provider serving the largely unaddressed North American market for VRUs. Importantly, the growth outlook for gas lift and VRU demand is not dependent on drilling and completion activity. We are also well-positioned to achieve growth in our methane abatement solutions as industries beyond oil and natural gas producers, such as the midstream, refining and downstream industries and adjacent emissions-prone industries such as waste, ammonia and agriculture, seek to address their emissions challenges across their value chains.

Leverage our vertically integrated supply chain to continuously innovate and invest in production optimization solutions and maximize our returns

We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our vertically integrated supply chain to continue our strong track record of innovation and rapid product development, and to enhance our profitability and returns. Our

 

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commitment to continuous improvement across our core product suite spurs new product initiatives both internally and while working closely with our customers throughout the product lifecycle. Many of our products are installed and on location with customers for months or years at a time, leading to abundant data and feedback from customers on product performance, outcomes and improvement opportunities. For example, we pioneered the HPGL technology in 2017 alongside one of our key customers in our conventional gas lift market. Today, HPGL has become a preferred alternative to ESPs due to the elimination of downhole equipment failures, which lead to lost production and intervention and pump replacement costs associated with ESP usage. Additionally, our VRUs offer increased safety and economic value capture while making meaningful emissions reductions at the wellhead. While many of our customers initially sought to employ VRUs due to environmental and decarbonization goals, they now leverage VRUs as an economic driver to monetize fugitive emissions with high value gas vapors. As customer demand grows, our domestic manufacturing footprint can support additional scale while mitigating risks associated with sourcing important components, enabling us to capture manufacturing margin and enhance return on our service equipment. We have also strategically positioned our operations near some of the most prolific oil and natural gas plays in the U.S. This enables us to responsively deploy products and services based on market needs to the most significant areas of active oil and natural gas production across the U.S., which maximizes customer uptime and ensures high-quality service.

Partner with our customers to accelerate and enhance the effectiveness of their methane abatement efforts

We continually seek opportunities to enhance our partnerships with customers by innovating and developing methane abatement solutions that help them to optimize the profitability of their production operations, by monetizing their fugitive gas emissions while also supporting their compliance with recent and emerging regulatory requirements. To minimize methane emissions, we provide vapor recovery systems to capture and monetize natural gas and volatile organic compounds during the separation and storage of oil, natural gas and produced water from operating reservoirs, precluding the need to vent or flare these valuable hydrocarbons. We also provide solutions to reduce fugitive emissions from the operations and maintenance of compressors used in oil and natural gas operations. The value proposition of our solutions is reinforced by our data-driven digital offerings, which optimize the performance of equipment at the wellsite and help our customers quantify their economic and environmental benefits. In addition to addressing the growing demand for methane abatement solutions from the oil and natural gas industry, we intend to expand and adapt our portfolio of proprietary emissions solutions to scale our value proposition to customers downstream of the wellsite, such as the midstream and refining industries, as well as adjacent high-emission industries such as waste, ammonia and agriculture.

Drive superior outcomes by attracting and retaining best-in-class personnel and maintaining a strong innovation and customer-focused culture

Our industry leadership and expertise are underpinned by a strong entrepreneurial culture of customer-driven innovation and service and our ability to attract and retain best-in-class talent and leaders. We have attracted, and expect to continue to attract, some of the most experienced and well-respected managers, technical personnel and service professionals in the industry. Our senior management team has extensive operational, financial and managerial experience in businesses operating across multiple stages of the well lifecycle. We will continue to invest in securing and developing top talent at all organizational levels. Our people are a key component of our mission to continue to deliver innovative efficiency-driven solutions and profitability for our customers.

 

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Recent Developments

2024 Business Combination

On June 20, 2024, Flowco LLC acquired 100% of the membership interests of each of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate. We refer to these business combinations as the “2024 Business Combination.” In connection with the 2024 Business Combination, the FPS Member also contributed substantially all of its assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to Flowco LLC. As a result of the 2024 Business Combination, our Original Equity Owners acquired the following ownership interest in Flowco LLC:

 

 

GEC Estis Holdings, LLC (i.e., Estis Member) — 51%;

 

 

Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (i.e., FPS Member) — 26%; and

 

 

Flogistix Holdings, LLC (i.e., Flogistix Member) — 23%.

The Estis Member and FPS Member are affiliates of GEC Advisors LLC (“GEC”) and its controlling member, Jonathan B. Fairbanks. The Flogistix Member is an affiliate of White Deer.

In connection with the Transactions, and immediately prior to the consummation of this offering, GEC and White Deer will effect transactions that result in the distribution of LLC Interests held directly by the Original Equity Owners to their direct or indirect members, including the Continuing Equity Owners and the Blocker Shareholders that will remain affiliates of GEC and White Deer. In connection with such distribution of LLC Interests, Flowco LLC will repurchase and redeem LLC Interests assigned to certain non-management employees. See “Use of Proceeds.”

2024 Credit Agreement

On August 20, 2024, our wholly owned subsidiaries Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions LLC, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, and other loan parties (collectively, the “Loan Parties”) entered into a first lien credit agreement which provides for a $700 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended to date, the “Credit Agreement”). On November 27, 2024, the Loan Parties entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement which increased the aggregate revolving commitment to $725 million. The Credit Agreement continues our Prior Estis Credit Facility (as defined below), and borrowings were used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under our prior Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate credit agreements. For additional information regarding the Credit Agreement, please see “Description of Indebtedness—Credit Agreement.”

Stockholders Agreement

Under the Stockholders Agreement, (i) GEC will have the right to designate two (2) of our directors, or the “GEC Directors,” for as long as GEC and its affiliates (the “GEC Affiliates”) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 20% of our issued and outstanding Class A common stock (assuming that all outstanding LLC Interests in Flowco LLC are redeemed for newly issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis) (our “Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares”), and if at any time the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than 20% and at least 10% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will have the right to designate one (1) of our directors as a GEC Director, and (ii) White Deer will have the right to designate one (1) of our directors, or the “White Deer Director,” which will be the White Deer Director for as long as White Deer beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, at least 10% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares. The initial directors upon the consummation of this offering will be Jonathan B. Fairbanks and Alexander Chmelev, as the GEC Directors, Ben A. Guill, as the White Deer Director, Joseph R. Edwards, our CEO, and three independent directors mutually agreed by GEC and White Deer.

 

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Following the consummation of this offering, (i) for so long as the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 30% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will also be entitled to designate for nomination by the board of directors (the “Board”) in any applicable election, that number of individuals who satisfy specified NYSE and SEC independence requirements (the “Independence Requirements”), which, assuming all such individuals are successfully elected to the board, when taken together with any incumbent independent director initially designated at the closing of this offering or subsequently designated for nomination by GEC (an “Independent Director”) not standing for election in such election, would result in there being at least three (3) Independent Directors on the Board (and to designate for nomination by the Board in any applicable election any other directors intended to qualify as Independent Directors), and (ii) if at any time, the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than 30% but at least 20% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will be entitled to designate for nomination by the Board in any applicable election that number of individuals who each satisfy the Independence Requirements, which, assuming all such individuals are successfully elected to the Board, when taken together with any incumbent Independent Director not standing for election in such election, would result in there being two (2) Independent Director serving on the Board. Individuals designated by GEC as Independent Directors do not count against the number of GEC Directors that may be designated. GEC is not entitled to designate any individuals as Independent Directors if at any time the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 20% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares.

Under the Stockholders Agreement, GEC and White Deer will also have special consent rights with respect to certain actions by the company and its subsidiaries as long as GEC Affiliates or White Deer Affiliates, respectively, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares.

For additional information regarding the Stockholder Agreement, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transaction—Stockholder Agreement.”

Summary Risk Factors

Participating in this offering involves substantial risk. Our ability to execute our strategy is also subject to certain risks. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus may cause us not to realize the full benefits of our strengths or may cause us to be unable to successfully execute all or part of our strategy. Some of the most significant challenges and risks we face include the following:

 

 

trends in crude oil and natural gas prices may affect production-related activities and production-related operating expenditures by our customers, and therefore the demand for, and profitability of, our products and services;

 

 

decreased expenditures by our customers can adversely impact our customers’ demand for our products and services and our revenue;

 

 

our operations could be adversely affected by global market and economic conditions in ways we may not be able to predict or control;

 

 

we could lose customers or generate lower revenue, operating profits and cash flows if there are significant increases in the cost of raw materials or if we are unable to obtain raw materials;

 

 

the loss of one or more significant customers could have an adverse impact on our financial results;

 

 

investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels and other Environmental, Social and Governance matters could adversely affect our access to and cost of capital and stock price;

 

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the inability to protect or obtain patent and other intellectual property rights could adversely affect our revenue, operating profits and cash flows;

 

 

federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to oil and gas development and the potential for related litigation could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays for our customers, which could reduce demand for our products;

 

 

we and our customers are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws and regulations that may increase our costs, limit the demand for our products and services or restrict our operations;

 

 

tariffs and other trade measures could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows;

 

 

following this offering, GEC and White Deer will collectively control us, and each of them will individually have significant influence over us, including control over decisions that require the approval of stockholders; and

 

 

we have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect our business and share price.

Before you invest in our Class A common stock, you should carefully consider all the information in this prospectus, including matters set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Summary of the Transactions

Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed on July 25, 2024 and is the issuer of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. Prior to this offering, all of our business operations have been conducted through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Prior to the Transactions, we expect there will initially be one holder of common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco LLC. We will consummate the following organizational transactions in connection with this offering:

 

 

we will amend and restate the existing limited liability company agreement of Flowco LLC, which will become effective substantially concurrently with or prior to the consummation of this offering, to, among other things: (i) recapitalize all existing ownership interests in Flowco LLC into LLC Interests; and (ii) issue a non-economic member interest and appoint Flowco Holdings Inc. as the sole managing member of Flowco LLC upon its acquisition of LLC Interests in connection with this offering;

 

 

we will amend and restate Flowco Holdings Inc.’s certificate of incorporation to, among other things, provide: (i) for Class A common stock, with each share of our Class A common stock entitling its holder to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally; and (ii) for Class B common stock, with each share of our Class B common stock entitling its holder to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally, and that shares of our Class B common stock may only be held by the Continuing Equity Owners and their respective permitted transferees as described in “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Class B Common Stock;”

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will acquire, directly or indirectly, the LLC Interests held by certain of the existing indirect owners of Flowco LLC, by means of one or more mergers or otherwise, including mergers of the Blocker Companies, in exchange for      shares of our Class A common stock;

 

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we will issue      shares of our Class B common stock to the Continuing Equity Owners, which is equal to the number of LLC Interests held by such Continuing Equity Owners, for nominal consideration;

 

 

we will issue      shares of our Class A common stock to the purchasers in this offering (or      shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) in exchange for net proceeds of approximately $   million (or approximately $   million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

 

we will use the net proceeds from this offering to purchase       newly issued LLC Interests (or       LLC Interests if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) directly from Flowco LLC at a price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

 

Flowco LLC intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of LLC Interests to Flowco Holdings Inc. to: (i) repay indebtedness under our Credit Agreement; (ii) to redeem approximately $   million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share) from non-management employees; and (iii) for general corporate purposes, in each case, as described under “Use of Proceeds;” and

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will enter into: (i) the Stockholders Agreement with GEC, White Deer and certain of their affiliates; (ii) the Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Continuing Equity Owners and Blocker Shareholders; and (iii) the Tax Receivable Agreement with Flowco LLC and each of the TRA Participants. For a description of the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions (including this offering):

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company and its principal asset will consist of the LLC Interests it acquires directly from Flowco LLC and indirectly from the Blocker Shareholders;

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be the sole managing member of Flowco LLC and will control the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries;

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will own,       LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or       LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

 

GEC Affiliates (directly and indirectly including through certain Blocker Shareholders) will own (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holding’s common stock and approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), (ii) directly through the GEC Affiliates’ ownership of LLC Interests and indirectly through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic

 

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interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and (iii)      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the shares of Class A common stock,  %) of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the shares of Class A common stock,  %) if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

 

White Deer Affiliates (directly and indirectly including through certain Blocker Shareholders) will own (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holding’s common stock and approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), (ii) directly through the White Deer Affiliates’ ownership of LLC Interests and indirectly through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and (iii)      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the shares of Class A common stock,  %) of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the shares of Class A common stock,  %) if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

 

The Continuing Equity Owners (excluding GEC Affiliates and White Deer Affiliates) will collectively own: (i)      LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or      LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock); and (ii) shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock); and

 

 

the purchasers in this offering will own: (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock and approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock); and (ii) through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, indirectly will hold approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock).

As the sole managing member of Flowco LLC, we will operate and control all of the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and, through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, conduct our business. Following the Transactions, including this offering, Flowco Holdings Inc. will have a minority economic interest in Flowco LLC, but will control the management of Flowco LLC as its sole managing member. As a result, Flowco Holdings

 

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Inc. will consolidate Flowco LLC and record a significant non-controlling interest in a consolidated entity in Flowco Holdings Inc.’s consolidated financial statements for the economic interest in Flowco LLC held by the Continuing Equity Owners.

For more information regarding the Transactions and our structure, see “Our Organizational Structure.”

Ownership Structure

The diagram below depicts our organizational structure after giving effect to the Transactions, including this offering, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock.

LOGO

 

(1)   Investors in this offering will hold approximately  % of the combined voting power of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock).

After giving effect to the Transactions, including this offering, Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company whose principal asset will consist of  % of the outstanding LLC Interests of Flowco LLC (or  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock). The resulting ownership interests of the Continuing Equity Owners and certain affiliates will be  % of the outstanding LLC Interests of Flowco LLC (or  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock).

 

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Corporate Information

Flowco Holdings Inc., the issuer of the Class A common stock in this offering, was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on July 25, 2024. Our corporate headquarters are located at 1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450, Houston, Texas 77056. Our telephone number is 713-997-4877. Our principal website address is www.flowco-inc.com. The information on any of our websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of certain reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As a result:

 

 

we are required to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure;

 

 

we are not required to engage an auditor to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

 

we are not required to comply with the requirement of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on the financial statements;

 

 

we are not required to submit certain executive compensation matters to stockholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay,” “say-on-frequency” and “say-on-golden parachutes;” and

 

 

we are not required to comply with certain disclosure requirements related to executive compensation, such as the requirement to present a comparison of our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to our median employee compensation.

We may take advantage of these reduced reporting and other requirements until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company, including if we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. We have elected to adopt the reduced requirements with respect to our financial statements and the related selected financial data and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure, including in this prospectus.

In addition, the JOBS Act permits an emerging growth company like us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period. As a result, the information that we provide to stockholders may be different than the information you may receive from other public companies in which you hold equity.

 

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The Offering

 

Issuer

Flowco Holdings Inc.

 

Shares of Class A common stock offered by us

     shares (or      shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).

 

Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us

     shares.                                                                                

 

Shares of Class A common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering(1)

     shares, representing approximately   % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares,    representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock),  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. and  % of the indirect economic interest in Flowco LLC.

 

Shares of Class B common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering

     shares, representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or shares, representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and no economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc.

 

LLC Interests to be held by us immediately after this offering

LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock).

 

LLC Interests to be held directly by the Continuing Equity Owners immediately after this offering

LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock).

 

Ratio of shares of Class A common stock to LLC Interests

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the Flowco LLC Agreement will require that we and Flowco LLC at all times maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class A common stock issued by us and the number of LLC Interests owned by us, except as otherwise determined by us.

 

Ratio of shares of Class B common stock to LLC Interests

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the Flowco LLC Agreement will require that we and Flowco LLC at all times maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class B common stock owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and their respective permitted transferees and

 

(1)   Does not include    restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that we expect to issue to certain directors, officers and other employees in connection with this offering (based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share).

 

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the number of LLC Interests owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and their respective permitted transferees, except as otherwise determined by us. Immediately after the Transactions, the Continuing Equity Owners will together own 100% of the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock.

 

Permitted holders of shares of Class B common stock

Only the Continuing Equity Owners and the permitted transferees of Class B common stock as described in this prospectus will be permitted to hold shares of our Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock are transferable for shares of Class A common stock only together with an equal number of LLC Interests. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions.”

 

Voting rights

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Each share of our Class A common stock entitles its holders to one vote per share and each share of our Class B common stock entitles its holders to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

Redemption rights of holders of LLC Interests

The Continuing Equity Owners may, subject to certain exceptions, from time to time at each of their options require Flowco LLC to redeem all or a portion of their LLC Interests in exchange for, at our election, newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of our Class A common stock for each LLC Interest so redeemed, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement; provided that, at our election, we may effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may, subject to certain exceptions, exercise such redemption right for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions.” Simultaneously with the payment of cash or shares of Class A common stock, as applicable, in connection with a redemption or exchange of LLC Interests pursuant to the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement, a number of shares of our Class B common stock registered in the name of the redeeming or exchanging Continuing Equity Owner will automatically be transferred to the Company and will be cancelled for no consideration on a one-for-one basis with the number of LLC Interests so redeemed or exchanged.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate, based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $   million (or $    million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, and Flowco LLC intends to use such proceeds to: (i) repay indebtedness under the Credit Agreement; (ii) to redeem approximately

 

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$   million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share) from certain non-management employees; and (iii) for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Dividend policy

We currently intend to pay a dividend from available funds and future earnings on our Class A common stock. Because we are a holding company, our ability to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock depends on our receipt of cash distributions from Flowco LLC, and, through Flowco LLC cash distributions and dividends from our other direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends may be restricted by the terms of our Credit Agreement and any future credit agreement or any future debt or preferred equity securities of us or our subsidiaries. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

Controlled company exception

After the consummation of the Transactions, we will be considered a “controlled company” for the purposes of the NYSE rules as GEC, White Deer and their affiliates, as a group, will have more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors. See “Principal Stockholders.” As a “controlled company,” we will not be subject to certain corporate governance requirements, including that: (i) a majority of our board of directors consists of “independent directors,” as defined under the NYSE rules; (ii) we have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; (iii) we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and (iv) we perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees. As a result, we may not have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors, an entirely independent nominating and corporate governance committee, an entirely independent compensation committee or perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees unless and until such time as we are required to do so.

 

Tax receivable agreement

We will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement with the Continuing Equity Owners, the Blocker Shareholders, and other persons from time to time that may become a party thereto (collectively the “TRA Participants”) that will provide for the payment by Flowco Holdings Inc. to the TRA Participants of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that Flowco Holdings Inc. actually realizes (or in some circumstances is deemed to realize) as a result of (i) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (ii) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (as defined above) (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (iii) increases in tax basis resulting from (a) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s (and the Blocker Companies’) purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) future redemptions or exchanges (or deemed exchanges in certain circumstances) of LLC Interests for Class A common stock or cash as described above under “—Redemption rights of holders

 

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of LLC Interests” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC (any resulting tax basis increases, the “Basis Adjustments”); and (iv) certain additional tax benefits arising from payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement” for a discussion of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

Registration rights agreement

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we will, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, agree to register the resale of the shares of our Class A common stock that are issuable to certain of the Continuing Equity Owners in connection with the Transactions. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement” for a discussion of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 26 and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Class A common stock.

 

Trading symbol

We intend to apply to list our Class A common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “FLOC.”

 

Reserved share program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 5% of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus for sale to some of our directors, officers, employees and business associates through a reserved share program, or Reserved Share Program. If these persons purchase reserved shares, it will reduce the number of shares of Class A common stock available for sale to the general public. Any reserved shares of Class A common stock that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. See “Underwriting—Reserved Share Program.”

Unless we indicate otherwise or the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus:

 

 

gives effect to the amendment and restatement of the Flowco LLC Agreement that converts all existing ownership interests in Flowco LLC into      LLC Interests, as well as the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation;

 

 

gives effect to the other Transactions, including the consummation of this offering;

 

 

excludes      shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our Equity and Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”);

 

 

assumes an initial public offering price of $   per share of Class A common stock, which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus; and

 

 

assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us.

Pursuant to the terms of the Existing LLC Agreement, the number of LLC Interests to be redeemed and the number of LLC Interests to be held by Continuing Equity Owners will vary depending on the initial public offering price in this offering. The initial public offering price will also impact the relative allocation of LLC

 

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Interests issued in the Transactions by the respective Original Equity Owners to their members and, in turn, certain limited LLC Interests to be redeemed and the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock issued to the Continuing Equity Owners in the Transactions. Additionally, while the number of shares of Class A common stock being offered hereby to the public will not change, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Class A common stock sold by Flowco Holdings Inc. in this offering due to a change in the initial public offering price will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in the number of LLC Interests purchased by Flowco Holdings Inc. directly from Flowco LLC at a price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering. Therefore, the indirect economic interest in Flowco LLC represented by the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be largely unaffected by the initial public offering price other than based on certain applicable redemptions of equity interests from certain non-management employee members of the Original Equity Owners.

For illustrative purposes only, the table below shows the number of LLC Interests held by Continuing Equity Owners, LLC Interests held by Flowco Holdings Inc., and shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding after giving effect to the Transactions and this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us) at various initial public offering prices:

 

         
     LLC Interests held by
Continuing Equity
Owners
     LLC Interests held
by Flowco Holdings
Inc.
     Class A Common
Stock
     Class B Common
Stock
 

$

           

$

           

$

           

$

           

 

 

For illustrative purposes only, the table below shows the combined voting power in Flowco Holdings Inc. and the combined direct or indirect (in the case of the Continuing Equity Owners, through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests) economic interest in Flowco LLC of certain holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock after giving effect to the Transactions and this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us) at various initial public offering prices:

 

     
     Continuing Equity Owners and Blocker
Shareholders
     Investors in this Offering  
      Voting Power      Economic Interest      Voting Power      Economic Interest  

$

           

$

           

$

           

$

           

 

 

 

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Summary Historical and Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following tables present the summary historical consolidated financial and other data for Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries and the summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial and other data for Flowco Holdings Inc. Flowco LLC, through its predecessor, Estis, is the predecessor of Flowco Holdings Inc. for financial reporting purposes.

The summary historical consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 2024 and 2023, as well as the summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2024 are derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Flowco LLC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The summary historical consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as the summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Flowco LLC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

In Flowco LLC’s management’s opinion, such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments that Flowco LLC’s management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for those periods.

The results of operations for the periods presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. The information set forth below should be read together with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial and other data of Flowco Holdings Inc. presented below have been derived from our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2024 gives effect to the Transactions, including the consummation of this offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, as described in “Our Organizational Structure” and “Use of Proceeds,” as if all such transactions had occurred on January 1, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information includes various estimates which are subject to material change and may not be indicative of what our operations or financial position would have been had this offering and related transactions taken place on the dates indicated, or that may be expected to occur in the future. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” for a complete description of the adjustments and assumptions underlying the summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.

The summary historical consolidated financial and other data of Flowco Holdings Inc. has not been presented because Flowco Holdings Inc. is a newly incorporated entity, has had no business transactions or activities to date and had no assets or liabilities during the periods presented in this section.

 

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Flowco LLC Historical

          Flowco Holdings Inc. Pro Forma  

(Amounts in thousands of

U.S. dollars)

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

2024

   

Nine months ended

September 30,

2023

   

Fiscal Year ended

December 31,

2023

   

Fiscal Year ended
December 31,

2022

         

Period ended

September 30,
2024

   

Fiscal Year ended

December 31,

2023

 
    (unaudited )              (unaudited )      (unaudited ) 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

             

Total revenues

  $ 349,285     $ 167,861     $ 243,323     $ 148,609       $ 547,267     $ 665,311  

Income from operations

    82,823       55,559       78,334       42,704        

Net Income

  $ 57,913     $ 40,028     $ 58,089     $ 32,729       $          $       

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

                             

Net income attributable to Flowco Holdings Inc.

                             

Non-GAAP Financial Data:

             

Net income

  $ 57,913     $ 40,028     $ 58,089     $ 32,729       $          $       

Interest expense

    22,174       14,671       18,956       9,284        

Provision for income taxes

    702       379                    

Depreciation and amortization

    56,502       32,078       43,822       36,206         88,351       109,822  

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA (1)

    137,291       87,156       120,867       78,219        

Transaction related expenses

    3,083                           3,083        

Share-based compensation expense

    509       68       85       493        

Loss on sale of equipment

    727       764       1,170       51         727       1,170  

Loss on debt extinguishment

    221                           221        

Inventory valuation adjustment

    8,052                                 13,057  

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

  $ 149,883     $ 87,988     $ 122,122     $ 78,763       $          $       

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash

  $ 23,124       $     $       $                 

Working Capital

    218,774         60,938       39,867         285,859    

Property, plant and equipment, net

    694,624         292,223       290,917         694,624    

Total assets

    1,605,738         392,088       366,211        

Long-term debt, net

    575,491         235,265       220,029        

Total liabilities

    689,441         258,337       238,134        

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)   Non-GAAP financial measures. See “Basis of Presentation–Non Financial Measures” and “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations–Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding whether to invest in our Class A common stock. The occurrence of any of the events described below could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, reputation, and prospects. In such an event, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are not material may also impair our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Our Business

Trends in crude oil and natural gas prices may affect production-related activities and production-related operating expenditures by our customers, and therefore the demand for, and profitability of, our products and services.

The oil and natural gas industry is cyclical in nature and experiences periodic downturns of varying length and severity. Demand for our products and services is sensitive to the level of operating and capital spending by global oil and natural gas companies, and in particular production-related operating expenditures. The level of production-related operating expenditures is directly affected by trends in crude oil and natural gas prices, which are influenced by numerous factors affecting the supply and demand for oil and gas, including:

 

 

worldwide economic activity, including potential disruption to global trade;

 

 

supplies of, and demand for, oil and gas both domestically and globally;

 

 

the level of exploration and production activity;

 

 

the industry cost of, and access to, capital;

 

 

environmental regulation;

 

 

domestic and global political and economic uncertainty, socio-political unrest and instability, terrorism or hostilities;

 

 

U.S. federal, state and foreign government policies and regulations regarding current and future exploration and development of oil and gas;

 

 

the ability and/or desire of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other major international producers (collectively, with OPEC, “OPEC+”) to set and maintain production levels and influence pricing;

 

 

the cost of exploring and producing oil and gas;

 

 

the availability, expiration date and price of onshore and offshore leases;

 

 

the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves in onshore and offshore areas;

 

 

the success of drilling for oil and gas in unconventional resource plays such as shale formations;

 

 

the depletion rate of existing oil and gas wells in productions;

 

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takeaway capacity within oil and natural gas producing basins;

 

 

alternative investments in onshore exploration and production opportunities;

 

 

shifts in business and personal travel with increased adoption of remote work arrangements;

 

 

health pandemics and epidemics;

 

 

exceptional weather conditions, including severe weather events in the U.S. Gulf Coast; and

 

 

the pace of adoption and cost of developing alternative energy sources.

We expect continued volatility in both crude oil and natural gas prices (including the possibilities that such prices could remain at current levels or decline further for an extended period of time), as well as in the level of production-related operating expenditures as a result of the level of interest rates and costs of capital, decisions of OPEC and other oil exporting nations regarding production, and the other factors listed above. Our ability to modify and adopt our operating activities in response to lower oilfield service activity levels during periodic industry downturns or in the transition to a lower carbon economy is important to our business, results of operations and prospects. However, a significant further decline in the industry could continue to impact demand for our products and services and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could result in asset impairments, including an impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill, along with other accounting charges.

Decreased expenditures by our customers can adversely impact our customers’ demand for our products and services and our revenue.

Our business is directly affected by changes in spending by our customers, and reductions in their spending or changes in the allocation of their expenditures could reduce demand for our products and services and have a material adverse effect on our revenue. Some of the factors impacting our customers’ operating and capital spending may include:

 

 

oil and natural gas prices, as described above;

 

 

the inability of our customers to access capital on economically advantageous terms, which may be impacted by, among other things, interest rate fluctuations, global market and economic conditions, or a decrease of investors’ interest in hydrocarbon producers due to environmental and sustainability initiatives;

 

 

changes in customers’ capital allocation, including (i) allocation to alternate suppliers or an increased allocation to the production of renewable energy or other sustainability efforts, leading to less focus on oil and natural gas production growth and (ii) allocation to other production-enhancing activities for existing wells;

 

 

restrictions on our customers’ ability to get their produced oil and natural gas to market due to infrastructure limitations;

 

 

consolidation of our customers;

 

 

customer personnel changes; and

 

 

adverse developments in the business or operations of our customers, including write-downs of oil and natural gas reserves and borrowing base reductions under customers’ credit facilities.

Our operations could be adversely affected by global market and economic conditions in ways we may not be able to predict or control.

Concerns over global economic conditions, inflation, energy costs, geopolitical issues, supply chain disruptions, the availability and cost of credit, and the continuing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle

 

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East have contributed to increased economic uncertainty. An expansion or escalation of the Russian-Ukraine or Middle East conflicts or an economic slowdown or recession in the United States or in any other country that significantly affects the supply of or demand for oil or natural gas could negatively impact our operations and therefore adversely affect our results. Global economic conditions have a significant impact on oil and natural gas prices and any stagnation or deterioration in global economic conditions could result in less demand for our services and could cause our customers to reduce their planned spending on drilling and production activity. Adverse global economic conditions may cause our customers, vendors and/or suppliers to lose access to the financing necessary to sustain or increase their current level of operations, fulfill their commitments and/or fund future operations and obligations. Furthermore, challenging economic conditions may result in certain of our customers experiencing bankruptcy or otherwise becoming unable to pay vendors, including us. In the past, global economic conditions, and expectations for future global economic conditions, have sometimes experienced significant deterioration in a relatively short period of time and there can be no assurance that global economic conditions or expectations for future global economic conditions will recover in the near term or not quickly deteriorate again due to one or more factors. These conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We could lose customers or generate lower revenue, operating profits and cash flows if there are significant increases in the cost of raw materials or if we are unable to obtain raw materials.

We purchase raw materials, sub-assemblies and components for use in manufacturing operations, which exposes us to volatility in prices for certain commodities. Significant price increases for these commodities could adversely affect our operating profits. Like others in our industry, we have faced, and continue to face, inflation in raw materials cost. While we will generally attempt to mitigate the impact of increased raw material prices by endeavoring to make strategic purchasing decisions, broadening our supplier base and passing along increased costs to customers, there may be a time delay between the increased raw material prices and the ability to increase the prices of our products. Additionally, we may be unable to increase the prices of products due to the terms of existing contracts, a competitor’s pricing pressure or other factors. The inability to obtain necessary raw materials on acceptable terms could affect our ability to meet customer commitments and satisfy demand for certain products. Certain of our product lines depend on a limited number of third-party suppliers and vendors. The ability of these third parties to deliver raw materials may be affected by events beyond our control. In addition, public health threats, severe influenza and other highly communicable viruses or diseases could limit access to vendors and their facilities, or the ability to transport raw materials from our vendors, which would adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary raw materials for certain of our products or increase the costs of such materials. A significant price increase in or the unavailability of raw materials may result in a loss of customers and adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could result in asset impairments, including an impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill.

Continuing inflation and cost increases may impact our sales margins and profitability.

Cost inflation including significant increases in raw material and component costs, labor rates, and global transportation and logistics costs have and could continue to impact profitability. In addition, our customers are also affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their businesses, which could negatively impact their ability to purchase our products, which could adversely impact our revenue and profitability. There is no guarantee that we can increase selling prices, replace lost revenue, or reduce costs to fully mitigate the effect of inflation on our costs and business, which may adversely impact our sales margins and profitability.

 

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We might be unable to successfully compete with other companies in our industry.

The business in which we operate is highly competitive. The principal competitive factors are customer service, product technology, product quality and performance, breadth of product offering, price, payment terms, allocation of risk, geographic footprint, technical expertise and innovation. In some of our product and service offerings, we compete with the oil and natural gas industry’s largest oilfield service providers. These large national and multinational companies may have longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, and a stronger presence in geographies than us. They may also have more robust organizational and technical capabilities. In addition, we compete with many smaller companies capable of effectively competing on a regional or local basis. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and services and for changes in customer requirements. Many contracts are awarded on a bid basis, which further increases competition based on price. As a result of the competitive environment in which we operate, if we are unable to successfully compete in our industry, we may lose competitive share, be unable to maintain or increase prices for our products and services, or be unable to develop new business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

If we are unable to develop new products and technologies, our competitive position may be impaired, which could materially and adversely affect our sales and market share.

The businesses in which we operate are characterized by changing technologies and the introduction of new products and services. As a result, our success is dependent upon our ability to develop or acquire new products and services on a cost-effective basis, to introduce them into the marketplace in a timely manner, and to protect and maintain critical intellectual property assets related to these developments. Difficulties or delays in research, development or production of new products and technologies, or failure to gain customer acceptance of new products and technologies, may significantly reduce future revenue and materially and adversely affect our competitive position. While we intend to continue to commit financial resources and effort to the development of new products and services, our ability to do so may be impacted by the prolonged industry downturn and/or we may not be able to successfully differentiate our products and services from those of our competitors. Our customers may not consider our proposed products and services to be of value to them or may not view them as superior to our competitors’ products and services. In addition, our competitors or customers may develop new technologies which are similar to, or improvements on, our existing technologies.

Further, we may not be able to adapt to evolving customer needs and technologies, including the transition to a lower-carbon economy and energy system by our customers, develop new products, and achieve and maintain technological advantages in developing products and services in support of the evolving industry. If we do not successfully compete through the development and introduction of new products and technologies, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Our products are used in operations that are subject to potential hazards inherent in the oil and natural gas industry and, as a result, we are exposed to potential liabilities that may affect our financial condition and reputation.

Our products are used in potentially hazardous production applications in the oil and natural gas industry where an accident or a failure of a product can potentially have catastrophic consequences. Risks inherent in these applications, such as equipment malfunctions and defects, failures, equipment misuse and explosions can cause personal injury, loss of life, suspension of operations, damage to formations, damage to facilities, business interruption and damage to or destruction of property, surface and drinking water resources, equipment and the environment. While we currently maintain insurance protection against some of these risks and seek to obtain indemnity agreements from our customers requiring them to hold us harmless from some of these risks, our current insurance and contractual indemnity protection may not be sufficient or effective

 

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enough to protect us under all circumstances or against all risks. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against, or the failure of a customer to meet its indemnification obligations to us could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Consolidation in our industry may impact our results of operations.

Business consolidations within the oil and natural gas industry in recent years have resulted in some of our largest customers combining and using their size and purchasing power to seek economies of scale and pricing concessions. Continuing consolidation within the industry may result in reduced operating and capital spending by some of our customers or the acquisition of one or more of our primary customers, which may lead to decreased demand for our products and services. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our level of sales to a customer that has consolidated, or replace that revenue with increased business activity with other customers. As a result, the acquisition of one or more of our primary customers may have a significant adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We are unable to predict what effect consolidations in the industry may have on prices, operating or capital spending by our customers, our selling strategies, our competitive position, our ability to retain customers or our ability to negotiate favorable agreements with our customers.

The credit risks of our customer base could result in losses.

The majority of our customers are oil and natural gas companies that have faced or may in the future face liquidity constraints during adverse commodity price environments. These customers are also affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions such as geopolitical unrest and instability, volatility in oil and natural gas prices as a result of associated changes in demand for such commodities, and continuing inflationary pressures, including increased interest rates and cost of credit. If a significant number of our customers experience prolonged business declines, disruptions, or bankruptcies, we may incur increased exposure to credit risk and losses from bad debts.

The loss of one or more significant customers could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

We have long-standing customer relationships with many of the largest operators in oil and natural gas drilling and production. Our customers include international and national oil and natural gas companies, large integrated operators as well as independent conventional and unconventional oil and gas companies, major oilfield equipment and service providers, and pipeline companies. Our customer base is generally diverse, but in certain international jurisdictions, our business may be concentrated in and depend on one or a few customers. We do have significant customer concentration in our top ten customers; therefore, the loss of a major customer could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Changes in our customer and product mix could cause our profit margin to fluctuate.

From time to time, we may experience changes in our customer mix or in our product mix. Our customer relationships depend, in part, on our ability to provide customers the products they need when they need them and our ability to provide an appropriate level of service to gain and retain customers. If our customers’ experience is negative or our customers require lower-margin products from us and fewer higher-margin products, our results of operations and financial condition may suffer.

We are subject to information technology, cybersecurity and privacy risks.

We depend on various information technologies and other products and services to store and process business information and otherwise support our business activities. We also manufacture and sell hardware and

 

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software to provide monitoring, controls and optimization of customer critical assets in oil and natural gas production and distribution. In addition, certain of our customer offerings include digital components, such as remote monitoring of certain customer operations. We also provide services to maintain these systems. Additionally, our operations rely upon partners, suppliers and other third-party providers of information technology and other products and services. If any of these information technologies, products or services are damaged, cease to properly function, are breached due to employee error, malfeasance, system errors, or other vulnerabilities, or are subject to cybersecurity attacks, such as those involving unauthorized access, malicious software and/or other intrusions, we and our partners, suppliers or other third parties could experience: (i) production downtimes, (ii) operational delays, (iii) the compromising of confidential, proprietary or otherwise protected information, including personal and customer data, (iv) destruction, corruption, or theft of data, (v) security breaches, (vi) other manipulation, disruption, misappropriation or improper use of our systems or networks, (vii) hydrocarbon pollution from loss of containment, (viii) financial losses from remedial actions, (ix) loss of business or potential liability, (x) adverse media coverage, and (xi) legal claims or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions, and/or damage to our reputation. Increased risks of such attacks and disruptions also exist as a result of geopolitical conflicts, such as the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Middle East. While we have not experienced a material breach of our information technologies and we attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, technical security controls and maintenance of backup and protective systems, the Company’s and our customers’, partners’, vendors’ and other third- parties’ systems, networks, products and services remain potentially vulnerable to known or unknown cybersecurity attacks and other threats, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

While we currently maintain cybersecurity insurance, such insurance may not be sufficient in type or amount to cover us against claims related to cybersecurity breaches or attacks, failures or other data security-related incidents, and we cannot be certain that cyber insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that an insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.

Our failure to successfully integrate the businesses of Estis, FPS and Flogistix from the 2024 Business Combination may adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock.

We completed the 2024 Business Combination on June 20, 2024, and we are continuing to integrate combined operations. Estis, FPS and Flogistix, including their respective subsidiaries, were operated independently prior to the completion of the business combination. The success of the 2024 Business Combination will depend, in part, on our ability of to realize anticipated benefits from combining the separate businesses of Estis, FPS and Flogistix. If we are unable to achieve our objectives successfully, the anticipated benefits of the business combination may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected.

We have also incurred, and will continue to incur, fees and expenses related to formulating and implementing integration plans, including facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. In addition, the actual integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, which could reduce the anticipated benefits of the business combination. Ongoing integration efforts for the three companies will divert management attention and resources. The integration process could also result in difficulties, including (i) the disruption of each prior company’s ongoing businesses, (ii) the loss of key employees, (iii) inconsistencies in each company’s standards, controls, procedures and policies; and (iv) identifying material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the internal controls over financial reporting of the other businesses. The occurrence or any unforeseen extended

 

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scope of these matters could adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve anticipated benefits of the business combination. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on our combined business and future results of operations. We will continue to assess the magnitude of both these expenses and achievement of any net benefits.

We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect our business and share price.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses are as follows:

 

 

We did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, we lacked a sufficient complement of resources with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to establish effective processes and controls. Additionally, the lack of a sufficient number of professionals resulted in an inability to consistently establish appropriate authorities and responsibilities in pursuit of the financial reporting objectives, as demonstrated by, among other things, insufficient segregation of duties in the finance and accounting functions.

This material weakness contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:

 

 

We did not design and maintain effective controls related to the period-end financial reporting process, including designing and maintaining formal accounting policies, procedures and controls to achieve complete, accurate and timely financial accounting, reporting and disclosures. Additionally, we did not design and maintain controls over the preparation and review of account reconciliations and journal entries, including maintaining appropriate segregation of duties for all significant accounts.

 

 

We did not design and maintain effective information technology (“IT”) general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the financial statements. Specifically, we did not design and maintain:

 

  (i)   program change management controls to ensure that program and data changes are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately;

 

  (ii)   user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and to adequately restrict user and privileged access to appropriate personnel;

 

  (iii)   computer operations controls to ensure that processing and transfer of data, and data backups and recovery are monitored; and

 

  (iv)   program development controls to ensure that new software development is tested, authorized and implemented appropriately.

These material weaknesses resulted in a revision to a disclosure in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and immaterial adjustments to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Additionally, these material weaknesses could result in misstatements of substantially all of our accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

We are working to develop a plan to remediate the material weaknesses described above. Those remediation measures will include (i) hiring additional qualified accounting and IT personnel; (ii) designing and

 

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implementing controls to formalize roles and review responsibilities and designing and implementing controls over segregation of duties; (iii) designing and implementing formal accounting policies, procedures and controls supporting our period-end financial reporting process, including controls over account reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting and disclosures; and (iv) designing and implementing IT general controls.

We are working to remediate the material weaknesses as efficiently and effectively as possible. At this time, we cannot provide an estimate of when the remediation will be complete nor the costs expected to be incurred in connection with implementing this remediation plan; however, these remediation measures will be time-consuming, will result in us incurring significant costs and will place significant demands on our financial and operational resources.

While we are designing and implementing measures to remediate the existing material weaknesses, we cannot predict the success of such measures or the outcome of the assessment of these measures at this time. We can give no assurance that these measures will remediate any of the deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, or additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in our business, personnel, IT systems and applications, or other factors. Any failure to design or maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or any difficulties encountered in our implementation or improvement could increase compliance costs, negatively impact share trading prices, or otherwise harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses, our ability to record, process, summarize and report information within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC could be adversely affected, which, in turn, may adversely affect our reputation and business and the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, any such failures could result in litigation or regulatory actions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, loss of investor confidence, delisting of our securities and harm to our reputation and financial condition, or diversion of financial and management resources from the operation of our business.

As a public company, we will be required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until after we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, in which case our independent registered public accounting firm could not issue an unqualified opinion related to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to issue an unqualified opinion related to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Class A common stock.

We are subject to risks relating to existing international operations and expansion into new geographical markets.

While sales outside of the U.S. represented less than 0.6% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we continue to focus on expanding sales globally as part of our overall growth strategy and expect sales from outside the United States to represent a growing portion of our revenue. Our international operations and global expansion strategy are subject to general risks related to such operations, including:

 

 

political, social and economic instability and disruptions;

 

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export controls, economic sanctions, embargoes or trade restrictions;

 

 

the imposition of duties and tariffs and other trade barriers;

 

 

limitations on ownership and on repatriation or dividend of earnings;

 

 

transportation delays and interruptions;

 

 

labor unrest and current and changing regulatory environments;

 

 

increased compliance costs, including costs associated with disclosure requirements and related due diligence;

 

 

difficulties in staffing and managing multi-national operations;

 

 

limitations on our ability to enforce legal rights and remedies;

 

 

access to or control of networks and confidential information due to local government controls and vulnerability of local networks to cyber risks; and

 

 

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with expanding our global business or adequately manage operational risks of our existing international operations, these risks could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy into new geographical markets, our reputation, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Adverse health events, such as a pandemic, could adversely affect our business, liquidity, and financial results.

From time to time, various diseases have spread across the globe such as COVID-19, SARS and the avian flu. If a disease spreads sufficiently to cause an epidemic or a pandemic, the ability to operate our business or the businesses of our suppliers, contractors or customers could be reduced due to illness of employees, local restrictions to combat the disease and demand for our products and services or those of our customers could decrease. Our supply chain could be disrupted if access to vendor facilities is limited or they experience labor shortages, or our ability to obtain components from our vendors could be limited, adversely affecting the price or availability of products, which could result in a loss of revenue and profitability. Demand for our products could decrease if our customers curtail their activities, due to lower demand for their products, budget constraints or other capital discipline measures, which may adversely affect our revenue and cash flow.

Our failure to attract, retain and develop personnel could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The delivery of our services and products requires personnel with specialized skills and experience, and our growth, profitability and effectiveness in conducting our operations and executing our strategic plans depend in part on our ability to attract, retain and develop qualified personnel, and align them with appropriate opportunities for key management positions. We may experience employee turnover or labor shortages if our business requirements and/or expectations about when and how often employees work either on-site or remotely are inconsistent with the expectations of our employees or if employees pursue employment in fields with less volatility than in the energy industry. Additionally, during periods of increased investment in the oil and natural gas industry, competition for qualified personnel may increase and the availability of qualified personnel may be further constrained. Although we believe we generally offer competitive compensation packages, our costs of operations and selling, general and administrative expenses could increase in the future if required to attract and retain qualified personnel and there is no assurance that the prices of our products

 

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and services could be increased to offset any such increases. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel on terms acceptable to us, or do so at rates necessary to maintain our liquidity and competitive position, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and market share could be adversely affected.

The inability to protect or obtain patent and other intellectual property rights could adversely affect our revenue, operating profits and cash flows.

We own patents, trademarks, licenses and other intellectual property related to our products and services, and we continuously invest in research and development that may result in innovations and intellectual property rights. We employ various measures to develop, maintain and protect our innovations and intellectual property rights. These measures may not be effective in capturing intellectual property rights, and they may not prevent our intellectual property from being challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, particularly in countries where intellectual property rights are not highly developed or protected. We also may not be successful in fully protecting innovations and intellectual property we develop or acquire. In addition, if licenses to certain intellectual property are no longer available, we may not be able to continue providing services or products relating to that license, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights and any potential litigation we may initiate or have initiated against us in respect of our intellectual property rights could adversely impact our competitive position and have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Natural disasters and unusual weather conditions could have an adverse impact on our business.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters or severe weather conditions, including the effects of climate change. Hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, flash floods, blizzards, extreme cold weather and other natural disasters or severe weather conditions, which may increase in frequency or intensity as a result of climate change, could result in evacuation of personnel, curtailment of services, damage to equipment and facilities, interruption in transportation of products and materials and loss of productivity. For example, certain of our manufactured products and components are manufactured at a single facility, and disruptions in operations or damage to any such facilities could reduce our ability to manufacture our products and satisfy customer demand. If our customers are unable to operate or are required to reduce operations due to natural disasters or severe weather conditions, our business could be adversely affected as a result of curtailed deliveries of our products and services. Our headquarters and certain manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S. Gulf Coast, and this region is also home to many of our customers and suppliers. Hurricanes or other severe weather events impacting the Gulf Coast could materially and adversely affect our operations, our ability to obtain raw materials at reasonable cost, or at all, and our customers in the region.

Our growth and results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to complete future third-party acquisitions on acceptable terms and integrate such acquisitions.

We expect to make future acquisitions that broaden our existing technological, geographic and business offerings, thereby complementing our businesses. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to find suitable opportunities to purchase or acquire such capabilities on acceptable terms. If we are unsuccessful in our acquisition efforts, our revenue growth could be adversely affected. In addition, we face the risk that a completed acquisition may underperform relative to expectations. We may not achieve the synergies originally anticipated, may become exposed to unexpected liabilities, or may not be able to sufficiently integrate completed acquisitions into our then-current business and growth model. There can be significant challenges inherent in the process of integrating acquired businesses, including the ability to ensure the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, integrating information technology, accounting, finance and other

 

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systems, as well as retention of key officers and personnel. The successful or cost-effective integration of acquired businesses cannot be assured. These factors could potentially have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Risks Related to Financial Condition and Markets

Investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels and other Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) matters could adversely affect our access to and cost of capital and stock price.

Increasing attention to climate change, societal expectations on companies to address climate change, investor and societal expectations regarding voluntary ESG initiatives and disclosures, and consumer demand for alternative forms of energy may result in increased costs, including, but not limited to, increased costs related to compliance, stakeholder engagement, contracting and insurance, reduced demand for our products, reduced profits, increased investigations and litigation, and negative impacts on the price of our common units and access to capital markets. For instance, there have been efforts within the investment community (including investment advisors, investment fund managers, sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, universities and individual investors) to promote the divestment of, or limit investment in, the stock of companies in the oil and natural gas industry. There has also been pressure on lenders and other financial services companies to limit or curtail financing of companies in the oil and natural gas industry. If these efforts continue or expand, our stock price and our ability to raise capital may be negatively impacted.

Members of the investment community are also increasing their focus on ESG practices and disclosures, including practices and disclosures related to climate change and sustainability, D&I initiatives, and heightened governance standards, among companies more generally. In addition, organizations that voluntarily provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed rating processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings and recent activism directed at shifting funding away from companies with fossil fuel energy-related assets could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us, our customers and our industry and to the diversion of investments to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our access to and costs of capital.

As a result, we may continue to face increasing pressure regarding our ESG disclosures and practices. Over the past few years, there has also been an acceleration in investor demand for ESG investing opportunities, and many large institutional investors have committed to increasing the percentage of their portfolios that are allocated towards ESG investments. With respect to any of these investors, our ESG disclosures and efforts may not satisfy the investor requirements or their requirements may not be made known to us. If we are unable to meet the ESG standards or investment criteria set by these investors and funds, we may lose investors or investors may allocate a portion of their capital away from us, our cost of capital may increase, and our stock price may be negatively impacted.

Our Credit Agreement imposes restrictions that limit our operating flexibility and such facility may not be available if financial covenants are violated or if an event of default occurs.

Our Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to incur liens and indebtedness, sell assets, repurchase our equity shares and make certain types of investments. We are also subject to certain financial covenants, including but not limited to compliance with certain leverage and interest coverage ratios as defined in the Credit Agreement. A breach of any covenant or our inability to comply with the required financial ratios could result in a default under our Credit Agreement, and we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain the necessary waivers or amendments from our lenders to remedy a default. In the event of any default not cured or waived, the lenders are not obligated to provide funding or issue letters of

 

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credit and could declare any outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable, thus requiring us to apply available cash to repay any borrowings then outstanding. If we are unable to repay borrowings with respect to our Credit Facility when due, our lenders could proceed against the guarantees of our material domestic subsidiaries. If any indebtedness under our Credit Agreement is accelerated, we can provide no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full.

Our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on cross-border transactions and the translation of local currency results into U.S. dollars could negatively impact our results of operations.

A portion of our business is transacted and/or denominated in foreign currencies, and fluctuations in currency exchange rates or the inability to exchange or repatriate foreign currencies could have a significant impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, which are presented in U.S. dollars. Cross-border transactions, both with external parties and intercompany relationships, result in increased exposure to foreign exchange effects. We conduct business in countries that have restricted or limited trading markets for their local currencies and restrict or limit cash repatriation. We may accumulate cash in those geographies, but we may be limited in our ability to convert our profits into U.S. dollars, repatriate the profits from those countries or reinvest those earnings to fund operations in other countries. Significant changes in currency exchange rates could negatively affect our results of operations. Additionally, a future strengthening of the U.S. dollar potentially exposes us to competitive threats from lower cost producers in other countries and could result in unfavorable translation effects as the results of foreign locations are translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and operating flexibility.

Our ability to make payments on, and to refinance, our indebtedness, as well as any future indebtedness that we may incur, will depend upon the level of cash flows generated by our operations, our ability to sell assets, availability under our revolving Credit Agreement and our ability to access the capital markets and/or other sources of financing. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, industry, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. If we are not able to repay or refinance our indebtedness as it becomes due, we may be forced to sell assets or take other disadvantageous actions, including (i) reducing financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate purposes or (ii) dedicating an unsustainable level of cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on the indebtedness. In addition, our ability to withstand competitive pressures and to react to changes in the oil and natural gas industry could be impaired.

Disruptions in the capital and credit markets, low commodity prices, our debt level and other factors may restrict our ability to raise capital on favorable terms, or at all.

Disruptions in the capital and credit markets, in particular with respect to companies in the energy sector, could limit our ability to access these markets or may significantly increase our cost to borrow. Continued low commodity prices, the rapid increases in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve to counteract inflation, as well as other factors, have caused some lenders to increase interest rates, enact tighter lending standards which we may not satisfy as a result of our debt level or otherwise, refuse to refinance existing debt at maturity on favorable terms, or at all, and in certain instances have reduced or ceased to provide funding to borrowers. If we are unable to access the capital and credit markets on favorable terms or at all, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Legal and Regulatory Risks

Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to oil and natural gas development and the potential for related litigation could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays for our customers, which could reduce demand for our products.

Environmental laws, regulations and policies could limit our customers’ exploration and production activities. Although we do not directly engage in drilling or hydraulic fracturing activities, we provide products and services to operators in the oil and natural gas industry. There has been significant growth in opposition to oil and natural gas development both in the United States and globally. This opposition is focused on attempting to limit or stop hydrocarbon development in certain areas. Examples of such opposition include: (i) efforts to reduce access to public and private lands; (ii) delaying or canceling permits for drilling or pipeline construction or export facilities; (iii) limiting or banning industry techniques such as hydraulic fracturing, and/or adding restrictions on the use of water and associated disposal; (iv) delaying or denying air-quality permits; and (v) advocating for increased regulations, punitive taxation, or citizen ballot initiatives or moratoriums on industry activity.

In addition, various state and local governments have implemented, or are considering, increased regulatory oversight of oil and natural gas development through additional permitting requirements, operational restrictions, including on the time, place and manner of drilling activities, disclosure requirements and temporary or permanent bans on hydraulic fracturing, exports of liquified natural gas or other facets of crude oil and natural gas exploration and development in certain areas such as environmentally sensitive watersheds. Increased regulation and opposition to oil and natural gas activities could increase the potential for litigation concerning these activities, and could include companies who provide products and services used in hydrocarbon development, such as us.

From time to time, legislation has been introduced, but not enacted, in Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. Additionally, some states have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could impose new or more stringent permitting, disclosure or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations. The adoption of new laws, regulations or policies at the federal, state or local levels imposing reporting obligations, or otherwise limiting or delaying hydrocarbon development, could make it more difficult for our customers to complete oil and natural gas wells, increase our customers’ costs of compliance and doing business, and otherwise adversely affect the oil and natural gas activities they pursue. Such developments, which could increase costs for our customers, could negatively impact demand for our products and services. In addition, heightened political, regulatory and public scrutiny, including lawsuits, could expose us or our customers to increased legal and regulatory proceedings, which could be time-consuming, costly or result in substantial legal liability or significant reputational harm. We could be directly affected by adverse litigation or indirectly affected if the cost of compliance or the risks of liability limit the ability or willingness of our customers to operate. Such costs and scrutiny could directly or indirectly, through reduced demand for our products and services, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We and our customers are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws and regulations that may increase our costs, limit the demand for our products and services or restrict our operations.

Our operations and the operations of our customers are subject to numerous and complex federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations and policies relating to the protection of human health, safety and the environment. These laws, regulations and policies may adversely affect us by limiting or curtailing our customers’ exploration, drilling and production and export activities, impacting the products and services we

 

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design, market and sell and the facilities where we manufacture our products. For example, our operations and the operations of our customers are subject to numerous and complex laws, regulations and policies that, among other things: may regulate the management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes; may require acquisition of environmental permits related to our operations; may restrict the types, quantities and concentrations of various materials that can be released into the environment; may limit or prohibit operational activities in certain ecologically sensitive and other protected areas; may regulate specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection; may require compliance with operational and equipment standards; may impose testing, reporting and record-keeping requirements; and may require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former and ongoing operations. Sanctions for noncompliance with such laws, regulations and polices may include revocation of permits, corrective action orders, administrative or civil penalties, criminal prosecution and the imposition of injunctions to prohibit certain activities or force future compliance.

Some environmental laws, regulations and policies provide for joint and several strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of hazardous substances. In addition, we or our customers may be subject to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as a result of alleged exposure to hazardous substances, as well as damage to natural resources. These laws and regulations may expose us or our customers to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others, or for our acts or for the acts of our customers that were in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations at the time such acts were performed. Any of these laws and regulations could result in claims, fines or expenditures that could be material to our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Environmental laws, regulations and policies, and the interpretation and enforcement thereof, frequently change, and have tended to become more stringent over time. New laws, regulations treaties, or international agreements related to greenhouse gases (“GHG”) and climate change, including incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources, and temporary or permanent bans on certain activities or licenses or permits for certain activities may have a material adverse effect on our customers by limiting or curtailing their exploration, drilling, and production and export activities, which may adversely affect our operations by limiting demand for our products and services. Additionally, the implementation of new laws, regulations and policies may have a material adverse effect on our operating results by requiring us to modify our operations or products or shut down some or all of our facilities.

Various laws, regulations and policies exist or are under development that seek to regulate the emission of GHG, including establishing GHG “cap and trade” programs, increased efficiency standards, participation in international climate agreements, issuance of executive orders by the U.S. presidential administration and incentives or mandates for pollution reduction, use of renewable energy sources, or use of alternative fuels with lower carbon content. Any regulation of GHG emissions could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions for us and/or our customers and limit or curtail exploration, drilling and production and export activities of our customers, which could directly or indirectly, through reduced demand for our products and services, adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition, oil and natural gas operations may be adversely affected by seasonal or permanent restrictions on drilling activities designed to protect wildlife. Seasonal restrictions may limit our customers’ ability to operate in protected areas and can intensify competition for drilling rigs, oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages when drilling is allowed. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our customers’ operations or materially increase their operating and capital costs, which could in turn reduce demand for our products and services.

 

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Our reputation, ability to do business and results of operations may be impaired by violations of U.S. and international laws and regulations regarding, anti-bribery, trade control, trade sanctions, anti-corruption and similar laws.

Our operations require us to comply with a number of U.S. and international laws and regulations, including those relating to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, fair competition, export and import compliance, money laundering and data privacy. In particular, our international operations are subject to the regulations imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as well as anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws of various jurisdictions in which we operate. While we strive to maintain high ethical standards and robust internal controls, we cannot provide assurance that our internal controls, training and compliance systems will always protect us from acts committed by our employees, agents or business partners that would violate such U.S. or international laws or regulations. Any such violations of law or improper actions could subject us to civil or criminal investigations in the United States or other jurisdictions, could lead to substantial civil or criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties and related stockholder lawsuits, could lead to increased costs of compliance and could damage our reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Tariffs and other trade measures could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Our material input costs are adversely affected by tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on products imported into the United States and by trade restrictions imposed on business dealings with particular entities and/or individuals. Further trade restrictions, retaliatory trade measures and additional tariffs could result in higher input costs for our products, disrupt our supply chain and logistics, cause adverse financial impacts due to volatility in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, inflationary pressures on raw materials and energy, and heighten cybersecurity threats and other restrictions. We may not be able to fully mitigate the impact of these increased costs or pass price increases on to our customers. We cannot predict future developments, and such existing or future tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Changes in domestic and foreign governmental laws, regulations and policies, risks associated with emerging markets, changes in statutory tax rates and laws, and unanticipated outcomes with respect to tax audits could adversely affect our business, profitability and reputation.

Our domestic and international sales and operations are subject to risks associated with changes in laws, regulations and policies (including environmental and employment regulations, export/import laws, local content and local ownership requirements, tax policies such as export subsidy programs and research and experimentation credits, carbon emission regulations and other similar programs). Failure to comply with any of the foregoing laws, regulations and policies could result in civil and criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties, as well as damage to our reputation. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that costs of complying with new and evolving regulatory reporting requirements and current or future laws, including environmental protection, employment, data security, data privacy and health and safety laws, will not exceed our estimates. In addition, we have made investments in certain countries, and we may in the future invest in other countries, which may carry high levels of currency, political, compliance, or economic risk. While these risks or the impact of these risks are difficult to predict, any one or more of them could adversely affect our business, results of operations and reputation.

We are subject to taxation in a number of jurisdictions. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is impacted by changes in the mix among earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates. A material change in the statutory tax rate or interpretation of local law in a jurisdiction in which we have significant operations could adversely impact our effective tax rate and impact our financial results.

 

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Our tax returns are subject to audit and taxing authorities could challenge our operating structure, taxable presence, application of treaty benefits or transfer pricing policies. If changes in statutory tax rates or laws or audits result in assessments different from amounts estimated, then our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely affected. In addition, changes in tax laws could have an adverse effect on our customers, resulting in lower demand for our products and services.

War, terrorism or civil unrest could harm our business.

Due to the unsettled political conditions in many natural gas and oil-producing countries, our operations, revenue and profits are subject to adverse consequences of war, terrorism, civil unrest, strikes, currency controls, and governmental actions. These risks cause us to increase spending on security worldwide, cause us to cease operating in certain countries and disrupt financial and commercial markets, including the supply of and pricing for oil and natural gas. In addition, any possible reprisals as a consequence of military or other action, such as acts of terrorism in the United States or elsewhere, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure

Our principal asset after the completion of this offering will be our interest in Flowco LLC and, as a result, we will depend on distributions from Flowco LLC to pay our taxes and expenses, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Flowco LLC’s ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions.

Upon the consummation of this offering and the Transactions, we will be a holding company and will have no material assets other than our ownership of LLC Interests in Flowco LLC. As such, we will have no independent means of generating revenue or cash flow, and our ability to pay our taxes and operating expenses or declare and pay dividends in the future, if any, will be dependent upon the financial results and cash flows of Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries and distributions we receive from Flowco LLC. There can be no assurance that Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow to distribute funds to us or that applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including negative covenants in our debt instruments, will permit such distributions. Although Flowco LLC is not currently subject to any debt instruments or other agreements that would restrict its ability to make distributions to us, the terms of our Credit Agreement and other outstanding indebtedness restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to Flowco LLC.

Flowco LLC will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, generally will not be subject to any entity-level U.S. federal income tax. Instead, any taxable income of Flowco LLC will be allocated to holders of LLC Interests, including us. Accordingly, we will incur income taxes on our allocable share of any net taxable income of Flowco LLC. Under the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement, Flowco LLC will be obligated, subject to various limitations and restrictions, including with respect to our debt agreements, to make tax distributions to holders of LLC Interests, including us. In addition to tax expenses, we will also incur expenses related to our operations, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which we expect could be significant. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.” We intend, as its managing member, to cause Flowco LLC to make cash distributions to the holders of LLC Interests in an amount sufficient to (i) fund all or part of their tax obligations in respect of taxable income allocated to them and (ii) cover our operating expenses, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, Flowco LLC’s ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions, such as restrictions on distributions that would either violate any contract or agreement to which Flowco LLC is then a party, including debt agreements, or any applicable law, or that would have the effect of rendering Flowco LLC insolvent. If we do not have sufficient funds to pay tax or other

 

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liabilities, or to fund our operations (including, if applicable, as a result of an acceleration of our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement), we may have to borrow funds, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition, and subject us to various restrictions imposed by any lenders of such funds. To the extent we are unable to make timely payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, such payments generally will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid; provided, however, that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a material breach of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement resulting in the acceleration of payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Flowco LLC Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions—Distributions.” In addition, if Flowco LLC does not have sufficient funds to make distributions, our ability to declare and pay cash dividends will also be restricted or impaired. See “—Risks Related to the Offering and Ownership of our Class A Common Stock” and “Dividend Policy.”

Under the Flowco LLC Agreement, we intend to cause Flowco LLC, from time to time, to make distributions in cash to its members (including us) in amounts sufficient to cover the taxes imposed on their allocable share of taxable income of Flowco LLC. As a result of (i) potential differences in the amount of net taxable income allocable to us and to Flowco LLC’s other stockholders, (ii) the lower tax rate applicable to corporations as opposed to individuals, and (iii) certain tax benefits that we anticipate from (a) future purchases or redemptions of LLC interests from the Continuing Equity Owners, (b) payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and (c) any acquisition of interests in Flowco LLC from other stockholders in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, these tax distributions may be in amounts that exceed our tax liabilities. Our board of directors will determine the appropriate uses for any excess cash so accumulated, which may include, among other uses, the payment of obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement and the payment of other expenses. We will have no obligation to distribute such cash (or other available cash) to our stockholders. To the extent we do not distribute such excess cash as dividends on our Class A common stock we may take other actions with respect to such excess cash, for example, holding such excess cash, contributing such cash to Flowco LLC in exchange for additional LLC Interests or lending it (or a portion thereof) to Flowco LLC, some of which may result in shares of our Class A common stock increasing in value relative to the value of LLC Interests. The holders of LLC Interests may benefit from any value attributable to such cash balances if they acquire shares of Class A common stock in exchange for their LLC Interests, notwithstanding that such holders may have participated previously as holders of LLC Interests in distributions that resulted in such excess cash balances.

The Tax Receivable Agreement with the Continuing Equity Owners requires us to make cash payments to them in respect of certain tax benefits to which we may become entitled, and we expect that such payments will be substantial.

In connection with the consummation of this offering, we will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement with Flowco LLC and each of the TRA Participants. Under the Tax Receivable Agreement, we will be required to make cash payments to the TRA Participants equal to 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that we actually realize, or in certain circumstances are deemed to realize, as a result of: (i) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (ii) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (iii) the increases in our share of the tax basis of assets of Flowco LLC resulting from (a) the purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) any future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests from the Continuing Equity Owners as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Flowco LLC Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions—Common Unit Redemption Right,” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC; and (iv) certain other tax benefits arising

 

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from payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. We will be required to make such payments to the TRA Participants even if all of the Continuing Equity Owners were to exchange or redeem their remaining LLC Interests.

The payment obligation is an obligation of Flowco Holdings Inc. and not of Flowco LLC. We expect that the amount of the cash payments we will be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be substantial. Any payments made by us to the TRA Participants under the Tax Receivable Agreement will not be available for reinvestment in our business and will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been available to us. To the extent that we are unable to make timely payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, the unpaid amounts will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid by us, provided, however, that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a material breach of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement resulting in the acceleration of payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not conditioned upon continued ownership of us by the exchanging Continuing Equity Owners. Furthermore, if we experience a change of control (as defined under the Tax Receivable Agreement), which includes certain mergers, asset sales, and other forms of business combinations, we would be obligated to make an immediate payment, and such payment may be significantly in advance of, and may materially exceed, the actual realization, if any, of the future tax benefits to which the payment relates. This payment obligation could (i) make us a less attractive target for an acquisition, particularly in the case of an acquirer that cannot use some or all of the tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement and (ii) result in holders of our Class A common stock receiving substantially less consideration in connection with a change of control transaction than they would receive in the absence of such obligation. Accordingly, the Continuing Equity Holders’ interests may conflict with those of the holders of our Class A common stock. The existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions, the actual increase in tax basis, and the actual utilization of any resulting tax benefits, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors: including the timing of redemptions by the Continuing Equity Owners; the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the redemption; the extent to which such redemptions are taxable; the amount of gain recognized by such Continuing Equity Owners; the amount and timing of the taxable income allocated to us or otherwise generated by us in the future; the portion of our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement constituting imputed interest; and the federal and state tax rates then applicable.

Our organizational structure, including the Tax Receivable Agreement, confers certain benefits upon the Continuing Equity Owners that will not benefit holders of our Class A common stock to the same extent that it will benefit the Continuing Equity Owners.

Our organizational structure, including the Tax Receivable Agreement, confers certain benefits upon the Continuing Equity Owners that will not benefit the holders of our Class A common stock to the same extent that it will benefit the Continuing Equity Owners. We will enter into the Tax Receivable Agreement with Flowco LLC and each of the TRA Participants in connection with the completion of this offering and the Transactions, which will provide for the payment by us to the TRA Participants of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that we actually realize, or in some circumstances are deemed to realize, as a result of: (i) Flowco’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (ii) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (iii) the increases in our share of the tax basis of assets of Flowco LLC resulting from (a) the purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) any future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests from the Continuing Equity Owners as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Flowco LLC Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions—Common Unit Redemption Right” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC; and (iv) certain other tax benefits arising from

 

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payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.” Although we will retain 15% of the amount of such tax benefits, this and other aspects of our organizational structure may adversely impact the future trading market for the Class A common stock.

Additionally, we are a holding company and have no material assets other than our ownership of LLC Interests. As a consequence, our ability to declare and pay dividends to the holders of our Class A common stock is subject to the ability of Flowco LLC to provide distributions to us. If Flowco LLC makes such distributions, the Continuing Equity Owners that hold LLC Interests will be entitled to receive equivalent distributions from Flowco LLC on a pro rata basis. However, because we must pay taxes, amounts ultimately distributed as dividends to holders of our Class A common stock are expected to be less on a per share basis than the amounts distributed by Flowco LLC to such Continuing Equity Owners on a per unit basis. This and other aspects of our organizational structure may adversely impact the future trading market for our Class A common stock.

In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the TRA Participants may be accelerated or significantly exceed any actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

The Tax Receivable Agreement will provide that if (i) we materially breach any of our material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, (ii) certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control were to occur after the consummation of this offering, or (iii) we elect an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, then our obligations, or our successor’s obligations, under the Tax Receivable Agreement to make payments would be based on certain assumptions, including an assumption that we would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize all potential future tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

As a result of the foregoing, we would be required to make an immediate cash payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement, based on certain assumptions, which payment may be made significantly in advance of the actual realization, if any, of such future tax benefits. We could also be required to make cash payments to the TRA Participants that are greater than the specified percentage of any actual benefits we ultimately realize in respect of the tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. In these situations, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to fund or finance our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement. We may need to incur debt to finance payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the extent our cash resources are insufficient to meet our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement as a result of timing discrepancies or otherwise.

We will not be reimbursed for any payments made to the TRA Participants under the Tax Receivable Agreement in the event that any tax benefits are disallowed.

Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we determine, and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or another tax authority, may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases or other tax benefits we claim, as well as other related tax positions we take, and a court could sustain such challenge. If the outcome of any such challenge would reasonably be expected to materially affect a recipient’s payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, then we will not be permitted to settle or fail to contest such challenge without the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of certain TRA Participants. The interests of the TRA Participants in any such challenge may differ from or conflict with our interests and your interests, and the TRA Participants may exercise their consent rights relating to any such challenge in a manner adverse to our interests and your interests. We will not be reimbursed for any cash

 

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payments previously made to the TRA Participants under the Tax Receivable Agreement in the event that any tax benefits initially claimed by us and for which payment has been made to a TRA Participants are subsequently challenged by a taxing authority and are ultimately disallowed. Instead, any excess cash payments made by us to a TRA Participant will be netted against any future cash payments we might otherwise be required to make to such TRA Participants, under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, we might not determine that we have effectively made an excess cash payment to a TRA Participants for a number of years following the initial time of such payment and, if any of our tax reporting positions are challenged by a taxing authority, we will not be permitted to reduce any future cash payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement until any such challenge is finally settled or determined. Moreover, the excess cash payments we made previously under the Tax Receivable Agreement could be greater than the amount of future cash payments against which we would otherwise be permitted to net such excess. The applicable U.S. federal income tax rules for determining applicable tax benefits we may claim are complex and factual in nature, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not disagree with our tax reporting positions. As a result, payments could be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement significantly in excess of any actual cash tax savings that we realize in respect of the tax attributes with respect to a TRA Participant that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to taxes by the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax authorities. Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including:

 

 

allocation of expenses to and among different jurisdictions;

 

 

changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;

 

 

expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowances;

 

 

tax effects of stock-based compensation;

 

 

costs related to intercompany restructurings;

 

 

changes in tax laws, tax treaties, regulations or interpretations thereof; or

 

 

lower than anticipated future earnings in jurisdictions where we have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated future earnings in jurisdictions where we have higher statutory tax rates.

In addition, we may be subject to audits of our income, sales and other taxes by U.S. federal, state, and local and foreign taxing authorities. Outcomes from these audits could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

If Flowco LLC were to become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we and Flowco LLC might be subject to potentially significant tax inefficiencies.

We intend to operate such that Flowco LLC does not become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A “publicly traded partnership” is a partnership the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. Under certain circumstances, redemptions of LLC Interests pursuant to the redemption right, or other transfers of LLC Interests, could cause Flowco LLC to be treated as a publicly traded partnership. Applicable U.S. Treasury regulations provide for certain safe harbors from treatment as a publicly traded partnership, and we intend to operate such that redemptions or other transfers of LLC Interests qualify for one or more such safe harbors.

 

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If Flowco LLC were to become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, significant tax inefficiencies might result for us and for Flowco LLC, including as a result of the inability to file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with Flowco LLC.

If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act, including as a result of our ownership of Flowco LLC, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if (i) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. We do not believe that we are an “investment company,” as such term is defined in either of those sections of the 1940 Act.

We and Flowco LLC intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company. As the sole managing member of Flowco LLC, we will control and operate Flowco LLC. On that basis, we believe that our interest in Flowco LLC is not an “investment security” as that term is used in the 1940 Act. However, if we were to cease participation in the management of Flowco LLC, or if Flowco LLC itself becomes an investment company, our interest in Flowco LLC could be deemed an “investment security” for purposes of the 1940 Act.

We and Flowco LLC intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company. If it were established that we were an unregistered investment company, there would be a risk that we would be subject to monetary penalties and injunctive relief in an action brought by the SEC, that we would be unable to enforce contracts with third parties and that third parties could seek to obtain rescission of transactions undertaken during the period it was established that we were an unregistered investment company. If we were required to register as an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Risks Related to the Offering and Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock

Following this offering, GEC and White Deer will collectively control us, and each of them individually will have significant influence over us, including pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement and control over decisions that require the approval of stockholders.

Upon consummation of this offering, GEC and White Deer will control, in the aggregate, approximately  % of the voting power represented by all our outstanding classes of stock, and individually will control approximately  % and  %, respectively, of the voting power represented by all our outstanding classes of stock. In connection with this offering, GEC, White Deer and certain of their affiliates will also enter into a Stockholders’ Agreement relating to, among other things, the election of our directors. As a result, such Continuing Equity Owners will continue to exercise significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of directors and the size of our board, and will continue to have significant control over our business, affairs and policies. The directors such Continuing Equity Owners elect have the authority to incur additional debt, issue or repurchase stock, declare dividends and make other decisions that could be detrimental to stockholders.

We expect that for some period of time following the consummation of this offering, members of our board will continue to be appointed by and/or affiliated with GEC and White Deer, who will have the right pursuant to our

 

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Stockholders Agreement to nominate the majority of our directors. Such Continuing Equity Owners can take actions that have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us or discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares, which could prevent stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares. These actions may be taken even if other stockholders oppose them. The concentration of voting power with such Continuing Equity Owners may have an adverse effect on the price of our Class A common stock. Such Continuing Equity Owners may have interests that are different from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and that may be adverse to your interests.

In addition to rights relating to the nomination of directors and our board, the Stockholders Agreement includes certain consent rights with respect to actions by the company and our subsidiaries as long as GEC Affiliates or White Deer Affiliates, respectively, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares. The interests of GEC and White Deer may be different than the interests of other stockholders, and such consent rights could limit our ability to engage in certain transactions in a way that is adverse to your interests. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement.

Further, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be in effect upon the consummation of the Transactions, will provide that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” will not apply with respect to any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries. GEC, White Deer and their respective affiliates have investments in other oilfield services companies that may compete with us, and GEC, White Deer and their respective affiliates may invest in such other companies in the future. By renouncing our interest and expectancy in any business opportunity that may be from time to time presented to any member of a GEC or White Deer affiliated entity or any of our directors or officers who is also an employee, partner, member, manager, officer or director of any GEC or White Deer affiliated entity, our business or prospects could be adversely affected if attractive business opportunities are procured by such parties for their own benefit rather than for ours. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Offering and Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock—Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” will not apply with respect to any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries.”

We cannot predict the effect our dual class structure may have on the market price of our Class A common stock.

We cannot predict whether our dual class structure will result in a lower or more volatile market price of our Class A common stock, in adverse publicity, or other adverse consequences. For example, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indices. In July 2017, FTSE Russell announced that it plans to require new constituents of its indices to have greater than 5% of the company’s voting rights in the hands of public stockholders, and S&P Dow Jones announced that it will no longer admit companies with multiple-class share structures to certain of its indices. Affected indices include the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. Also in 2017, MSCI, a leading stock index provider, opened public consultations on their treatment of no-vote and multi-class structures and temporarily barred new multi-class listings from certain of its indices; however, in October 2018, MSCI announced its decision to include equity securities “with unequal voting structures” in its indices and to launch a new index that specifically includes voting rights in its eligibility criteria. Under such announced policies, the dual class structure of our stock would make us ineligible for inclusion in certain indices and, as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to track those indices would not invest in our Class A common stock. These policies are relatively new and it is unclear what effect, if any, they will have on the valuations of publicly-traded companies excluded from such indices, but it is possible they may depress valuations, compared to similar companies that are included. Given the sustained flow of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indices, exclusion from certain stock indices would likely preclude investment by many of these funds and could make our Class A common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

 

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We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements.

After the consummation of the Transactions, GEC, White Deer and certain of their affiliates collectively, who will be parties to the Stockholders’ Agreement relating to the election of directors, as a group will have more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors, and, as a result, we will be considered a “controlled company” for the purposes of the NYSE rules. As such, we will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors, an entirely independent nominating and corporate governance committee, an entirely independent compensation committee or to perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

The corporate governance requirements and, specifically, the independence standards are intended to ensure directors who are considered independent are free of any conflicting interest that could influence their actions as directors. Following this offering, we intend to utilize certain exemptions afforded to a “controlled company.” As a result, we will not be subject to certain corporate governance requirements, including that a majority of our board of directors consists of “independent directors,” as defined under the NYSE rules. In addition, we will not be required to have a nominating and corporate governance committee or compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, or to conduct annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE rules. Our status as a controlled company could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

Certain provisions of Delaware law and anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could delay or prevent a change of control.

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer, or prevent a merger, acquisition, tender offer, takeover attempt or other change of control transaction that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. These provisions provide for, among other things:

 

 

a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms;

 

 

the ability of our board of directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval;

 

 

advance notice for nominations of directors by stockholders and for stockholders to include matters to be considered at our annual meetings;

 

 

certain limitations on convening special stockholder meetings and actions by stockholders through a written consent;

 

 

prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

 

the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power represented by our then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and

 

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that certain provisions of amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended only by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power represented by our then-outstanding common stock.

These antitakeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if the third party’s offer may be considered beneficial by many of our stockholders. As a result, our stockholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares.

In addition, we have opted out of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware(the “DGCL”), but our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any “interested” stockholder (any stockholder with 15% or more of our voting stock) for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an “interested” stockholder is prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, including an exclusion for GEC, White Deer and their affiliates. See “Description of Capital Stock.”

The JOBS Act will allow us to postpone the date by which we must comply with certain laws and regulations intended to protect investors and to reduce the amount of information we provide in our reports filed with the SEC. We cannot be certain if this reduced disclosure will make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors.

The JOBS Act is intended to reduce the regulatory burden on “emerging growth companies.” As defined in the JOBS Act, a public company whose initial public offering of common equity securities occurs after December 8, 2011, and whose annual net revenues are less than $1.235 billion will, in general, qualify as an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of:

 

 

the last day of its fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of its initial public offering of common equity securities;

 

 

the last day of its fiscal year in which it has annual gross revenue of $1.235 billion or more;

 

 

the date on which it has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt; and

 

 

the date on which it is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” which will occur at such time as the company (i) has an aggregate worldwide market value of common equity securities held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (ii) has been required to file annual and quarterly reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, for a period of at least 12 months, and (iii) has filed at least one annual report pursuant to the Exchange Act.

Under this definition, we will be an “emerging growth company” upon completion of this offering and could remain an “emerging growth company” until as late as the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering. For so long as we are an “emerging growth company,” we will, among other things:

 

 

not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

 

not be required to hold a nonbinding advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation pursuant to Section 14A(a) of the Exchange Act;

 

 

not be required to seek stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved pursuant to Section 14A(b) of the Exchange Act;

 

 

be exempt from the requirement of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on the financial statements; and

 

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be subject to reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period and, as a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies.

We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result of our decision to take advantage of some or all of the reduced disclosure requirements above. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Our ability to pay regular cash dividends on our Class A common stock following this offering may be limited.

Our ability to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, general and economic conditions, our results of operations and financial condition, our available cash and current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, contractual, legal, tax and regulatory restrictions, and such other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is, and may be, limited by covenants of existing and any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur, including under our Credit Agreement. Therefore, any return on investment in our Class A common stock is solely dependent upon the appreciation of the price of our Class A common stock on the open market, which may not occur. See “Dividend Policy” for more detail.

No market currently exists for our Class A common stock, and an active, liquid trading market for our Class A common stock may not develop, which may cause our Class A common stock to trade at a discount from the initial offering price and make it difficult for you to sell the Class A common stock you purchase.

Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our Class A common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us will lead to the development of a trading market or how active and liquid that market may become. If an active and liquid trading market does not develop or continue, you may have difficulty selling any of our Class A common stock that you purchase at a price above the price you purchase it or at all. The initial public offering price for the shares was determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. The failure of an active and liquid trading market to develop and continue would likely have a material adverse effect on the value of our Class A common stock. The market price of our Class A common stock may decline below the initial offering price, and you may not be able to sell your shares of our Class A common stock at or above the price you paid in this offering, or at all. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our shares as consideration.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters and the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide (A) (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any

 

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current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws (as either may be amended or restated) or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware; and (B) the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exclusive forum provision shall not apply to claims seeking to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act. The choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” will not apply with respect to any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries.

The doctrine of corporate opportunity generally provides that a corporate fiduciary may not develop an opportunity using corporate resources, acquire an interest adverse to that of the corporation or acquire property that is reasonably incident to the present or prospective business of the corporation or in which the corporation has a present or expectancy interest, unless that opportunity is first presented to the corporation and the corporation chooses not to pursue that opportunity. The doctrine of corporate opportunity is intended to preclude officers or directors or other fiduciaries from personally benefiting from opportunities that belong to the corporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be in effect upon the consummation of the Transactions, will provide that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” will not apply with respect to any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries. Any director or stockholder who is n ot employed by us or our subsidiaries will, therefore, have no duty to communicate or present corporate opportunities to us, and will have the right to either hold any corporate opportunity for their (and their affiliates’) own account and benefit or to recommend, assign or otherwise transfer such corporate opportunity to persons other than us, including to any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries.

As a result, certain of our stockholders, directors and their respective affiliates will not be prohibited from operating or investing in competing businesses. We, therefore, may find ourselves in competition with certain of our stockholders, directors or their respective affiliates, and we may not have knowledge of, or be able to pursue, transactions that could potentially be beneficial to us. Accordingly, we may lose a corporate opportunity or suffer competitive harm, which could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they downgrade our stock or our sector, or if there is any fluctuation in our credit rating, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. We do not control these analysts. Securities and industry

 

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analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on our company. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price of our shares would likely be negatively impacted. Furthermore, if one or more of the analysts who do cover us downgrade our stock or our industry, or the stock of any of our competitors, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our stock could decline. If one or more of these analysts stops covering us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the market, which, in turn, could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Additionally, any fluctuation in the credit rating of us or our subsidiaries may impact our ability to access debt markets in the future or increase our cost of future debt, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition, which in return may adversely affect the trading price of shares of our Class A common stock.

As a public reporting company, we will be subject to rules and regulations established from time to time by the SEC and NYSE regarding our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, or report them in a timely manner.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public reporting company subject to the rules and regulations established from time to time by the SEC and the NYSE. These rules and regulations will require, among other things, that we establish and periodically evaluate procedures with respect to our internal control over financial reporting. Reporting obligations as a public company are likely to place a considerable strain on our financial and management systems, processes and controls, as well as on our personnel.

In addition, as a public company we will be required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act so that our management can certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting by the time our second annual report is filed with the SEC and thereafter, which will require us to document and make significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting. Likewise, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at such time as we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we become an accelerated or large accelerated filer. As described above, we could potentially qualify as an “emerging growth company” until as late as the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering.

We expect to incur costs related to implementing an internal audit and compliance function in the upcoming years to further improve our internal control environment. If we identify future deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or if we are unable to comply with the demands that will be placed upon us as a public company, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, in a timely manner, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results, or report them within the timeframes required by the SEC. We also could become subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. In addition, if we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, when required, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, we may face restricted access to the capital markets and our stock price may be adversely affected.

We will incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company.

Prior to this offering, we operated on a private basis. After this offering, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the NYSE and other applicable securities laws and regulations. The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been increasing. We expect these rules and

 

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regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly, although we are currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. We also expect that being a public company and being subject to new rules and regulations will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as our executive officers. Furthermore, if we are unable to satisfy our obligations as a public company, we could be subject to delisting of our Class A common stock, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation. These factors may, therefore, strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.

Future sales, or the perception of future sales, by us or our existing stockholders in the public market following this offering could cause the market price for our Class A common stock to decline.

After this offering, the sale of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of shares of our Class A common stock. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

Upon consummation of the Transactions, we will have outstanding a total of     shares of Class A common stock. Of the outstanding shares, the shares sold in this offering (or shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, other than any shares held by our affiliates. In addition, the shares of Class A common stock issued to the Blocker Shareholders in the Transactions will be eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, other than affiliate restrictions under Rule 144. Any shares of Class A common stock held by our affiliates will be eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, subject to the volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144.

Our directors and executive officers, and substantially all of our stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities, subject to certain exceptions, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, may not, without the prior written consent of, (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of our Class A common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of our Class A common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of our Class A common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such directors, executive officers, managers and members in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant); (ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to, or which reasonably could be expected to lead to, or result in, a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition of shares of our Class A common stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Class A common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of our Class A common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock. See “Underwriting.”

In addition, we have reserved shares of Class A common stock equal to    % of the total number of outstanding LLC Interests following this offering for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Any Class A common

 

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stock that we issue under the Incentive Plan or other equity incentive plans that we may adopt in the future would dilute the percentage ownership held by the investors who purchase Class A common stock in this offering.

As restrictions on resale end or if these stockholders exercise their registration rights, the market price of our shares of Class A common stock could drop significantly if the holders of these shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional funds through future offerings of our shares of Class A common stock or other securities.

In the future, we may also issue securities in connection with investments, acquisitions or capital raising activities. In particular, the number of shares of our Class A common stock issued in connection with an investment or acquisition, or to raise additional equity capital, could constitute a material portion of our then- outstanding shares of our Class A common stock. Any such issuance of additional securities in the future may result in additional dilution to you, or may adversely impact the price of our Class A common stock.

Our stock price may change significantly following the offering, and you may not be able to resell shares of our Class A common stock at or above the price you paid or at all, and you could lose all or part of your investment as a result.

The initial public offering price for the shares was determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price due to a number of factors included herein, including the following:

 

 

results of operations that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;

 

 

results of operations that vary from those of our competitors;

 

 

changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates and investment recommendations by securities analysts and investors;

 

 

technology changes, changes in consumer behavior or changes in merchant relationships in our industry;

 

 

security breaches related to our systems or those of our merchants, affiliates or strategic partners;

 

 

changes in economic conditions for companies in our industry;

 

 

changes in market valuations of, or earnings and other announcements by, companies in our industry;

 

 

declines in the market prices of stocks generally, particularly those of global payment companies;

 

 

strategic actions by us or our competitors;

 

 

announcements by us, our competitors or our strategic partners of significant contracts, new products, acquisitions, joint marketing relationships, joint ventures, other strategic relationships, or capital commitments;

 

 

changes in general economic or market conditions or trends in our industry or the economy as a whole and, in particular, in the consumer spending environment;

 

 

changes in business or regulatory conditions;

 

 

future sales of our Class A common stock or other securities;

 

 

investor perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our Class A common stock relative to other investment alternatives;

 

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the public’s response to press releases or other public announcements by us or third parties, including our filings with the SEC;

 

 

announcements relating to litigation or governmental investigations;

 

 

guidance, if any, that we provide to the public, any changes in this guidance, or our failure to meet this guidance;

 

 

the development and sustainability of an active trading market for our stock;

 

 

changes in accounting principles; and

 

 

other events or factors, including those resulting from system failures and disruptions, natural disasters, war, acts of terrorism, an outbreak of highly infectious or contagious diseases, such as COVID-19, or responses to these events;

Furthermore, the stock market may experience extreme volatility that, in some cases, may be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of our Class A common stock is low.

In the past, following periods of market volatility, stockholders have instituted securities class action litigation. If we were involved in securities litigation, it could have a substantial cost and divert resources and the attention of management from our business regardless of the outcome of such litigation.

If you purchase shares of Class A common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of your investment.

The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock. Therefore, if you purchase shares of our Class A common stock in this offering, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds our pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering. You will experience immediate dilution of $   per share, representing the difference between our pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering and the initial public offering price. In addition, investors who purchase Class A common stock from us in this offering will have contributed     % of the aggregate price paid by all purchasers of our outstanding equity but will own only approximately     % of our outstanding equity after this offering. See “Dilution” for more detail, including the calculation of the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding the Transactions, including the consummation of this offering, expected growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms, such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

trends in crude oil and natural gas prices may affect production-related activities and production-related operating expenditures by our customers, and therefore the demand for, and profitability of, our products and services;

 

 

decreased expenditures by our customers can adversely impact our customers’ demand for our products and services and our revenue;

 

 

our operations could be adversely affected by global market and economic conditions in ways we may not be able to predict or control;

 

 

we could lose customers or generate lower revenue, operating profits and cash flows if there are significant increases in the cost of raw materials or if we are unable to obtain raw materials;

 

 

continuing inflation and cost increases may impact our sales margins and profitability;

 

 

we might be unable to successfully compete with other companies in our industry;

 

 

if we are unable to develop new products and technologies, our competitive position may be impaired, which could materially and adversely affect our sales and market share;

 

 

our products are used in operations that are subject to potential hazards inherent in the oil and natural gas industry and, as a result, we are exposed to potential liabilities that may affect our financial condition and reputation;

 

 

consolidation in our industry may impact our results of operations;

 

 

the credit risks of our customer base could result in losses;

 

 

the loss of one or more significant customers could have an adverse impact on our financial results;

 

 

changes in our customer and product mix could cause our profit margin to fluctuate;

 

 

we are subject to information technology, cybersecurity and privacy risks;

 

 

we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and if we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or

 

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otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect our business and share price;

 

 

we are subject to risks relating to existing international operations and expansion into new geographical markets;

 

 

adverse health events, such as a pandemic, could adversely affect our business, liquidity, and financial results;

 

 

failure to attract, retain and develop personnel could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;

 

 

the inability to protect or obtain patent and other intellectual property rights could adversely affect our revenue, operating profits and cash flows;

 

 

natural disasters and unusual weather conditions could have an adverse impact on our business;

 

 

our growth and results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to complete third party acquisitions on acceptable terms and integrate such acquisitions;

 

 

investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels and other Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) matters could adversely affect our access to and cost of capital and stock price;

 

 

our Credit Agreement imposes restrictions that limit our operating flexibility and such facility may not be available if financial covenants are violated or if an event of default occurs;

 

 

our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on cross-border transactions and the translation of local currency results into U.S. dollars could negatively impact our results of operations;

 

 

our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and operating flexibility;

 

 

disruptions in the capital and credit markets, low commodity prices, our debt level and other factors may restrict our ability to raise capital on favorable terms, or at all;

 

 

war, terrorism or civil unrest could harm our business;

 

 

federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to oil and natural gas development and the potential for related litigation could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays for our customers, which could reduce demand for our products;

 

 

we and our customers are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws and regulations that may increase our costs, limit the demand for our products and services or restrict our operations;

 

 

our reputation, ability to do business and results of operations may be impaired by violations of U.S. and international laws and regulations regarding, anti-bribery, trade control, trade sanctions, anti-corruption and similar laws;

 

 

tariffs and other trade measures could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows; and

 

 

changes in domestic and foreign governmental laws, regulations and policies, risks associated with emerging markets, changes in statutory tax rates and laws, and unanticipated outcomes with respect to tax audits could adversely affect our business, profitability and reputation.

 

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The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this prospectus. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Many of the important factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as otherwise required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

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OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed on July 25, 2024 and is the issuer of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. Prior to this offering and the Transactions (as defined below), all of our business operations have been conducted through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and the Original Equity Owners are the only owners of Flowco LLC. We will consummate the Transactions, excluding this offering, substantially concurrently with or prior to the consummation of this offering.

Existing Organization

Flowco LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such is generally not subject to any U.S. federal entity-level income taxes. Taxable income or loss of Flowco LLC is included in the U.S. federal income tax returns of Flowco LLC’s members. Prior to the consummation of this offering, the Original Equity Owners were the only members of Flowco LLC.

Transactions

Prior to the Transactions, we expect there will initially be one holder of common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. We will consummate the following organizational transactions in connection with this offering:

 

 

we will amend and restate the existing limited liability company agreement of Flowco LLC, which will become effective substantially concurrently with or prior to the consummation of this offering, to, among other things, (i) recapitalize all existing ownership interests in Flowco LLC into LLC Interests and (ii) issue a non-economic member interest and appoint Flowco Holdings Inc. as the sole managing member of Flowco LLC upon its acquisition of LLC Interests in connection with this offering;

 

 

we will amend and restate Flowco Holdings Inc.’s certificate of incorporation to, among other things, provide (i) for Class A common stock, with each share of our Class A common stock entitling its holder to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally and (ii) for Class B common stock, with each share of our Class B common stock entitling its holder to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally, and that shares of our Class B common stock may only be held by the Continuing Equity Owners and their respective permitted transferees as described in “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Class B Common Stock;”

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will acquire, by means of one or more mergers, the Blocker Companies and will issue to the Blocker Shareholders      shares of our Class A common stock, and the Blocker Companies will be subsequently merged into Flowco Holdings Inc.;

 

 

we will issue      shares of our Class B common stock to the Continuing Equity Owners, which is equal to the number of LLC Interests held by such Continuing Equity Owners, for nominal consideration;

 

 

we will issue      shares of our Class A common stock to the purchasers in this offering (or shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) in exchange for net proceeds of approximately $   million (or approximately $   million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

 

we will use the net proceeds from this offering to purchase     newly issued LLC Interests (or     LLC Interests if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common

 

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stock) directly from Flowco LLC at a price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

 

Flowco LLC intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of LLC Interests to Flowco Holdings Inc. to (i) repay indebtedness under our Credit Agreement; (ii) to redeem approximately $   million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share) from non-management employees; and (iii) for general corporate purposes, in each case, as described under “Use of Proceeds;” and

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will enter into (i) the Stockholders Agreement with GEC, White Deer and certain of their affiliates, (ii) the Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Continuing Equity Owners and (iii) the Tax Receivable Agreement with Flowco LLC and each of the TRA Participants. For a description of the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Organizational Structure Following the Transactions

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company and its principal asset will consist of the LLC Interests it acquires directly from Flowco LLC and indirectly from certain of the Continuing Equity Owners and the Blocker Shareholders;

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will be the sole managing member of Flowco LLC and will control the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries;

 

 

Flowco Holdings Inc. will own,      LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or      LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

 

GEC Affiliates directly and indirectly (including through certain Blocker Shareholders) will own (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holding’s common stock and approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), (ii) directly through the GEC Affiliates’ ownership of LLC Interests and indirectly through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and (iii)      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the shares of Class A common stock,  %) of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % (and, together with the      shares of Class A common stock,  %) if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

White Deer Affiliates (directly and indirectly including through certain Blocker Shareholders) will own (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock and approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately  % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), (ii) directly

 

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and indirectly through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and (iii)      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock); and

 

 

The Continuing Equity Owners (excluding GEC Affiliates and White Deer Affiliates) will collectively own (i)      LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, representing approximately   % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or      LLC Interests, representing approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) and (ii)      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock (or      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., representing approximately  % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock);

 

 

the purchasers in this offering will own (i)      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. (or      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), representing approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock and approximately   % of the economic interest in Flowco Holdings Inc. (or approximately   % of the combined voting power and approximately  % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), and (ii) through Flowco Holdings Inc.’s ownership of LLC Interests, indirectly will hold approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC (or approximately  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock).

 

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The diagram below depicts our organizational structure after giving effect to the Transactions, including this offering, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock.

 

LOGO

As the sole managing member of Flowco LLC, we will operate and control all of the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and, through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, conduct our business. Following the Transactions, including this offering, Flowco Holdings Inc. will have a minority economic interest in Flowco LLC, but will control the management of Flowco LLC as its sole managing member. As a result, Flowco Holdings Inc. will consolidate Flowco LLC and record a significant non-controlling interest in a consolidated entity in Flowco Holdings Inc.’s consolidated financial statements for the economic interest in Flowco LLC held by the Continuing Equity Owners.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus assumes the shares of Class A common stock are offered at $   per share (the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). Pursuant to the terms of the Existing LLC Agreement, the split between the number of LLC Interests among the Original Equity Owners will vary depending on the initial public offering price in this offering. The initial public offering price will also impact the relative allocation of LLC Interests issued in the Transactions among the Original Equity Owners and, in turn, the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock issued to the

 

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Original Equity Owners in the Transactions. Additionally, while the number of shares of Class A common stock being offered hereby to the public will not change, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Class A common stock sold by Flowco Holdings Inc. in this offering due to a change in the initial public offering price will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in the number of LLC Interests purchased by Flowco Holdings Inc. directly from Flowco LLC at a price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering. Therefore, the indirect economic interest in Flowco LLC represented by the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be largely unaffected by the initial public offering price. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Incorporation of Flowco Holdings Inc.

Flowco Holdings Inc., the issuer of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on July 25, 2024. Flowco Holdings Inc. has not engaged in any material business or other activities except in connection with its formation and the Transactions. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Flowco Holdings Inc. that will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of this offering will, among other things, authorize two classes of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock, each having the terms described in “Description of Capital Stock.”

Reclassification and Amendment and Restatement of the Flowco LLC Agreement

Prior to or substantially concurrently with the consummation of this offering, the existing limited liability company agreement of Flowco LLC will be amended and restated to, among other things, recapitalize its capital structure by creating a single new class of common units that we refer to as “LLC Interests” and provide for a right of redemption of common units in exchange for, at our election (as determined by at least two of our independent directors (within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE)), newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or cash. In connection with any such redemption or exchange of LLC Interests, a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock held by the relevant Continuing Equity Owner will automatically be transferred to Flowco Holdings Inc. and be canceled. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreements.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate, based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $  per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $   million (or $   million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire LLC Interests of Flowco LLC, and Flowco LLC intends to use such proceeds to: (i) repay indebtedness under our Credit Agreement; (ii) redeem approximately $   million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share) from non-management employees; and (iii) for general corporate purposes.

On August 20, 2024, Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, entered into a first lien credit agreement, or the Credit Agreement, which currently provides for a $725 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility, which has a maturity date of August 20, 2029. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, at the option of the Borrowers, either based on an alternate base rate (“ABR”) or a term SOFR rate. Loans comprising each ABR borrowing under the Credit Agreement accrue interest at the ABR plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Loans comprising each SOFR rate borrowing accrue interest at a Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, depending on the Total Leverage Ratio. Initial borrowings under the Credit Agreement in August 2024 were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under prior credit facilities of Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries and $50.0 million was used in connection with a distribution to members of Flowco LLC. Subsequently, in addition to short-term borrowings used for working capital, proceeds from borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used for an additional $50.0 million distribution to members of Flowco LLC in September 2024. For additional information, see “Description of Indebtedness.”

Assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock, each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $   million and, in turn, the net proceeds received by Flowco LLC from the sale of LLC Interests to Flowco Holdings Inc. by $   million, assuming the number of shares offered, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each 1,000,000 share increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered by us in this offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $   million and, in turn, the net proceeds received by Flowco LLC from the sale of LLC Interests to Flowco Holdings Inc. by $   million, assuming that the price per share for the offering remains at $   (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Flowco LLC will bear or reimburse Flowco Holdings Inc. for all of the expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions, including this offering.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the cash and capitalization as of September 30, 2024, as follows:

 

 

of Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries on a historical basis;

 

 

of Flowco Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the Transactions, excluding this offering; and

 

 

of Flowco Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions, including the sale of the shares of Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

For more information, please see “Our Organizational Structure,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read this information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other financial information contained in this prospectus.

 

   
     As of September 30, 2024  
     

Flowco LLC

Historical

    

Flowco

Holdings Inc.

As Adjusted(4)

    

Flowco

Holdings Inc.

Pro Forma

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,124      $ 23,124      $    
  

 

 

 

Long-term debt (including current portion)(1):

        

Credit Agreement(2)(3)

   $ 575,491      $ 575,491      $       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

     575,491        575,491             

Members’/stockholders’ equity:

        

Members’ equity:

        

Class A units

                    

Additional paid-in capital

     891,616                

Retained earnings

     24,681                

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual;     ,000,000 shares authorized and      shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

            

Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual;     ,000,000 shares authorized and      shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

            

Additional paid-in capital

            

Retained earnings

            
  

 

 

 

Total members’/stockholders’ equity

     916,297        

Non-controlling interests

            
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     916,297        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 1,514,912      $           $       

 

 

 

(1)   See “Description of Indebtedness” for a description of our currently outstanding indebtedness.

 

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(2)   Effective August 20, 2024, the Prior Estis Credit Facility was refinanced by the Credit Agreement. See “Description of Indebtedness” for a description of our currently outstanding indebtedness. As of December 5, 2024, outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreement was $621.7 million.

 

(3)   Net of debt issuance costs.

 

(4)   Does not include      restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that we expect to issue to certain directors, officers and other employees in connection with this offering (based on an assumed initial public offering price of $    per share).

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $   per share (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) each of total indebtedness, additional paid-in capital and total members’ / stockholders’ equity on a pro forma as adjusted basis by approximately $   million, assuming that the price per share for the offering remains at $   (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each 1,000,000 share increase or decrease in the number of shares offered in this offering by us would increase or decrease each of total indebtedness, additional paid-in capital and total members’ / stockholders’ equity on a pro forma as adjusted basis by approximately $   million, assuming that the price per share for the offering remains at $   (which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently intend to pay a dividend from available funds and future earnings on our Class A common stock. Because we are a holding company, our ability to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock depends on our receipt of cash distributions from Flowco LLC and, through Flowco LLC, cash distributions and dividends from our other direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends may be restricted by the terms of our Credit Agreement and any future credit agreement or any future debt or preferred equity securities of us or our subsidiaries. See “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Indebtedness” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with contractual restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our current and future indebtedness. Any such determination will also depend upon our business prospects, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and availability and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

As noted above, immediately following this offering, we will be a holding company, and our principal asset will be the LLC Interests we purchase from Flowco LLC. If and when we decide to pay a dividend in the future, we will need to cause Flowco LLC to make distributions to us in an amount sufficient to cover such dividend. If Flowco LLC makes such distributions to us, the other holders of LLC Interests will be entitled to receive pro rata distributions. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure—Our principal asset after the completion of this offering will be our interest in Flowco LLC, and, as a result, we will depend on distributions from Flowco LLC to pay our taxes and expenses, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Flowco LLC’s ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions.”

 

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DILUTION

The Continuing Equity Owners will own LLC Interests after the Transactions and in such capacity will not have any right to receive distributions from Flowco Holdings Inc. Accordingly, we have presented dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share both before and after this offering assuming that all of the holders of LLC Interests (other than Flowco Holdings Inc.) had their LLC Interests exchanged for newly-issued shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis (rather than for cash) and the automatic transfer to the Company and cancellation for no consideration of all of their shares of Class B common stock (which are not entitled to receive distributions or dividends, whether cash or stock from Flowco Holdings Inc.) in order to more meaningfully present the dilutive impact on the investors in this offering. We refer to the assumed exchange of all LLC Interests for shares of Class A common stock as described in the previous sentence as the “Assumed Exchange.”

Dilution is the amount by which the offering price paid by the purchasers of the Class A common stock in this offering exceeds the pro forma net tangible book value per share of Class A common stock after the offering. Flowco LLC’s pro forma net tangible book value as of prior to this offering and after giving effect to the other Transactions and the Assumed Exchange was a deficit of $   million. Pro forma net tangible book value per share prior to this offering is determined by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of Class A common stock deemed to be outstanding after giving effect to the Assumed Exchange.

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock after this offering.

Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering is determined by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of Class A common stock deemed to be outstanding, after giving effect to the Transactions, including this offering and the application of the proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds,” and the Assumed Exchange. Our pro forma net tangible book value as of after this offering would have been approximately a deficit of $   million, or $   per share of Class A common stock. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $   per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $   per share to new investors purchasing shares of Class A common stock in this offering. We determine dilution by subtracting the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering from the amount of cash that a new investor paid for a share of Class A common stock. The following table illustrates this dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

            $       

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of  , 2024 before this offering

   $          
  

 

 

    

Increase per share attributable to new investors in this offering

     

Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering

     

Dilution per share to new Class A common stock investors in this offering

      $       
     

 

 

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase the pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering by approximately $  , and dilution in pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share to new investors by approximately $   assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock, the pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) after the offering would be $   per share, the increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $   per share and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value to new investors would be $   per share, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share, which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The following table summarizes, as of    , 2024 after giving effect to the Transactions (including this offering) and the Assumed Exchange, the number of shares of Class A common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid, or to be paid, to us and the average price per share paid, or to be paid, by existing owners and by the new investors. The calculation below is based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, which is the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

       
     Shares Purchased      Total Consideration      Average Price
Per Share
 
      Number      Percent      Number      Percent  

Original Equity Owners

        %           %      $       

New investors

        %           %      $       
  

 

 

 

Total

        100.0%           100.0%     
  

 

 

    

 

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors and the total consideration paid by all stockholders by $   million, assuming the number of shares offered by us remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discount but before estimated offering expenses.

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share would also increase (decrease) the aggregate value of LLC Interests redeemed by Flowco LLC from certain non-management members who are non-accredited investors or would own limited interests in Flowco LLC after giving effect to liquidating distributions by the Original Equity Owners to such holders of profits units, including the number of LLC Interests allocable to such assignees under agreements with the Original Equity Owners, with such aggregate redemption amount changing from an estimated $   to $   (based on a $1.00 increase) or $   (based on a $1.00 decrease), resulting in a change in the total consideration paid and average price per share by Original Equity Owners to $   and $   (based on a $1.00 increase), or to $   and $   (based on a $1.00 decrease). Amounts differing from a $1.00 increase (decrease) will be subject to non-linear changes based on allocations determined under distribution waterfalls for the applicable profits units of the Original Equity Owners.

Except as otherwise indicated, the discussion and the tables above assume no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock. In addition, the discussion and tables above exclude shares of Class B common stock, because holders of the Class B common stock are not entitled to distributions or dividends, whether cash or stock, from Flowco Holdings Inc. The number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding after this offering as shown in the tables above is based on the number of shares outstanding as of    , 2024, after giving effect to the Transactions and the Assumed Exchange, and excludes      shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our Incentive Plan (as described in “Executive Compensation—Incentive Plan”), including approximately      shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to RSUs we intend to grant to certain of our directors, executive officers and other employees, including certain of our named executive officers, in connection with this offering as described in “Executive Compensation—IPO Grants.”

 

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To the extent any of these outstanding options are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. To the extent all of such outstanding options had been exercised as of    , 2024, the pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering would be $  , and total dilution per share to new investors would be $  .

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock:

 

 

the percentage of shares of Class A common stock held by the Original Equity Owners will decrease to approximately  % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding after this offering; and

 

 

the number of shares held by new investors will increase to      , or approximately  % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding after this offering.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (collectively, “unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information”) present our financial position and results of operations after giving pro forma effect to the accounting for the following transactions as if such transactions occurred on September 30, 2024 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and on January 1, 2023 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations:

 

(1)   The 2024 Business Combination described elsewhere in this registration statement;

 

(2)   The organizational transactions as described elsewhere in this registration statement under “Our Organizational Structure;”

 

(3)   The Tax Receivable Agreement, as described elsewhere in this registration statement under “Our Organizational Structure,” and under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions;”

 

(4)   This offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds from this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds;” and

 

(5)   Financing transactions associated with the $700 million revolving credit facility “Financing Transactions.”

We refer to the adjustments related to the 2024 Business Combination, excluding the adjustments related to the offering, as the “2024 Business Combination Adjustments.” We refer to the adjustments related to the organizational transactions, tax receivable agreement and this offering as “Transaction Adjustments.” We refer to the adjustments related to the revolving credit facility as “Financing Transaction Adjustments.”

Following the completion of the Transactions, Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company whose principal asset will consist of  % of the outstanding LLC Interests (or  % of LLC Interests if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) that it acquires directly from Flowco LLC. The remaining LLC Interests will be held by the Continuing Equity Owners. Flowco Holdings Inc. will act as the sole managing member of Flowco LLC, will operate and control the business and affairs of Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and, through Flowco LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, conduct its business.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet are derived from and should be read in conjunction with the following, which are all included elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

 

Audited financial statement of Flowco Holdings Inc. as of November 30, 2024 and related notes included elsewhere within this prospectus;

 

 

Unaudited consolidated financial statements of Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor) (“Flowco LLC”) as of September 30, 2024 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and the related notes included elsewhere within this registration statement, and the audited consolidated financial statements of Flowco LLC as of December 31, 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related notes included elsewhere within this registration statement;

 

 

Unaudited consolidated financial statements of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“FPS”) as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the related notes, and the audited consolidated

 

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financial statements of FPS as of December 31, 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related notes included elsewhere within this registration statement; and

 

 

Unaudited consolidated financial statements of Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”) as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the related notes, and the audited consolidated financial statements of Flogistix as of December 31, 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related notes included elsewhere within this registration statement.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786, “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” These unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not present any estimatable synergies and only present the 2024 Business Combination Adjustments, Financing Transaction Adjustments and Transaction Adjustments. These unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the transactions discussed above. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information reflects adjustments that are described in the accompanying notes and are based on available information and certain assumptions we believe are reasonable but are subject to change.

The 2024 Business Combination Adjustments are described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information, and principally include the impact to the statement of operations for costs incurred to complete the transaction and the ongoing impacts resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805—Business Combinations. Estis has been determined to be both the accounting acquirer and accounting predecessor of Flowco LLC and Flowco Holdings Inc. in the 2024 Business Combination for financial reporting purposes primarily based on its relative size when compared to the other two merging entities, majority of economics, majority of board seats nominated as well as significant representation on the executive management team upon the closing. Flowco LLC prior to the 2024 Business Combination was determined to lack commercial substance as it had not engaged in any business activities and therefore, one or more of the operating companies would be deemed the accounting acquirer. For a description of the 2024 Business Combination, see “Business—2024 Business Combination.”

The Transaction Adjustments are described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information and principally include the following:

 

 

the amendment and restatement of the limited liability company agreement of Flowco LLC to, among other things, issue a non-economic member interest and appoint Flowco Holdings Inc. as the sole managing member of Flowco LLC and provide certain redemption rights to the Continuing Equity Owners;

 

 

the redemption by Flowco LLC of LLC Interests from certain non-management members who are non-accredited investors or would own limited interests in Flowco LLC after giving effect to liquidating distributions by the Original Equity Owners, for an aggregate of approximately $   (based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discount);

 

 

the issuance of      shares of our Class A common stock to the investors in this offering in exchange for net proceeds of approximately $   (based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the underwriting discount but before estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

 

the payment of fees and expenses related to this offering and the application of the net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock in this offering to purchase LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, at a purchase price per LLC Interest equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock

 

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less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, with such LLC Interests representing  % of the outstanding LLC Interests; and

 

 

the application by Flowco LLC of the proceeds from the sale of LLC Interests to us as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

Except as otherwise indicated, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information presented assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock in the offering.

As a public company, we will be implementing additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. We expect to incur additional annual expenses related to these additional procedures and processes and, among other things, additional directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, additional expenses associated with complying with the reporting requirements of the SEC, transfer agent fees, costs relating to additional accounting, legal and administrative personnel, increased auditing, tax and legal fees, stock exchange listing fees and other public company expenses. We have not included any pro forma adjustments relating to these costs in the information below.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is included for informational purposes only. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of our results of operations or financial condition had the 2024 Business Combination, Financing Transaction and the Transaction including this offering, occurred on the dates assumed. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information also does not project our results of operations or financial position for any future period or date. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors,” “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data,” “Selected Historical Condensed Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Flowco Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As of September 30, 2024

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 

         
      Flowco LLC      Transaction
Adjustments
             Pro Forma  

Assets

           

Current Assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,124      $             (1 )     $       
           (8 )    

Accounts receivable—trade, net

     110,311        -           110,311  

Inventory

     169,113        -           169,113  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     6,435        -           6,435  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total current assets

     308,983           

Property, plant and equipment, net

     694,624        -           694,624  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     18,109        -           18,109  

Finance lease right-of-use assets

     21,535        -           21,535  

Intangible assets, net

     285,856        -           285,856  

Deferred tax assets

     -           (2   

Goodwill

     267,524        -           267,524  

Other assets

     9,107           (7   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,605,738           
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Liabilities And Members’/Stockholders’ Equity

           

Current Liabilities

           

Accounts payable

     32,348        -           32,348  

Accrued expenses

     36,239        -           36,239  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     6,381        -           6,381  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     9,185        -           9,185  

Deferred revenue

     6,056        -           6,056  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     90,209        -           90,209  

Long-term Liabilities

           

Tax receivable agreement liability

     -           (3   

Long-term debt

     575,491           (8   

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     11,751        -           11,751  

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     11,990        -           11,990  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     599,232           
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     689,441           

Members’/Stockholders’ Equity

           

Class A units

     -        -           -  

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     -           (5   

Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     -           (5   

Additional paid-in capital

     891,616           (6   

Retained Earnings

     24,681        -           24,681  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Members’/Stockholders’ Equity

     916,297           
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

     -           (4   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total equity

     916,297           
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Members’/Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 1,605,738      $           $    

 

 

See accompanying “Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”

 

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Flowco Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

                     
     Flowco LLC     FPS (6)
(3/31)
    Flogistix (6)
(3/31)
    FPS (6)
(4/1-6/19)
    Flogistix (6)
(4/1-6/19)
   

2024

Business
Combination
Adjustments

    Pro Forma
as adjusted
for the 2024
Business
Combination
Adjustments
   

Financing
Transaction
Adjustments

    Transaction
Adjustments
    Pro Forma  

Revenues

                   

Rentals

  $ 184,982     $     $ 34,953     $     $ 31,732     $     $ 251,667     $     $   —     $ 251,667  

Sales

    164,303       60,638       9,663       52,640       8,356             295,600                   295,600  
 

 

 

 

Total revenues

    349,285       60,638     $ 44,616       52,640       40,088             547,267                   547,267  

Operating expense

                   

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

    48,956             12,052             11,326             72,334                   72,334  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

    124,073       39,069       6,926       33,614       5,900       (7,921 )(1iii)      201,661                   201,661  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    36,204       8,710       7,390       8,615       6,275         67,194                (5)   

Depreciation and amortization

    56,502       2,098       8,895       2,044       8,378       11,224 (1i)      88,351                   88,351  
              (790 )(1ii)         

Loss on sale of equipment

    727       204             122                   1,053                   1,053  
 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

    82,823       10,557       9,353       8,245       8,209       (2,513     116,674            

Other income (expense)

                   

Interest expense

    (22,174     (671     (4,231     (480     (3,937           (31,493     (1,402) (7)         (8)   

Loss on debt extinguishment

    (221                                   (221                 (221

Other income

          8       66       144                   218                   218  

Other expense

    (1,813     (138                 (877           (2,828                 (2,828
 

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

    (24,208     (801     (4,165     (336     (4,814           (34,324     (1,402    
 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

    58,615       9,756       5,188       7,909       3,395       (2,513     82,350       (1,402    

Provision for income taxes

    (702     (188           (637                 (1,527              (2)   
 

 

 

 

Net income

    57,913       9,568       5,188       7,272       3,395       (2,513     80,823       (1,402    
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

                                                       (3)   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to members and class A common stockholders

  $ 57,913     $ 9,568     $ 5,188     $ 7,272     $ 3,395     $ (2,513   $ 80,823     $ (1,402   $       $    
 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share(4):

                   

Earnings per unit attributable to Flowco LLC Members (basic and diluted)

  $ 8.34                    

Weighted average Class A Units outstanding (basic and diluted)

    6,941,971                     $    

Earnings per unit attributable to Flowco Holdings, Inc.’s shareholders (basic and diluted)

                   

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (basic)

                   

Incremental shares of Class A common stock attributable to dilutive instruments

                   

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (diluted)

                   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying “Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”

 

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Flowco Holdings Inc.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended December 31, 2023

(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

                 
    

Flowco LLC

    FPS (6)     Flogistix (6)     2024 Business
Combination
Adjustments
    Pro Forma as
adjusted for
the 2024
Business
Combination
Adjustments
    Financing
Transaction
Adjustments
    Transaction
Adjustments
    Pro Forma  

Revenues

               

Rentals

  $ 168,801     $     $ 120,183     $     $ 288,984     $     $     $ 288,984  

Sales

    74,522       229,468       72,337             376,327                   376,327  
 

 

 

 

Total revenues

    243,323       229,468       192,520             665,311                   665,311  

Operating expense

               

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

    42,179         43,401             85,580                   85,580  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

    62,599       148,036       52,382       13,057 (1iii)      276,074                   276,074  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    15,219       32,483       26,690         74,392             (5)   

Depreciation and amortization

    43,822       7,392       30,016       23,273  (1i)      109,822                   109,822  
          5,319 (1ii)         

Loss on sale of equipment, net

    1,170       95                   1,265                   1,265  
 

 

 

 

Income from operations

    78,334       41,462       40,031       (41,649     118,178        

Other income (expense)

               

Interest expense

    (18,956     (2,439     (14,743           (36,138     (10,697 )(7)      (8)   

Other income

          1,006       203             1,209               1,209  

Other expense

    (1,289     (808                 (2,097             (2,097
 

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

    (20,245     (2,241     (14,540           (37,026     (10,697    
 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

    58,089       39,221       25,491       (41,649     81,152       (10,697    

Provision for income taxes

          (624                 (624           (2)   
 

 

 

 

Net income

    58,089       38,597       25,491       (41,649     80,528       (10,697    
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

                                        (3)   
 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to members and common stockholders

  $ 58,089     $ 38,597     $ 25,491     $ (41,649   $ 80,528     $ (10,697   $       $    
 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share(4):

               

Earnings per unit attributable to Flowco LLC Members (basic and diluted)

  $ 11.39                

Weighted average Class A Units outstanding (basic and diluted)

    5,100,000                

Earnings per unit attributable to Flowco Holdings, Inc.’s shareholders (basic and diluted)

                $    

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (basic)

               

Incremental shares of Class A common stock attributable to dilutive instruments

               

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (diluted)

               

See accompanying “Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786, “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” Release No. 33-10786 replaces the existing pro forma adjustment criteria, which simplified requirements to depict the accounting for the transactions and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur. These unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not present any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings and only present the 2024 Business Combination Adjustments and Transaction Adjustments. These unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the transactions discussed above.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments detailed below are based on currently available information and assumptions and methodologies that management believes are reasonable. The pro forma adjustments described below, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and it is possible that the difference may be material. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information does not necessarily reflect what the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the 2024 Business Combination, organizational transactions, tax receivable agreement, financing transactions and this offering occurred on the dates indicated. They also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.

The pro forma balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 assumes that the 2024 Business Combination, organizational transactions, tax receivable agreement, financing transactions and this offering occurred on September 30, 2024 while the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 assume these transactions occurred on January 1, 2023.

Pro forma adjustments to the condensed consolidated balance sheet

Total consideration for the 2024 Business Combination was $854.6 million comprised of $589.3 million of identifiable net assets acquired and $265.3 million of goodwill from the contributed businesses of Flogistix and Flowco LLC. The effects of the 2024 Business Combination are reflected in the historical balance sheet of Flowco LLC and therefore no 2024 Business Combination Adjustments are reflected within the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet. The net assets acquired consisted of primarily property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; accounts receivable; lease assets; accounts payable; accrued liabilities; long-term debt and lease liabilities. Preliminary fair value measurements were made for acquired assets and liabilities, and adjustments to those measurements may be made in subsequent periods (up to one year from the acquisition date) as information necessary to complete the fair value analysis is obtained. Fair value was determined in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, and ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The

 

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balance sheet effects of the 2024 Business Combination were made assuming the adjustments were made as of the beginning of the fiscal year presented.

 

Gross proceeds

   $        

Payment of underwriting discount

  

Purchase of newly issued LLC interests

  

Redemption of LLC interests

  

Payment of other offering expenses

  
  

 

 

 

Net proceeds

   $    

(1) Reflects the net effect on cash of the receipt of offering proceeds to us of $   million, based on the assumed sale of      shares of Class A common stock at an assumed initial public offering of $   per share, the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discount, purchase of newly issued LLC Interests, redemption of certain LLC interests and estimated offering expenses payable by us. These amounts, as described in “Use of Proceeds,” relate to:

(a) payment of $   million to purchase       newly issued LLC Interests (or       LLC Interests if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) directly from Flowco LLC at an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

(b) payment by Flowco LLC of $   million to redeem LLC Interests from certain non-management employees, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share, the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus;

(c) payment of approximately $   million of underwriting discount; and

(d) payment of approximately $   million of estimated other offering expenses, exclusive of the underwriting discount.

(2) We are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes. This adjustment reflects the recognition of deferred taxes in connection with the organizational transactions of Flowco Holdings Inc. assuming a pro forma blended statutory tax rate, which includes a provision for U.S. federal, state and local taxes. We have recorded a pro forma deferred tax asset adjustment of $   million. The deferred tax asset includes (i) $   million related to temporary differences in the book basis as compared to the tax basis of our investment in Flowco LLC, (ii) $   million related to tax benefits from future deductions attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement as described further in note (3) below and (iii) $   million related to the book versus tax basis differences inside the entities owned by Flowco LLC.

(3) As described in greater detail under “Our Organizational Structure” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement,” in connection with the completion of this offering, we will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement with Flowco LLC and each of the TRA Participants that will provide for the payment by Flowco Holdings Inc. to the TRA Participants of 85% of the amount of certain tax benefits, if any, that Flowco Holdings Inc. actually realizes, or in some circumstances is deemed to realize for purposes of tax reporting, as a result of: (i) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (ii) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (iii) increases in tax basis resulting from (a) the purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) any future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests from the Continuing Equity Owners, as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions— Flowco Agreement—Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of this Offering—Common Unit Redemption Right,” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC; and (iv) certain additional tax benefits arising from payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

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Due to the uncertainty in the amount and timing of future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests by the Continuing Equity Owners, the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information assumes that no redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests have occurred and, therefore, no increases in tax basis in Flowco LLC’s assets or other tax benefits that may be realized thereunder have been assumed in the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information.

Assuming there are no material changes in the relevant tax laws and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and assuming all exchanges or redemptions would occur immediately after the initial public offering, based on the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share of our Class A common stock, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we would be required to pay approximately $   million over the fifteen-year period from the date of this offering. The actual amounts we will be required to pay under the Tax Receivable Agreement and the actual amount of deferred tax assets and related liabilities that we will recognize as a result of any such future exchanges or redemptions will differ based on, among other things: (i) the amount and timing of future exchanges or redemptions of the LLC Interests, as applicable, and the extent to which such exchanges or redemptions are taxable; (ii) the price per share of our Class A common stock at the time of the exchanges or redemptions; (iii) the amount and timing of future income against which to offset the tax benefits; and (iv) the tax rates then in effect.

(4) Upon completion of the Transactions, we will become the sole managing member of Flowco LLC. Although we will have a minority economic interest in Flowco LLC, we will have the sole voting interest in, and control of

the management of, Flowco LLC. As a result, we will consolidate the financial results of Flowco LLC and will report a noncontrolling interest related to the interests in Flowco LLC held by the Continuing Equity Holders on our consolidated balance sheet. Immediately following the Transactions, the economic interests held by the noncontrolling interest will be approximately  %. If the underwriters were to exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock in full, the economic interests held by the noncontrolling interest would be approximately  %.

(5) Reflects (a) the issuance of      shares of our Class A common stock as consideration for the Blocker Mergers (in exchange for our acquisition of the Blocker Companies), and (b) the issuance of a number of shares of our Class B common stock to the Continuing Equity Holders, equal to the number of LLC Interests retained by each, for nominal consideration.

(6) The following table is a reconciliation of the adjustments impacting additional paid-in-capital:

 

   

Net adjustment from recognition of deferred tax asset and Tax Receivable Agreement liability

   $       

Costs associated with offering (excluding underwriting costs)

  

Underwriting costs associated with this offering

  

Adjustment for non-controlling interest

  
  

 

 

 

Net additional paid-in capital pro forma adjustment

   $    

 

 

(7) We have deferred certain costs associated with this offering. These costs primarily represent legal, accounting and other direct costs recorded in other assets in our combined balance sheet. Upon completion of this offering, these deferred costs will be charged against the proceeds from this offering with a corresponding reduction to additional paid-in capital.

(8) Reflects the use of proceeds from this offering to repay indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and to redeem approximately $   million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $   per share) from non-management employees

 

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Pro forma adjustments to the condensed consolidated statement of operations

(1) Represents (i) the change in depreciation expense resulting from the fair value adjustment to property and equipment related to the 2024 Business Combination, (ii) the change in amortization expenses resulting from the fair value adjustment to intangible assets related to the 2024 Business Combination, (iii) general and administrative expenses associated with the resetting of operating and finance leases through purchase accounting in connection with the 2024 Business Combination, and (iv) the incremental cost of sales resulting from the fair value adjustment to inventory related to the 2024 Business Combination. The following tables represents the pro forma adjustment to depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023:

(i)(ii)

 

       
     

Elimination of

historical expense
for the year ended
December 31, 2023

   

Estimated expense

for the year ended

December 31, 2023

    

Pro forma

adjustment

 

Depreciation expense

   $ (29,716   $ 35,035      $ 5,319  

Amortization expense

     (3,225     26,498        23,273  
  

 

 

 

 

       
     

Elimination of

historical expense

for the period
ended June 19, 2024

   

Estimated expense

for the period

ended June 19, 2024

    

Pro forma

adjustment

 

Depreciation expense

   $ (17,345   $ 16,555      $ (790

Amortization expense

     (1,297     12,521        11,224  
  

 

 

 

 

         
FPS Property, plant and equipment   

Preliminary fair

value

    

Weighted

average useful

life in years

    

Estimated

expense for

the year

ended

December 31,

2023

    

Estimated

expense for the

period ended

June 19, 2024

 

Land

   $        N/A      $      $  

Buildings

     2        5 - 28                

Machinery and Equipment

       20,675        1 - 7.5        1,880        888  

Furniture and Fixture

     21        2.5 - 4.5        9        4  

Computers and IT Equipment

     530        2 - 12        241        114  

Vehicles

     2,335        3 - 8        8        4  

Leasehold Improvements

     27        1 - 7        338        160  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 23,590         $ 2,476      $ 1,170  

 

 

 

         
Flogistix property, plant and equipment    Preliminary fair
value
     Weighted
average useful
life in years
    

Estimated
expense for
the year

ended
December 31,
2023

    

Estimated
expense for the
period ended

June 19, 2024

 

Land

   $ 172        N/A      $      $  

Buildings

     1,042        35        30        14  

Furniture and Fixtures

     1,365        3 - 9        254        120  

Software

     2,461        5        537        254  

Machinery and Equipment

     343,377        4 - 11.5        30,884        14,593  

Vehicles

     1,859        8        228        108  

Leasehold Improvements

     5,111        8        626        296  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Fair value of property and equipment acquired

   $ 355,387         $ 32,559      $ 15,385  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

   $ 378,977         $ 35,035      $ 16,555  

 

 

 

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FPS intangible assets    Preliminary fair
value
     Weighted
average useful
life in years
     Estimated expense
for the year ended
December 31, 2023
    

Estimated expense

for the period ended
June 19, 2024

 

Customer relationships

   $ 113,000        9.0      $ 12,556      $ 5,933  

Trade Name

     39,000        10.0        3,900        1,843  

Developed technology

     39,000        10.0        3,900        1,843  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

   $ 191,000         $ 20,356      $ 9,619  

 

 

 

         
Flogistix intangible assets    Preliminary fair
value
     Weighted
average useful
life in years
     Estimated expense
for the year ended
December 31, 2023
    

Estimated expense

for the period ended

June 19, 2024

 

Customer relationships

   $ 28,400        14.0      $ 2,104      $ 994  

Trade Name

     16,650        10.0        1,665        787  

Developed technology

     47,450        20.0        2,373        1,121  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Fair value of intangible assets required

   $ 92,500         $ 6,142      $ 2,902  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

   $ 283,500         $ 26,498      $ 12,521  

 

 

Expense resulting from the 2024 Business Combination is calculated by estimating the fair value of the property and equipment and intangible assets and then assessing the appropriate useful life. We then depreciated and amortized those assets, respectively, for the period of time they were not included within the consolidated Flowco LLC statement of operations to understand the pro forma adjustment. Assets are depreciated and amortized using the straight-line method.

(iii)

Reflects the impact to the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations resulting from an incremental $13 million inventory fair value step-up. The $13 million is reflected as an increase to cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 as it is expected to be sold within one year from the 2024 Business Combination date. The pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 is also adjusted to decrease cost of sales by the amount expensed within the September 30, 2024 financial statements.

(2) Following the Transactions, we will be subject to United States federal income taxes, in addition to applicable state and local taxes, with respect to our allocable share of any net taxable income of Flowco LLC. As a result, the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations includes an adjustment to our income tax expense to reflect an effective income tax rate of  %, which includes a provision for United States federal income taxes and assumes the highest statutory rates apportioned to each state and local jurisdiction.

(3) After the Transactions we will become the managing member of Flowco LLC. We will own  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC, but will have  % of the voting power and control the management of Flowco LLC. The Continuing Equity Owners will own the remaining  % of the economic interest in Flowco LLC, which will be accounted for as a noncontrolling interest in our future consolidated financial results.

(4) The weighted average number of shares underlying the basic earnings per share calculation reflects only the      shares of Class A common stock outstanding after the offering as they are the only outstanding shares which participate in distributions or dividends by Flowco Holdings Inc. The net proceeds from the sale of      shares of Class A common stock in this offering will be used to (i) acquire   newly issued LLC Interests from Flowco LLC, and (ii) for Flowco LLC to redeem   outstanding LLC Interests in Flowco LLC from certain of non-management equity holders, in each case at a purchase price per LLC Interest equal to the initial offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering, less the underwriting discount. In turn, Flowco LLC intends to

 

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apply the balance of the net proceeds it receives to (i) repay indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, and (ii) for general corporate purposes. The remaining      shares of Class A common stock to be sold in the offering are not included in the pro forma basic and diluted net income per share calculations as the proceeds received from the sale of these shares will be used for general corporate purposes, see “Use of Proceeds.” Pro forma diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting pro forma net loss attributable to Flowco Holdings Inc. and the weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding to give effect to potentially dilutive securities that qualify as participating securities using the treasury stock method, as applicable.

 

     
     

Nine months ended

September 30,

2024

    

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 

Earnings per share of common stock

     

Numerator:

     

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Flowco Holdings Inc.’s stockholders (basic and diluted)

   $       

Denominator:

     

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (basic)

     

Incremental shares of Class A common stock attributable to dilutive instruments(a)

     
     

 

 

 

Weighted average of shares of Class A common stock outstanding (diluted)

     

Basic earnings per share

   $       
  

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $       

 

 

 

(a)   The incremental shares of Class A common stock attributable to dilutive instruments includes     shares of Class B common stock assumed to be exchanged by non-controlling interest holders and that RSU awards were issued and outstanding as of January 1, 2023.

(5) Reflects incremental compensation expense for existing profit units held by employees of Flowco LLC that will vest in connection with the organizational transactions. While the existing profit units are held at the Estis Member, FPS Member and Flogistix Member levels, these profits units are held by employees of Flowco LLC. The existing profit units are held at Estis Member, FPS Member and Flogistix Member but held by employees of Flowco LLC. As such, upon completion of the organizational transactions, the respective plans governing these profit units will end with all profits units vesting. The vesting of the legacy plans results in any unrecognized compensation expense associated to the profits units being recognized. A portion of the profits units previously outstanding are referenced within the Predecessor Member Profit Units section included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Additionally, reflects an aggregate of   restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that we expect to issue to certain directors, officers and other employees in connection with this offering based on an assumed initial public offering price of $   per share.

(6) Reflects the reclassification of historical Flogistix and FPS financial statement line items to conform to the expected financial statement line items of the combined company following the 2024 Business Combination.

 

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Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations reclassification adjustments included the following (in thousands):

 

         

Flogistix historical condensed

consolidated statement of

operations line items

 

Combined condensed

consolidated statement of

operations line items

  4/1/2024 - 6/19/2024     Three months ended
March 31, 2024
   

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 

Field services revenue

  Rental revenue   $ 31,732     $ 34,953     $ 120,183  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales revenue

  Sales revenue     5,334       4,617       58,270  

Aftermarket part sales and services revenue

  Sales revenue     2,702       4,738       13,179  

Other revenue

  Sales revenue     320       308       888  
   

 

 

 
  Total revenues   $ 40,088     $ 44,616     $ 192,520  

Cost of field services revenue

  Cost of rentals   $ 11,326     $ 12,052     $ 43,401  

Cost of compressor and fabricated equipment sales

  Cost of sales     3,593       3,288       41,517  

Cost of aftermarket part sales and services

  Cost of sales     2,041       3,355       9,931  

Cost of other revenue

  Cost of sales     266       283       934  
   

 

 

 
  Total cost of rentals and sales   $ 17,226     $ 18,978     $ 95,783  

 

 

 

         
    

Reclassed flogistix

historical condensed

consolidated statement

of operations line items

  4/1/2024 - 6/19/2024    

Three months ended

March 31, 2024

   

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 
 

Rental revenue

  $ 31,732     $ 34,953     $ 120,183  
 

Sales revenue

    8,356       9,663       72,337  
   

 

 

 
 

Total revenue

  $ 40,088     $ 44,616     $ 192,520  
 

Costs of rentals

  $ 11,326     $ 12,052     $ 43,401  
 

Cost of sales

    5,900       6,926       52,382  
   

 

 

 
 

Total cost of rentals and sales

  $ 17,226     $ 18,978     $ 95,783  

 

 
       

FPS historical condensed

consolidated statement of

operations line items

  

Combined condensed consolidated

statement of operations line items

   Three months ended
March 31, 2024
    

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 

Sales revenue

   Sales revenue    $ 49,504      $ 189,192  

Service revenue

   Sales revenue      11,134        40,276  
     

 

 

 
      $ 60,638      $ 229,468  

Sales

   Cost of sales    $ 26,727      $ 101,611  

Service

   Cost of sales      4,624        18,555  
     

 

 

 
      $ 31,351      $ 120,166  

 

 

 

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Reclassed FPS historical condensed

consolidated statement

of operations line items

   Three months ended
March 31, 2024
    

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 
  

Sales revenue

   $ 60,638      $ 229,468  
     

 

 

 
  

Total Revenue

   $ 60,638      $ 229,468  
  

Cost of sales

   $ 31,351      $ 120,166  
  

Reclassification from selling, general and administrative expenses

     7,718        27,870  
     

 

 

 
  

Total cost of sales

   $ 39,069      $ 148,036  

 

 

 

       
     

Historical selling, general and

administrative expenses

   Three months ended
March 31, 2024
   

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 
  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 16,428     $ 60,353  
  

Reclassification adjustment to cost of sales

     (7,718     (27,870
     

 

 

 
  

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 8,710     $ 32,483  

 

 

(7) The adjustment to record interest expense assumes the $575.5 million outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility was obtained on January 1, 2023 and was outstanding for the entire year ended December 31, 2023 and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The interest rate assumed for purposes of preparing this unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is 7.3%. This rate is the benchmark rate of 5.3% on September 30, 2024, plus the margins specified in the agreement.

The following adjustments have been recorded to Interest Expense:

 

     
      Nine months ended
September 30, 2024
   

Year ended

December 31, 2023

 

Estimated interest expense on the Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 31,508     $ 42,011  

Amortization of debt issuance costs associated with Revolving Credit Facility

     911       1,215  

Removal of historical interest expense

     (31,017     (32,529
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing adjustments to interest expense

   $ 1,402     $ 10,697  

 

 

A 1/8 of a percentage point increase or decrease in the benchmark rate would result in a change in interest expense of approximately $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and approximately $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

(8) Reflects the decrease in interest expense due to the use of proceeds from this offering to repay indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This section presents management’s perspective on our financial condition and results of operations. The following discussion and analysis are intended to highlight and supplement data and information presented elsewhere in this prospectus, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes, and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying tables and our annual audited financial statements. To the extent that this discussion describes prior performance, the descriptions relate only to the periods listed, which may not be indicative of our future financial outcomes. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward- looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information.” We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements. Additionally, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future.

Business Overview

We are a leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions for the oil and natural gas industry. Our principal products and services are organized into two business segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies. We generate revenues throughout the long producing lives of oil and natural gas wells. Our products are chosen due to their reliability and ability to aid our customers in achieving maximum output and cash flow from their producing wells. Our products and services also integrate proprietary digital technologies that allow for remote monitoring and controls, and other enhanced uses of our equipment. We have an operating presence in every major onshore oil and natural gas producing region in the U.S.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

Business Environment

We monitor macroeconomic conditions and industry-specific drivers and key risk factors affecting our business segments as we formulate our strategic plans and make decisions related to allocating capital and human resources. Our business segments provide products and services to support oil and natural gas production. As a result, we are substantially dependent upon global oil production levels, as well as operating expenditures and new investment activity levels in the oil and natural gas sector. Demand for our products and services is impacted by overall global demand for oil and natural gas, ongoing depletion rates of existing oil and natural gas wells, and our customers’ willingness to invest in the development of new oil and natural gas resources. Our customers determine their operating and capital budgets based on current and expected future crude oil and natural gas prices and expectation of industry cost levels, among other factors. Crude oil and natural gas prices are impacted by supply and demand, which are influenced by geopolitical, macroeconomic, and local events, and have historically been subject to substantial volatility and cyclicality.

Management utilizes Adjusted EBITDA as our key performance metric. We have included a discussion and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA below within our results of operations. The underlying performance of our business is directly affected by our customer base, product mix, key contract terms and geographic footprint. We aim to provide customers the products they need when they need them, and high-quality service to gain and retain customers across our geographical markets. We continuously track the number and diversification of active systems we offer, as well as the length and competitive pricing of our contracts. The customer, product

 

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and geographical mix and concentration as well as pricing and contract length are all performance areas that are monitored and evaluated by us on an ongoing basis; however, we do not currently have specific performance metrics we regularly measure surrounding these areas.

Industry Conditions and Outlook

Oil prices in 2024 have remained volatile due to continued geopolitical turmoil, offset by concerns over production levels of major producing countries and a declining demand outlook.

In early 2024, crude oil prices strengthened amid concerns that escalating conflict in the Middle East could spread, threatening critical shipping routes and global oil supply. However, as global oil production remained stable, supply uncertainty dissipated, causing oil prices to decline from April highs. In June, OPEC+ agreed to extend production cuts of 3.7 million barrels per day until the end of 2025 and prolonged voluntary production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day through September 2024.

During the second half of 2024, oil prices continued to fluctuate. Initial fears of a U.S. recession weighed on prices, but were offset by continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, easing U.S. recession concerns, and the extension of OPEC+ voluntary production cuts through November 2024, which drove prices to rebound from six-month lows. After the U.S. presidential election, oil prices trended lower as concerns for ongoing supply and demand imbalances persisted. The IEA currently forecasts global oil supply to exceed demand by more than one million barrels per day in 2025, even with OPEC+ production cuts, due in part to increasing U.S. oil production.

Longer term, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) forecasts U.S. crude oil production will continue to grow over the next five years, driven in part by increases in well efficiency, even with the deployment of fewer active drilling rigs, and assuming no new adverse laws or regulations. This growth in U.S. oil production follows approximately 15 years of U.S. unconventional shale development, a period in which spot oil prices fluctuated between approximately $120 per barrel to below $0 per barrel and U.S. onshore active rig count declined from approximately 1,800 rigs to below 600 rigs. During this same period, U.S. oil production grew from 5 million barrels per day to 13 million barrels per day, and the U.S. is currently the largest global producer of oil.

While we anticipate continued variability in oil and natural gas prices, we believe commodity prices will remain constructive to incentivize oil producer operational spending, particularly within our key markets. We expect ongoing investment in the U.S. onshore market, driven by population growth, increased per capita energy consumption, energy security concerns, growing importance of U.S. oil and natural gas production, production optimization for decline management, the short-cycle nature of unconventional shale wells and continued investment in exploration and appraisal activity.

In recent years, U.S. producers focused on capital discipline have been able to realize operational efficiencies and to increase total U.S. production despite onshore rig count remaining below previous peak levels.

Producers are increasingly focused on optimizing production to limit production decline rates and to maximize production in a capital efficient manner. Our services and products provide solutions to meet these industry needs and demands by maximizing production, minimizing downtime and limiting decline rates at all stages of a well’s lifecycle.

Costs Related to Becoming a Public Company

Following this offering, we expect to incur increased costs associated with the requirements of operating as a public company. We will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable law. These requirements will increase our accounting, legal and financial compliance costs and may also significantly impact the time and attention of our senior management team.

 

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2024 Business Combination and Subsequent Transactions

Flowco MergeCo LLC (“Flowco LLC”) was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to a certificate of formation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in June 2024. Flowco LLC entered into a contribution agreement with (i) GEC Estis Holdings LLC (“Estis Member”),(ii) Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“FPS Member”) and (iii) Flogistix Holdings, LLC, (“Flogistix Member”, collectively, the “Members”), pursuant to which, the Members contributed 100% of the membership interests of each of Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Estis Intermediate”), Flowco Productions LLC (“Flowco Productions”) and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Intermediate”) to Flowco LLC in exchange for Series A Units of Flowco LLC proportionate to the value of the contributed entities (hereinafter the “2024 Business Combination”). In connection with the 2024 Business Combination, (i) the Estis Member contributed substantially all of its assets (including membership interests in Estis Compression LLC (“Estis”)) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Estis Intermediate to Flowco LLC; (ii) FPS Member also contributed substantially all of its assets to Flowco Productions LLC immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions LLC to Flowco LLC; and (iii) Flogistix Member also contributed substantially all of its assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”). The 2024 Business Combination was consummated on June 20, 2024. As a result of the 2024 Business Combination, our Members acquired the ownership interests in Flowco LLC: (i) GEC Estis Holdings, LLC (i.e., the Estis Member)—51%; Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (i.e., the FPS Member)—26%; and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (i.e., the Flogistix Member)—23%.

In August 2024, Flowco LLC contributed all of the equity interest in each of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix to another wholly owned subsidiary, Flowco MasterCo LLC, which is the current direct owner of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate. The purpose of Flowco LLC is to carry on the business activities of each of the contributed entities, including production optimization and related oilfield services business lines.

Flowco Holdings Inc. was incorporated on Delaware in July 25, 2024 in connection with this offering and has engaged to date only in activities in contemplation of this offering. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this offering, Flowco Holdings Inc. will be a holding company, and its sole material assets will be its ownership interests in Flowco LLC. Upon completion of this offering, all of our business will be conducted through Flowco LLC and its subsidiaries, and the financial results of Flowco LLC will be included in the consolidated financial statements of Flowco Holdings Inc.

Flowco LLC has been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and accordingly has not been subject to U.S. federal income tax. After consummation of this offering, Flowco LLC will continue to be treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result of its direct or indirect ownership of partnership units in Flowco LLC, Flowco Holdings Inc. will become subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes with respect to its allocable share of any taxable income of Flowco LLC and will be taxed at the prevailing corporate tax rates. In addition to tax expenses, Flowco Holdings Inc. also will incur expenses related to our operations and it will be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the TRA Participants. Due to the uncertainty of various factors, the payments that we may be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the TRA Participants may be significant and are dependent upon sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the potential future tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

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Results of Operations

The following discussions relating to significant line items from our consolidated statements of operations are based on available information and represent our analysis of significant changes or events that impact the comparability of reported amounts. Where appropriate, we have identified specific events and changes that affect comparability or trends and, where reasonably practicable, have quantified the impact of such items.

We currently have two operating segments: Production Solutions (“PS”); and Natural Gas Technologies (“NGT”). Our corporate headquarters and certain functional departments do not earn revenues but incur costs which do not constitute business activities. Therefore, these corporate headquarters and certain functional departments do not qualify as an operating segment and have been included within corporate and other, which is also not considered a reportable segment. Corporate and other includes (i) corporate and overhead costs, and (ii) capitalized costs related to the initial public offering (the “IPO”) and debt issuance and does not include any immaterial and aggregated operating segments. Our results of operations are evaluated by the Chief Executive Officer on a consolidated basis as well as at the segment level. The performance of our operating segments is primarily evaluated based on revenue and Adjusted EBITDA with respect to such segments, in addition to other measures.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table presents our summary condensed consolidated operating results for the periods presented. Prior to June 20, 2024, all operating results reflect our predecessor Estis.

 

       
     Nine Months Ended September 30,              
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)    2024     2023     Change
($)
    Change
(%)
 

Revenues

        

Rentals

   $ 184,982     $ 123,905     $ 61,077       49%  

Sales

     164,303       43,956       120,347       274%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     349,285       167,861       181,424       108%  

Operating expenses

        

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     48,956       31,382       17,574       56%  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     124,073       36,390       87,683       241%  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     36,204       11,688       24,516       210%  

Depreciation and amortization

     56,502       32,078       24,424       76%  

Loss on sale of equipment

     727       764       (37     -5%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     82,823       55,559       27,264       49%  

Other expenses

        

Interest expense

     (22,174     (14,671     (7,503     51%  

Loss on debt extinguishment

     (221           (221     100%  

Other expenses

     (1,813     (481     (1,332     277%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses

     (24,208     (15,152     (9,056     60%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     58,615       40,407       18,208       45%  

Provision for income taxes

     (702     (379     (323     85%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 57,913     $ 40,028     $ 17,885       45%  

 

 

 

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Revenue—Rentals. Rental revenue was $185.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $61.1 million, or 49%, from $123.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. $43.1 million of increase in rental revenue relates to the Natural Gas Technologies segment from companies acquired in the 2024 Business Combination. The remaining $18.0 million increase in rental revenue relates to the Production Solutions segment, which was driven by an increase of 27 average active systems from 1,398 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 1,425 average active systems for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and a $1,219 increase in average monthly price from $9,851 per unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $11,070 per unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Thus, of the increase in rental revenue related to the Production Solutions segment, 14% is attributable to an increase in average active systems, and 86% is due to an increase in average monthly price.

Revenue—Sales. Sales revenue was $164.3 million for nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $120.3 million, or 274%, from $44.0 million for nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase in revenue was partially due to $72.6 million of revenue related to Flowco Productions within the Production Solutions segment and $20.5 million of revenue related to Flogistix within the Natural Gas Technologies segment as part of the 2024 Business Combination. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to an increase of $27.3 million of sales of natural gas systems to third parties. We sell our natural gas systems through intercompany transactions for further use in the Production Solutions segment as well as sales to our customers. During the first three quarters of 2023, intercompany sales comprised a significant portion of total natural gas system sales as we continued to increase the volume of active systems within Production Solutions segment. Due to the change in focus of sales to third parties rather than our Production Solutions segment, third party sales volume of natural gas systems increased 62% year-over-year while pricing remained flat.

Cost of Rentals. Rental cost was $49.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $17.6 million, or 56%, from $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was partially attributable to $14.7 million of costs related to Flogistix as part of the 2024 Business Combination within the Natural Gas Technologies segment. The remaining increase is due to an increase of $1.4 million in personnel expense and an increase of $1.5 million for equipment maintenance and repair expense due to the increased fleet count, as well as inflationary costs within the Production Solutions segment.

Cost of Sales. Sales cost was $124.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 , an increase of $87.7 million, or 241%, from $36.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is primarily attributable to increased sale volumes and mix of products sold within the Natural Gas Technologies segment. Additionally, the increase was partially attributable to $51.8 million of costs related to Flowco Productions within the Production Solutions segment and $15.6 million of costs related to Flogistix within the Natural Gas Technologies segment as part of the 2024 Business Combination.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $36.2 million, an increase of $24.5 million from $11.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to $11.5 million of costs related to Flowco Productions within the Production Solutions segment and $8.8 million of expenses related to Flogistix within the Natural Gas Technologies segment as part of the 2024 Business Combination. The remaining increase is due to increases in personnel expense and sales and marketing expense, of which $1.2 million has been included within corporate and other.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $56.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $24.4 million, from $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily due to $6.8 million related to Flowco Productions within the Production Solutions segment and $14.4 million related to Flogistix within the Natural Gas Technologies segment as part of the 2024 Business Combination. The remainder of the increase in depreciation

 

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expense was primarily due to purchases of machinery and equipment in the prior period, which primarily relates to the Production Solutions segment as depreciation and amortization within the Natural Gas Technologies remained consistent year-over-year.

Loss on sale of equipment. Loss on sale of equipment was $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.1 million, which is all related to the Production Solutions segment. The decrease is due to a fewer number of unit disposals in the first nine months of the current period compared to the prior period.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $22.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest expense of $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase in interest expense of $7.5 million is due to interest expense of $5.9 million related to Flowco Productions and Flogistix as part of the 2024 Business Combination, in addition to the associated on increased borrowings under the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).

Loss on debt extinguishment. Loss on debt extinguishment was $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.2 million, which is related to the Credit Agreement, entered into on August 20, 2024, as amended to date, which currently provides for a $725 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility.

Other expense. Other expense was $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.3 million. The increase is due to $0.3 million related to Flowco Productions and Flogistix as part of the 2024 Business Combination as well as $1.3 million of transaction costs incurred in connection with the 2024 Business Combination and $0.7 million of professional service fees not determined to be direct and incremental to the registration statement and not part of the core operating costs of the business. These costs were partially offset by $0.5 million of other expenses incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 that did not recur during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes was $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.3 million, which is due to Flowco Productions and Flogistix as part of the 2024 Business Combination.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following table presents summary consolidated operating results of our predecessor Estis for the periods indicated:

 

       
     Year Ended December 31,              
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)    2023     2022    

Change

($)

   

Change

(%)

 

Revenues

        

Rentals

   $ 168,801     $ 120,237     $ 48,564       40%  

Sales

     74,522       28,372       46,150       163%  
  

 

 

 

Total revenues

     243,323       148,609       94,714       64%  
  

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     42,179       33,214       8,965       27%  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     62,599       22,261       40,338       181%  

Depreciation and amortization

     43,822       36,206       7,616       21%  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,219       14,173       1,046       7%  

Loss on sale of equipment

     1,170       51       1,119       2194%  
  

 

 

 

Income from operations

     78,334       42,704       35,630       83%  
  

 

 

 

Other expense

        

Interest expense

     (18,956     (9,284     (9,672     104%  

Other expense

     (1,289     (691     (598     87%  
  

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (20,245     (9,975     (10,270     103%  
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 58,089     $ 32,729     $ 25,360       77%  

 

 

Revenue—Rentals. Rental revenue was $168.8 million for 2023, an increase of $48.6 million, or 40%, from $120.2 million for 2022. All rental revenue is included within the Production Solutions segment. This increase in rental revenue was driven by an increase of 191 average active systems from 1,210 for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 1,401 average active systems for the year ended December 31, 2023; and $2,117 increase in average monthly price from $9,934 per unit for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $12,051 per unit for the year ended December 31, 2023. Thus, of the increase in rental revenue, 43% is attributable to an increase in average active systems, and 57% is due to an increase in average monthly price.

Revenue—Sales. Sales revenue was $74.5 million for 2023, an increase of $46.1 million, or 163%, from $28.4 million for 2022. All sales revenue is included within the Natural Gas Technologies segment. This increase in revenue was primarily due to a $45.5 million increase in sales of natural gas systems to third parties. We sell our natural gas systems through intercompany transactions for further use in the Production Solutions segment as well as sales to our customers. During 2022, Natural Gas Technologies segment had $99.9 million intercompany natural gas system sales to the Production Solutions segment as we continued to increase the volume of active systems. Due to the change in focus of sales to third parties rather than our Production Solutions segment, third party sales volume of natural gas systems increased 111% year-over-year while pricing remained flat.

Cost of Rentals. Rental cost of $42.2 million in 2023 increased $9.0 million, or 27%, from $33.2 million in 2022. All rental costs are within the Production Solutions segment. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $3.8 million for equipment maintenance and repair expense, $2.5 million of additional personnel expense, and $1.2 million of shop repair and maintenance expense due to the increased fleet count, as well as inflationary costs.

 

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Cost of Sales. Sales cost of $62.6 million in 2023 increased $40.3 million, or 181%, from $22.3 million in 2022. All sales costs are within the Natural Gas Technologies segment. This increase was primarily attributable to increased sale volumes and mix of products sold.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization was $43.8 million for 2023 an increase of $7.6 million, from $36.2 million in 2022. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily due to depreciation on purchases of machinery and equipment of $43.3 million during 2023, as well as a full year of depreciation on $107.0 million of purchases of property, plant and equipment in 2022. The entirety of the change relates to the Production Solutions segment as depreciation and amortization within the Natural Gas Technologies remained consistent year-over-year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2023 were $15.2 million, an increase of $1.0 million from $14.2 million for 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in personnel expense and sales and marketing expense. The entirety of the change relates to the Production Solutions segment as the selling, general and administrative expenses within the Natural Gas Technologies remained consistent year-over-year.

Loss on sale of equipment. Loss on sale of equipment, net was $1.2 million in 2023 compared to $0.1 million in 2022, an increase of $1.1 million, due to a higher number of unit disposals in the Production Solutions segment in the first and fourth quarters of 2023 compared to 2022, which had minimal disposals during the year.

Income from operations. Income from operations was $78.3 million for 2023 compared to $42.7 million for 2022, an increase of $35.6 million.

Within the Production Solutions segment, rental revenue increased $48.6 million and cost of rentals increased $9.0 million. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million and depreciation and amortization expense increased $7.5 million, and loss on sales of equipment increased $1.1 million. Overall, income from operations within the Production Solutions segment increased $30.0 million. Refer above for additional details of the change in the period.

Within the Natural Gas Technologies segment, sales revenue increased $46.2 million and cost of sales increased $40.3 million. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.03 million and depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.1 million. Overall, income from operations within the Natural Gas Technologies segment increased $5.6 million. Refer above for additional details of the change in the period.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $19.0 million in 2023 compared to interest expense of $9.3 million in 2022. This increase in interest expense of $9.7 million was related to the timing of additional borrowings of $188.4 million, partially offset by the timing of payments of $173.5 million on the revolving credit facility of Estis and its subsidiaries (the “Prior Estis Credit Facility”), as well as increased borrowing costs.

Other expense. Other expense was $1.3 million in 2023 compared to $0.7 million in 2022, an increase of $0.6 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in Texas margin taxes and bank fee expenses for appraisals and audits.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use non-GAAP financial information and believe it is useful to investors as it provides additional information to facilitate comparisons of historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and provides additional insight and transparency into how we evaluate the business. We use non-GAAP financial measures to budget, make operating and strategic decisions and evaluate our performance. We have detailed the non-GAAP adjustments that we make in our non-GAAP definitions below. We believe the non-GAAP

 

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measures should always be considered along with, and not as substitutes for, the related GAAP financial measures. We have provided the reconciliations between the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures below, and we also discuss our underlying GAAP results throughout this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section.

Our primary non-GAAP financial measures are listed below and reflect how we evaluate our current and prior- year operating results. As new events or circumstances arise, these definitions could change. When the definitions change, we will provide the updated definitions and present the related non-GAAP historical results on a comparable basis.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We report our financial results in accordance with GAAP; however, management believes evaluation of operating results may be enhanced by a presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted to exclude interest expense, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude share- based compensation expense, business combination related expenses and other non-cash and non-recurring expenses. The Company is not a tax paying entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus no provision for income taxes has been recognized in the historical period.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are key performance indicators we use in evaluating our operating performance and in making financial, operating and planning decisions. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides additional visibility on operating performance across reporting periods by removing the effect of non-cash and/or non-recurring expenses. Accordingly, we believe that this measure provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

We believe it is useful to exclude non-cash charges, such as depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation because the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations. We believe it is useful to exclude tax expense and net interest expense as these items are not components of our core business operations. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as a financial measure and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

 

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future and these non-GAAP measures do not reflect capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditures;

 

 

these measures do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital;

 

 

we may incur non-recurring items from time to time; and

 

 

other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures.

 

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A reconciliation from net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is set forth as follows:

 

   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)    2024      2023  

Net income

   $ 57,913      $ 40,028  

Interest expense

     22,174        14,671  

Provision for income taxes

     702        379  

Depreciation and amortization

     56,502        32,078  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

     137,291        87,156  

Transaction related expenses(1)

     3,083        —   

Share-based compensation expense(2)

     509        68  

Loss on sale of equipment

     727        764  

Loss on debt extinguishment

     221        —   

Inventory valuation adjustments(4)

     8,052        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 149,883      $ 87,988  

 

 

 

   
     Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)    2023      2022  

Net income

   $ 58,089      $ 32,729  

Interest expense

     18,956        9,284  

Provision for income taxes

     —         —   

Depreciation and amortization

     43,822        36,206  
  

 

 

 

EBITDA

     120,867        78,219  

Share-based compensation expense(3)

     85        493  

Loss on sale of equipment

     1,170        51  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 122,122      $ 78,763  

 

 

 

(1)   Represents the transaction-related expenses as part of the 2024 Business Combination, and non-capitalizable IPO related costs, which were expensed as incurred and included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

(2)   Reflects compensation expense for profit units held by our employees under plans provided by the Members.

 

(3)   Reflects compensation expense for profit units held by our employees under a plan provided by the Estis Member.

 

(4)   Reflects non-cash adjustment related to inventory fair value step-up from 2024 Business Combination which has been included in cost of sales.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we changed the measure used by our CODM to evaluate segment profitability from income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA, which is consistent with how our CODM evaluates the results of operations and makes strategic decisions about the business.

The effect of the change was an additional $50.0 million and $15.9 million in the measurement of segment profitability for Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively; and $31.7 million and $0.8 million in the measurement of segment profitability for Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The primary driver of the change in these two measures of profitability is depreciation and amortization, as well as other non-cash and non-recurring adjustments being included in segment Adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, there are $1.2 million of expenses within corporate and other in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 related to salaries, professional services and facilities expenses that did not exist in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $149.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $88.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $61.9 million.

 

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Within the Production Solutions segment, net income increased $6.5 million. Included within the increase in net income, interest expense increased $1.8 million, depreciation and amortization increased $10.0 million, and the provision for income taxes increased $0.3 million. Additionally, transaction-related expenses increased $2.8 million, share based compensation expense increased $0.3 million, and loss on debt extinguishments increased $0.2 million and inventory valuation adjustment increased $7.2 million. Overall, Adjusted EBITDA within the Production Solutions segment increased $29.1 million. Refer above for additional details of the change in the period.

Within the Natural Gas Technologies segment, net income increased $10.9 million. Included within the increase in net income, interest expense increased $5.0 million and depreciation and amortization increased $14.4 million. Additionally, transaction-related expenses increased $0.3 million, the provision for income taxes increased $0.1 million, share based compensation increased $0.1 million, and inventory valuation adjustment increased $0.8 million. Overall, Adjusted EBITDA within the Natural Gas Technologies segment increased $31.6 million. Refer above for additional details of the change in the period.

Additionally, Corporate and other net income decreased by $1.2 million resulting from salaries, professional services and facilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which did not exist in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2024, we had $23.1 million of cash and cash equivalents. Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows generated by operating activities and continued borrowings under the Credit Agreement, which was effective August 20, 2024 and has a maturity date of August 20, 2029 that is payable upon maturity. Our interest rate is Term SOFR for one month plus 0.1% (“Adjusted REVSOFR30”) plus a contractual applicable margin based on the Company’s calculated leverage ratio that approximates 7.4% per annum at the effective date with interest due monthly. If such rate is below contractual minimums, the interest rate will be calculated based on Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR Rate. Depending upon market conditions and other factors, we may also have the ability to issue additional equity and debt if needed. As of September 30, 2024, we had $575.5 million of borrowings outstanding with $121.9 million of available borrowing capacity. We were in compliance with the covenants as of and for the period ended September 30, 2024. On November 27, 2024, the Company amended its Credit Agreement for an additional revolving commitment of $25 million.

We expect that our cash generated from operations and available capacity under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient for the next 12 months to meet our material cash requirements, including working capital requirements, debt service obligations, anticipated capital expenditures, and lease obligations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, capital expenditures were approximately $61.6 million, mostly related to growing our fleet of service equipment. We expect to continue to invest in our fleet of service equipment; however, we continuously evaluate our capital expenditures, and the amount we ultimately spend will depend on a number of key factors affecting our performance, as described above, including, among other things, demand for service equipment, prevailing economic conditions, market conditions in the E&P industry, customers’ forecasts and company initiatives.

Flowco Holdings Inc. is a holding company with no material assets other than its ownership of the LLC Interests. As a consequence, our ability to declare and pay dividends to the holders of our Class A common stock, pay taxes and make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement is subject to the ability of Flowco LLC to provide distributions to us. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of Flowco LLC for any reason could limit or impair Flowco LLC’s ability to pay such distributions. Additionally, to the extent that we need

 

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funds and Flowco LLC is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of any financing arrangements, or Flowco LLC is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition. We anticipate that the distributions we will receive from Flowco LLC may, in certain periods, exceed our actual tax liabilities and obligations to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may make any determination from time to time with respect to the use of any such excess cash so accumulated, which may include, among other uses, to pay dividends on our Class A common stock. We have no obligation to distribute such cash (or other available cash other than any declared dividend) to our stockholders.

The Tax Receivable Agreement will provide for payment to the TRA Participants of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that we actually realize or are deemed to realize in certain circumstances (calculated using certain assumptions), pursuant to U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws, as a result of (1) our allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transaction and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (2) our utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (3) increases in tax basis resulting from (a) our purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) future redemptions or exchanges (or deemed exchanges in certain circumstances) of LLC Interests for Class A common stock or cash as described above under “—Redemption rights of holders of LLC Interests” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC; and (4) certain tax benefits (such as interest deductions) arising from payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless we exercise our right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an amount representing the present value of anticipated future tax benefits under the Tax Receivable Agreement or certain other acceleration events occur. These payments will be our obligations and not obligations of Flowco LLC. Any payments made by us under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been available to us or Flowco LLC and, to the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, the unpaid amounts generally will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid by us; provided, however that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a breach of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement and, therefore, may accelerate payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement, as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

Assuming there are no material changes in the relevant tax laws and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and assuming all exchanges or redemptions would occur immediately after the initial public offering, based on the assumed initial public offering price of $   per share of our Class A common stock, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we would be required to pay approximately $   million over the fifteen year period from the date of this offering. The actual amounts we will be required to pay under the Tax Receivable Agreement and the actual amount of deferred tax assets and related liabilities that we will recognize as a result of any such future exchanges or redemptions will differ based on, among other things: (i) the amount and timing of future exchanges or redemptions of the LLC Interests, as applicable, and the extent to which such exchanges or redemptions are taxable; (ii) the price per share of our Class A common stock at the time of the exchanges or redemptions; (iii) the amount and timing of future income against which to offset the tax benefits; and (iv) the tax rates then in effect.

Our ability to satisfy our long-term liquidity requirements depends on our future operating performance, which is affected by, and subject to, prevailing economic conditions, market conditions in the E&P industry, availability and cost of raw materials, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We will not be able to predict or control many of these factors, such as economic conditions in the markets where we operate and competitive pressures. If necessary, we could choose to further reduce our

 

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spending on capital projects and operating expenses to ensure we operate within the cash flow generated from our operations.

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Regulation S-K.

Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table presents our summary cash flows for the periods presented. Prior to June 20, 2024, all cash flow activity reflect our predecessor Estis.

 

   
    

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)        2024         2023  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 117,208     $ 61,360  

Net cash (used in) investing activities

   $ (58,903   $ (37,414

Net cash (used in) financing activities

   $ (35,181   $ (20,353

 

 

Operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $117.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $61.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Operating cash flows increased primarily due to higher net income of $17.9 million and depreciation and amortization of $24.4 million. In addition, cash outflows associated with working capital increased $11.0 million, largely due to a decrease in inventory of $17.1 million.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $58.9 million and $37.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change was primarily due to net cash acquired in the 2024 Business Combination of $3.1 million offset by an increase of $23.8 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment and decrease of $0.7 million in proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $35.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $20.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily related to $141.4 million of payments on long-term debt and $5.4 million of debt issuance costs, increased distributions to Members by $92.5 million, change in payments on finance lease obligations of $2.3 million, and proceeds from finance lease terminations of $0.2 million. The increase in cash flows from financing activities were slightly offset by the proceeds of debt of $226.6 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following table summarizes our cash flows of our predecessor Estis for the periods indicated.

 

   
     Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)    2023     2022  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 81,862     $ 66,564  

Net cash (used in) investing activities

   $ (42,673   $ (106,930

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   $ (39,189   $ 40,366  

 

 

 

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Operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $81.9 million in 2023 compared to $66.6 million in 2022. Operating cash flows increased primarily due to higher net income of $25.4 million and depreciation and amortization of $7.6 million. This increase was partially offset by an increase in cash outflows associated with working capital of $20.7 million, largely due to increases in inventory of $15.9 million and accounts receivable of $3.1 million.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $42.7 million and $106.9 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change was primarily due to a decrease of $63.4 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment from 2022 when the Company implemented a strategic investment into the rental fleet.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $39.2 million for 2023 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $40.4 million for 2022. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily related to $65.7 million of payments on our Prior Estis Credit Facility and increased distributions to its sole member by $15.5 million. The decrease in cash flows from financing activities were slightly offset by the decrease in debt issuance costs of $1.2 million.

Critical Accounting Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements include but are not limited to the following: inventory valuation, impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-life assets, share-based compensation, and useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Management believes these estimates and assumptions provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory is composed of components, parts and materials used in the fabrication, repair and maintenance of natural gas systems. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We evaluate the components of inventory on a regular basis for excess and obsolescence. We record the decline in the carrying value of estimated excess or obsolete inventory as a reduction of inventory and as an expense included in cost of goods and services in the period in which it is identified. Our estimate of excess and obsolete inventory is susceptible to change from period to period and requires management to make judgments about the future demand of inventory. There were no changes in this estimate year-over-year and the estimate has a low degree of estimation uncertainty as the historical write-offs are generally consistent without material fluctuations. Typically, our write-offs approximate $1 million each year due to factors that include historical usage, estimated product demand, technological developments and current market conditions. We believe our inventory valuation reserve is adequate to properly value excess and obsolete inventory as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. However, any significant changes to the factors mentioned above could lead our estimate to change.

 

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Goodwill and long-lived assets

We test goodwill for impairment for each of our reporting units on an annual basis on December 31 or when events occur, or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. We perform the annual assessment using the qualitative method. Where deemed appropriate, we may perform a quantitative assessment that uses market data and discounted cash flow analysis, which involve estimates of future revenues, operating cash flows, terminal value growth rates, capital expenditures projections, assumed tax rates, discount rates and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. Changes in these estimates and assumptions or a significant decrease in earnings could materially affect the fair value of goodwill and could result in a goodwill impairment charge.

The annual impairment assessment for goodwill does not change our requirements to assess goodwill on an interim date between scheduled annual testing dates if triggering events are present.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, except goodwill, an impairment loss is indicated when the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the asset group are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance of the asset group.

When performing the annual impairment test, we used a qualitative assessment to determine if any facts or circumstances during the period could require a quantitative analysis. When performing a qualitative assessment, we consider factors including, but not limited to, current macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, financial performance, and other events relevant to the entity or reporting unit under evaluation to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.

As part of the qualitative assessment performed, management leveraged guideline peer company revenue and EBITDA multiples to assess industry conditions and performance. Based on the analysis performed, the guideline peer company median revenue multiple was 1.6x and the median EBITDA multiple was 8.3x. There was no change in the risk-free weighted average cost of capital. As management prepared the qualitative assessment, there was no indication that the fair value of the reporting units were below their carrying values. Therefore, a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was not required and no impairment was recorded.

In the current year, there have been no changes to the methodology applied or significant assumptions used. To the extent a quantitative assessment is required, we will provide qualitative and quantitative information necessary to understand the estimation uncertainty surrounding the significant assumptions.

Share based compensation

The Estis Member, as the parent member of Estis prior to the 2024 Business Combination, issued profits interests to certain employees of Estis. FPS Member and Flogistix Member also issued profits interest to certain employees of Flowco Productions and Flogistix. All of the entities account for these awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. While the awards are issued by the Estis Member, FPS Member, and Flogistix Member, the costs have been recognized by Estis, Flowco Productions, and Flogistix, respectively.

We estimate grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs, such as enterprise value, volatility, risk-free rate, and term. Estis last issued profit interest awards in 2021 which had a grant date fair value of $11.71 per unit. In comparison, the Company first issued profit interest awards in 2019, which had a grant date fair value of $2.00 per unit, or a $9.71 increase in the value per unit. The enterprise value increased by $237 million and the volatility increased by 7.19% between the first and last issuances, which were the

 

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primary drivers in the change in value. Flogistix last issued profit interest awards in 2022 and Flowco Productions last issued profit interest awards in 2023. There were no other issuances during the historical financial statement periods presented.

The risk-free rate and term are key inputs with a low degree of estimation uncertainty. The key estimates that have a higher degree of estimation uncertainty were the enterprise value and volatility. Enterprise value and volatility are subject to uncertainty given the forward-looking inputs such as future cash flows and expected volatility based on public company peers. The estimate and key assumptions have not changed during the current year as no new units were issued. The volatility in particular is highly sensitive due to the Company’s current stage in its life cycle relative to its public company peers.

Total share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $509. Total share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $85 and $493, respectively. Because the Company has not issued new material units during these years, we do not expect material changes to this estimate.

The expected term represents the period that the share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. We determine the expected term using the simplified method as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method deems the term to be the average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the profit units. Since the Members’ Equity is not publicly or privately traded, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the date of the grant. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Our industry is capital intensive, as property and equipment represented 43% of our total assets as of September 30, 2024 and depreciation and amortization represented 21% of our total operating costs and expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, property and equipment represented 75% of our total assets and depreciation and amortization represented 56% of our total operating costs and expenses prior to the 2024 Business Combination. Our property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite useful lives are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. For acquired intangible assets, we amortize the cost over their estimated useful lives using either a straight- line or an accelerated method that most accurately reflects the estimated pattern in which the economic benefit of the respective asset is consumed. No provision for salvage value is considered in determining depreciation of our property, plant and equipment. We calculate depreciation and amortization on our assets based on the estimated useful lives that we believe are reasonable. The estimated useful lives are subject to key assumptions such as maintenance and utilization. These estimates may change due to a number of factors such as changes in operating conditions or advances in technology. The estimate has a low degree of estimation uncertainty as there were no changes in the useful lives utilized by management in the periods presented. To illustrate the impact and sensitivity of the estimate, a 5 year increase in the useful life of buildings, furniture and fixtures, machinery and equipment, software and vehicles would result in a decrease in depreciation of 11%, 42%, 25%, 50%, and 50%, respectively, assuming all assets incur a full year of depreciation. Similarly, a 5 year increase in the useful life of trade name, customer relationships and developed technology intangible assets would result in a decrease in amortization of 33%, 27%, and 20%, respectively, assuming all assets incur a full year of amortization. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Improvements which extend the life or improve the existing asset are capitalized.

 

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Emerging Growth Company Status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, permits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to other public companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. We may choose to early adopt any new or revised accounting standards whenever such early adoption is permitted for private companies.

We will cease to be an emerging growth company until the earlier of (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our prior second fiscal quarter, and (ii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the previous three years.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements recently adopted and not yet adopted, see the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Prior to this offering, we were a private company with limited accounting and financial reporting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financing reporting:

 

 

We did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, we lacked a sufficient complement of resources with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience to establish effective processes and controls. Additionally, the lack of a sufficient number of professionals resulted in an inability to consistently establish appropriate authorities and responsibilities in pursuit of our financial reporting objectives, as demonstrated by, among other things, insufficient segregation of duties in the finance and accounting functions.

This material weakness contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:

 

 

We did not design and maintain effective controls related to the period-end financial reporting process, including designing and maintaining formal accounting policies, procedures and controls to achieve complete, accurate and timely financial accounting, reporting and disclosures. Additionally, we did not design and maintain controls over the preparation and review of account reconciliations and journal entries, including maintaining appropriate segregation of duties for all significant accounts.

 

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We did not design and maintain effective information technology (“IT”) general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of our financial statements. Specifically, we did not design and maintain:

 

  (i)   program change management controls to ensure that program and data changes are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately;

 

  (ii)   user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and to adequately restrict user and privileged access to appropriate personnel;

 

  (iii)   computer operations controls to ensure that processing and transfer of data, and data backups and recovery are monitored; and

 

  (iv)   program development controls to ensure that new software development is tested, authorized and implemented appropriately.

These material weaknesses resulted in a revision to a disclosure in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ending December 31, 2023 and immaterial adjustments to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2022. Additionally, these material weaknesses could result in misstatements of substantially all of our accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

We plan on taking steps to address the internal control deficiencies that contributed to the material weaknesses, including the following:

 

 

hiring, and continuing to hire, additional accounting, internal audit, and information technology personnel to establish effective processes and controls, including establishing appropriate segregation of duties;

 

 

developing formal accounting policies, procedures and controls related to the period-end financial reporting process including designing and maintaining controls over account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting and disclosures; and

 

 

enhancing information technology governance processes, including our program change management, computer operations, program development, and user access controls, enhancing role-based access, and implementing more robust information technology policies and procedures.

While we believe that these efforts will improve our internal control over financial reporting once implemented, these measures will require validation and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over a sustained period of financial reporting cycles.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates.

The Company is subject to interest rate volatility with regard to existing and future issuances of debt. At September 30, 2024, there was $575.5 million borrowings outstanding.

On August 20, 2024, we entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Flowco MasterCo LLC (“Parent Borrower”), Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and, Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, certain other direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower party thereto as guarantors, the lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). The

 

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Credit Agreement, as amended to date, currently provides for an aggregate revolving commitment of $725 million (the “Aggregate Revolving Commitment”).

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, at the option of the Borrowers, either based on an alternate base rate (“ABR”) or a term SOFR rate. Loans comprising each ABR borrowing under the Credit Agreement accrue interest at the ABR plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Loans comprising each SOFR rate borrowing accrue interest at a Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, depending on the Total Leverage Ratio.

Inflation

While inflationary cost increases can affect our income from operations’ margin, we believe that inflation generally has not had, and is not expected to have, a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In 2022, the United States experienced the highest inflation in decades primarily due to supply-chain issues, a shortage of labor and a higher demand for goods and services. The most noticeable adverse impact to our business was increased costs associated with materials, personnel expenses, consumables and vehicle-related costs. Most of our costs moderated in 2023 except for wages. We believe it is highly unlikely that salaries and wages will decrease to the levels experienced in prior years.

 

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Rystad Energy has provided us certain statistical and graphical information contained in this prospectus, including the industry information and data presented in this section. Rystad Energy has advised us that the statistical and graphical information presented in this prospectus is drawn from its database and other sources. We do not have any knowledge that the information provided by Rystad Energy is inaccurate in any material respect. Rystad Energy has advised that: (i) certain of the information provided is based on estimates or subjective judgments, (ii) the information in the databases of other data collection agencies may differ from the information in its database and (iii) while it has taken reasonable care in the compilation of the statistical and graphical information and believes it to be accurate and correct, data collection is subject to limited audit and validation procedures.

Drivers of Energy Consumption and Oil & Natural Gas Demand

Population growth, increased per capita energy consumption and the modernization of the developing world will continue to drive higher demand for oil and natural gas. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) member countries, with a combined population of nearly 1.4 billion people, consume, on average, 10.5 barrels of oil per person per year. Meanwhile, non-OECD countries, with a combined population of more than 6.6 billion people, consume, on average, just 2.7 barrels of oil per person per year. While energy efficiency gains are expected to reduce the developed world’s per capita oil consumption, these declines are anticipated to be more than offset by demand growth from developing nations as their economies modernize and increase their citizens’ standard of living. Since 2014, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), non-OECD oil and NGL consumption has grown, on average, at 2.6% per year as compared to consumption within OECD countries, which has grown at 0.8% per year during the same time period (excluding 2020 and 2021, which were impacted by COVD-19 related disruptions).

 

2023 World Population

(Billions)

   

2023 Global Oil Consumption

(Billion Barrels)

   

2023 Global Per Capita Oil

Consumption (Barrels / Year)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

Rystad Energy estimates that approximately 48 million incremental barrels of oil production per day will be needed to offset natural production declines and meet 2030 demand, with approximately 19% of incremental production coming from onshore unconventional shale reservoirs, 34% from offshore reservoirs and 47% from all other sources.

 

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Global Oil Production from Currently Producing Wells vs. Demand (MMBbl/d)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

Similarly, Rystad Energy estimates that approximately 230 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas will be required to meet 2030 demand, with approximately 39% coming from unconventional shale reservoirs, 24% from offshore reservoirs and 37% from all other sources.

 

Global Natural Gas Production from Currently Producing Wells vs. Demand (Bcf/d)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

With the current degree of geopolitical conflict, and in view of recent demand patterns, the importance of U.S. oil and natural gas production has never been more pronounced in meeting the world’s energy requirements. U.S. producers benefit from comparatively stable U.S. political and regulatory regimes as well as established legal venues that govern contracts, commercial agreements and mineral ownership rights. As a result, the U.S. has been a meaningful producer of oil and natural gas for decades.

In 1970, domestic oil production reached a peak of nearly ten million barrels per day, then stabilized and subsequently declined for multiple decades to a low of five million barrels per day in 2008. However, following numerous technological advancements including production optimization, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, U.S. producers began to successfully exploit unconventional reservoirs, leading to a resurgence in U.S. oil and natural gas production. Presently, the U.S. is the largest global producer of oil with almost 13 million barrels per day of average oil production in 2023. Rystad Energy estimates that U.S. oil production will undergo steady and significant growth, increasing more than 400 thousand barrels per day in 2024 and nearly 1.4 million barrels per day by 2030, while offsetting 9.6 million barrels per day of natural declines from currently producing wells. In addition, U.S. natural gas production is expected to grow from nearly 103 billion

 

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cubic feet per day in 2023 to more than 120 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while offsetting more than 69 billion cubic feet per day of natural decline.

Given underlying production decline rates, producers are increasingly focused on optimizing production to better manage decline rates and maximize production in the most capital efficient manner. As the world’s largest producer of oil and the world’s largest producer of natural gas, accounting for approximately a quarter of global natural gas production, the U.S. plays a vital role in meeting the world’s energy demand. The importance of U.S. oil and natural gas production has increased due to numerous geopolitical instabilities, underscoring the global emphasis on energy security and independence. Moreover, U.S. oil and natural gas production has demonstrated its reliability by maintaining consistent production levels through economic downturns, fluctuating commodity prices and during the Covid-19 pandemic, with legacy production declines more than offset by shale production growth. Production from unconventional shale reservoirs is critical to U.S. oil and natural gas supply, contributing 77% and 91% of incremental oil and natural gas production in 2030, respectively.

 

2010 — 2030 U.S. Average Annual Oil Production (MMBbl/d)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

 

Evolution of U.S. and Global Oil Production (MMBbl/d) — 2010 versus 2023

 

 

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Evolution of U.S. and Global Natural Gas Production (Bcf/d) — 2010 versus 2023

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

Growing Importance of U.S. and Permian Basin Oil and Natural Gas Production

The Permian Basin is one of the oldest oil and natural gas producing regions in the U.S. and, moving forward, the region is expected to remain highly active and drive U.S. oil production growth. After experiencing decades of declining production, Permian Basin oil and natural gas production saw a significant resurgence due to the adoption of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies and advancements in production optimization. With its multiple stacked pay zones, the Permian Basin continues to offer the most prolific inventory of drilling opportunities with attractive extraction economics.

 

Comparison of Key U.S. Producing Regions: Oil Breakeven Price ($/Bbl) vs. 2023 Production (MMBbl/d)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy.

Over the last decade, the Permian Basin has consistently held the largest share of U.S. drilling activity, regardless of oil and natural gas prices. Consequently, today the Permian Basin produces approximately six million barrels of oil per day, accounting for approximately 46% of total U.S. oil production. Additionally, the region produces about 18% of U.S. natural gas and a meaningful portion of U.S. NGL production. To illustrate the Permian Basin’s global significance, the region alone would rank as the world’s fourth largest oil producing country.

 

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Top Oil Producing Countries vs. the Permian Basin in 2023 (MMBbl/d)

 

 

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Permian Basin vs. All Other U.S. Regions Oil Production (MMBbl/d), 2010 — 2023

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy and EIA. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

Increasing Importance of Production Optimization Against a Backdrop of Industry Consolidation

The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is undergoing a period of significant consolidation, and both companies and energy investors are increasingly focused on cash flow generation, returns on capital employed and returning capital to shareholders. Consolidation of production companies has resulted in net reductions to the number of active drilling rigs and hydraulic fracturing crews. However, the outlook for U.S. oil production remains positive, as producers are expected to realize operational efficiencies to overcome decreased drilling and completion activity. For example, the U.S. produces more oil and natural gas today than ever before, despite the onshore rig count remaining well below previous peak levels. In 2014, the U.S. onshore rig count averaged 1,861 and the U.S. recorded average annual oil production of nearly nine million barrels per day. In 2023, the U.S. onshore rig count averaged approximately 687 rigs while the U.S. produced nearly 13 million barrels per day, a level enabled by technological advancements such as production optimization, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

 

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U.S. Rig Count vs. U.S. Oil Production (MMBbl/d), 2013 — 2023

 

 

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Source: Baker Hughes and EIA. Includes condensate and excludes NGLs.

As industry focus shifts to the new paradigm, producers are prioritizing solutions that optimize well productivity. Artificial lift solutions maximize production, minimize downtime, and limit decline rates from producing wells at all stages of a well’s lifecycle, and their costs are materially lower than those required to drill and complete new wells. As such, demand for artificial lift technologies is linked to the number of producing wells and oil and natural gas production levels rather than drilling and completion activity, making artificial lift one of the most stable sub-segments within oilfield products and services. Historically, in response to significant oil and natural gas prices declines, producers reduce drilling and completion-related capital expenditures, but production-related spending or operating expenses decline less than capital expenditures given the importance of maintaining legacy production. Going forward, Rystad Energy estimates that producers will increase spending on operating expenses by more than 4% per year through 2030 as compared to capital expenditures, which are expected to grow at less than 1% per year during the same time period.

 

Producer Operating Expenses — 2023 vs. 2030 ($Bn)     Producer Capital Expenditures — 2023 vs. 2030 ($Bn)

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy.

 

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Artificial Lift Required Across All Stages of a Well’s Lifecycle

Artificial lift is required throughout a well’s lifecycle beginning shortly after a well is put on production. The form of lift changes over a well’s lifecycle driven by various factors including, but not limited to, production rate, gas-to-liquid ratio, well depth, fluid properties and reservoir pressure. The primary types of artificial lift solutions include rod lift systems, conventional gas lift (“CGL”) systems, electric submersible pumps (“ESPs”), plunger lift systems and new forms of lift including high pressure gas lift (“HPGL”).

 

 

HPGL—HPGL systems are placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore and are typically installed when a well is initially brought online and utilized for the first one to two years of the well’s life. To enhance production, high pressure gas is injected deep into the well to lighten the liquid column, enabling the flow of oil from the formation into the well at flow rates significantly higher than what would be otherwise possible. Unlike ESPs, HPGL requires no downhole components beyond the tubing string that is installed on all unconventional wells. The system is entirely controlled and accessible from the surface, leading to improved uptime and return on investment for the producer. With estimated operational uptime exceeding 99%, we estimate that annualized cost savings of utilizing HPGL rather than ESPs can exceed 30%, yielding benefits of up to $1.0 million per well.

 

 

ESPs—ESPs consist of a multi-stage centrifugal pump and sealed electric motor placed at the bottom of a wellbore and powered via an electrical cable extended from the surface to the motor. These systems are used to lift fluids to the surface via the production tubing. Historically, ESPs have been used on wells shortly after they are put on to production. However, ESPs are prone to fail when production levels decline below their designated operating envelopes or as downhole components are damaged from high volumes of produced sand and highly variable downhole conditions found in early-stage producing shale wells.

 

 

Conventional Gas Lift—CGL systems utilize surface systems placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore via a series of specifically tuned downhole valves. Conventional gas lift is typically installed after HPGL or ESPs and utilized in the mid- to late-stage of a well’s producing life. When a well’s gas-to-oil ratio (“GOR”) exceeds operational limits for early-stage artificial lift systems (e.g., HPGL or ESPs), producers typically switch to conventional gas lift solutions.

 

 

Plunger Lift—Plunger lift systems use a well’s natural energy to lift produced liquids to surface. These systems follow a cyclical process where pressure initially builds up below the plunger at the bottom of the well due to natural gas from the formation. Once sufficient pressure builds up, a valve at the surface is automatically opened and the plunger is able to push the fluid above the plunger to the surface. When the plunger reaches the surface, it falls back to the bottom of the well and the process is repeated. Plunger lift systems are typically installed on wells that have already been producing for multiple years. In many instances, customers transition from conventional gas lift systems to a plunger lift system. Plunger lift systems can be combined with gas lift solutions to further optimize production depending on well characteristics (e.g., gas-assisted plunger lift (“GAPL”) and plunger-assisted gas lift (“PAGL”)) and can stay on the well until it is plugged and abandoned, or until producers choose to employ other low-cost artificial lift solutions, including rod lift.

 

 

Rod Lift—When production rates decline, and HPGL, ESPs and conventional gas lift solutions are no longer economic, producers can switch to rod lift systems. Rod lift systems consist of a surface pumpjack, a downhole pump and a series of rods (i.e., sucker rods) that connect the surface equipment to the downhole pump. The pumpjack converts a motor’s rotational energy into a vertical reciprocation motion, which activates the downhole pump to help lift fluids to the surface. Producers may utilize rod lift systems until the well is plugged and abandoned, or the producer chooses to employ a different low-cost artificial lift solution.

 

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Typical Artificial Lift Solutions Utilized Over the Life of a Well

 

 

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Artificial lift solutions in the U.S. have evolved significantly, driven by technological advancements, changing industry conditions and unique challenges of extracting oil and natural gas from shale formations. Shale wells necessitate artificial lift to counter rapid production declines when natural reservoir pressure becomes insufficient to lift oil to the surface. Without artificial lift, producers could not sustain profitable operations in unconventional shale formations. To address these challenges, service providers applied new technologies to design more sophisticated artificial lift solutions tailored for downhole environments typical of unconventional shale wells. In particular, artificial lift solution providers have integrated programable logic controllers (“PLCs”) with advanced software and modernized equipment, enhancing performance, reliability and safety while also reducing costs. These integrated systems enable autonomous operations that optimize performance through continuous analysis of real-time data, allowing for rapid and precise adjustments to operational parameters.

 

These innovations have not only improved the profitability of developing unconventional shale wells, but have also expanded applications of certain artificial lift solutions to broader portions of a shale well’s productive life. For instance, HPGL and conventional gas lift systems can be utilized for up to five years following initial production and hybrid solutions, such as PAGL and GAPL, have expanded the use of plunger lift systems to both earlier and later in a well’s productive life as well as for mature oil wells that traditionally employed rod lift. While artificial lift solutions have been utilized for decades, their applications on unconventional shale wells are relatively nascent. In fact, the first conventional gas lift system deployed in the Permian Basin occurred in 2015 and the first HPGL system was deployed in 2017. Today, HPGL and conventional gas lift solutions are increasingly employed, as producers leverage prior investments in infrastructure to source, process, compress and deliver gas that will eventually be injected downhole to enhance production. Rystad Energy estimates that as of December 31, 2023, the penetration of the total U.S. addressable market for HPGL systems was approximately 14%.

Across all artificial lift offerings, the total addressable market in the U.S. is expected to grow by more than $3.5 billion from 2023 to 2030 to more than $10 billion, representing greater than 6% compounded annual growth. However, the fastest growing artificial lift segments, namely HPGL, conventional gas lift and plunger lift offerings are anticipated to expand their market share, outpacing other forms of artificial lift and growing their addressable market by nearly 10% per year. Rystad Energy estimates that as of 2023 approximately 600,000 producing wells likely require an artificial lift solution. The industry expects the number of U.S. onshore producing wells to continue to steadily increase as producers bring online approximately 14,000 new wells each year through 2030.

 

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U.S. Artificial Lift Total Addressable Market ($Billions), 2021 — 2030

 

 

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Source: Rystad Energy.

Increased Focus on Reducing Emissions Intensity of Oil and Natural Gas Production and Maximizing Sales Volumes

Producers face mounting pressure to minimize emissions and extract oil and natural gas in a more environmentally responsible manner. An increasing number of countries and energy companies are directing their focus towards reducing the emissions intensity of oil and natural gas production while still satisfying global energy demand. In pursuit of these objectives, countries and companies are adopting emissions detection, emissions capture, carbon capture and sequestration and other technologies aimed at limiting emissions. U.S. companies, in particular, are especially focused on methane capture, abatement and monetization strategies.

Since 2005, methane emissions reduction rules and regulations have become increasingly stringent in the U.S., as oil and natural gas production from unconventional reservoirs has grown rapidly. Initially, producers developing unconventional reservoirs flared and vented co-produced methane and other natural gases, which substantially increased carbon emissions. In response, federal, state, and local agencies along with private sector participants have progressively called for reducing carbon emissions, with catalysts including penalties, taxes and incentives. For instance, the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan aims to cut pollution from the largest methane emitters through increased regulations, financial incentives, data transparency, disclosure, and public and private partnerships. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) established a Waste Emissions Charge (“WEC”) for excess methane emissions. The WEC was established at $900 per metric ton of excess emissions for 2024, and it is set to increase to $1,500 per metric ton by 2026. In addition, multiple governmental agencies have proposed rules and roadmaps to reduce methane and other greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is proposing updated regulations for methane emissions from new oil and natural gas production and the first set of limits on legacy oil and natural gas production, aiming to reduce emissions from covered sources, equipment, and operations by approximately 80% by 2038. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior is focusing on methane venting and flaring within oil and gas operations. In addition, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) is implementing the PIPES Act that will expand pipeline rules to require operators to curtail methane leaks.

 

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In response to widespread pressure to reduce their emissions profile, U.S. producers are rapidly implementing vapor recovery units (“VRUs”) to achieve multiple objectives, including addressing regulatory and investor emission reduction targets, enhancing cash flow, and improving investor return metrics. The adoption of VRUs has been led by integrated majors and large U.S. producers utilizing VRUs and emissions controls to address investor, environmental, emissions management and public reputational pressures. Midsize and smaller U.S. producers are increasingly adopting VRUs due to improving economics and the value proposition of capturing and monetizing fugitive methane emissions. The widespread adoption of VRUs throughout the U.S. has played a crucial role in reducing the emissions intensity of U.S. onshore oil and natural gas production while also maximizing producers’ sales volumes, revenue and cash flow. With estimated operational uptime exceeding 99%, we estimate that VRUs can enable oil and gas companies to reduce emissions by 98%, which can result in operational paybacks on the purchase of a VRU of 2-6 months.

The total addressable market in the U.S. for VRU solutions is expected to grow by over $2.5 billion from 2023 to 2030, implying compounded annual growth of 5% per year. Rystad Energy estimates that as of December 31, 2023, the penetration of the total U.S. addressable market for VRUs was approximately 12%. VRU demand is accelerating, with large emitters doubling their VRU adoption rate since 2015 and growth is disproportionately driven by producers deploying VRUs on horizontal well sites. Demand for horizontal wells is expected to grow more than 8% annually through 2030 versus approximately 3% for conventional and legacy wells. Rystad believes that roughly 600,000 currently producing horizontal, conventional and legacy wells could employ VRU solutions. Going forward, more stringent regulations and the growing value proposition of VRU solutions are likely to continue to increase adoption rates for the roughly 14,000 new wells expected to come online each year through 2030.

 

U.S. Vapor Recovery Total Addressable Market ($Billions), 2021 — 2030

 

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions for the oil and natural gas industry. Our products and services include a full range of equipment and technology solutions that enable our customers to efficiently and cost-effectively maximize the profitability and economic lifespan of the production phase of their operations. Our principal products and services are organized into two business segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies. Our core technologies include high pressure gas lift (“HPGL”), conventional gas lift, plunger lift and vapor recovery unit (“VRU”) solutions, all of which are overlaid by our proprietary digital technologies and solutions that enable real-time remote monitoring and control to maximize efficiencies for our products and services. These products and services, including proprietary technologies such as HPGL, which was pioneered by FPS, hold, in their respective categories, leading positions in growing markets, and are used extensively by the largest oil and natural gas producers primarily in the U.S.

We generate revenues throughout the long producing lives of oil and natural gas wells, which may be able to produce for decades after being drilled and completed. As of September 30, 2024 we had a fleet of over 4,300 active systems enabling consistent revenue generation. We also sell other products and services that help our customers optimize the value of their assets. We believe that the demand for our products and services is more stable than demand for drilling and completion related services, and this demand has resulted in a more durable, recurring cash flow for our products and services than is typical in many other oilfield services. The production phase of a new oil or natural gas well begins when it is brought online. From this point forward, the rate of production is determined by the geological characteristics of the reservoir from which the well is producing, the design and construction of the wellbore from the reservoir to the surface, and the elapsed time since the well is brought online. This rate of production typically falls over time as the natural reservoir pressure declines and becomes insufficient to bring oil to the surface. This decline is particularly steep for shale wells found in onshore North American oil and natural gas basins.

Artificial lift and production optimization technologies are essential to counteracting this decline, increasing production rates, and maximizing hydrocarbon recovery, all of which improve the economics of a producing well. Artificial lift enables the economic production of oil and natural gas from shale wells that would be otherwise uneconomic. As a result, operating expenses associated with production optimization are less discretionary in nature, placing our solutions on a critical path for producers to generate positive returns and maximize the value of their wells. Furthermore, the production phase is the most stable and least capital-intensive phase of the well lifecycle, driving consistent revenue, durable earnings and stable through-cycle performance for our business. Our products are chosen due to their reliability and ability to aid our customers in achieving maximum output and cash flow from their producing wells. Our products and services also integrate proprietary digital technologies that allow for remote monitoring, and other enhanced uses of our equipment.

Our VRUs and other methane abatement solutions capture fugitive emissions of methane, which is a natural byproduct of oil production. As oil flows to the surface and is processed at the wellsite, methane is released as associated gas. Since methane is a very small molecule, much of it escapes as fugitive emissions. In addition, many sources of potential methane emissions exist throughout the natural gas value chain. By capturing these fugitive emissions, our VRUs and other methane abatement solutions allow for monetization of the resulting incremental natural gas volumes and enable our customers to meet their decarbonization goals and comply with regulatory requirements. These innovative and proprietary methane abatement solutions extend across each of our core technologies and can be used on their own as well as in conjunction with our other products and services. Demand for these solutions was initially driven by safety benefits, but accelerated as producers

 

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became more aware of the value of monetizing captured vapors, leading to high return on investment outcomes for our customers. Due to recent and emerging regulatory requirements aimed at reducing fugitive methane emissions across oil and natural gas operations from numerous Federal and state-level entities, operating expenses associated with our methane abatement solutions have become increasingly required and therefore non-discretionary in nature. We hold a leading position in the rapidly growing VRU market, which is driven by both economic and environmental benefits, and we have helped drive adoption of our methane abatement solutions with our customers.

 

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We have an operating presence in every major onshore oil and natural gas producing region in the U.S. and have cultivated deep and longstanding customer relationships with leading oil and natural gas producers in each region, including supermajors and large independent producers. We are headquartered in Houston, Texas with major service facilities in Midland, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; and Williston, North Dakota. We operate manufacturing and repair facilities in El Reno, Oklahoma; Houston, Fort Worth, Kilgore and Pampa, Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana. Our service centers are geographically positioned near our customers’ operations, enabling us to rapidly deploy our solutions and provide responsive, high-quality service nationwide. We had approximately 1,270 full-time employees as of September 30, 2024.

Our business currently operates under two segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies.

Production Solutions. We design and deliver products and services that enable our customers to optimize oil and natural gas production rates and volumes to maximize cash flow over the decades-long lives of their wells. We provide systems applicable to wells from initial production through their natural decline to late-life production, as well as digital technologies that enable the optimization of our systems’ performance and uptime. We also provide methane abatement solutions that enable our customers to capture and monetize fugitive methane emissions, improving the profitability of their wells and their compliance with recent and forthcoming emissions-related regulatory requirements. On a given well, our customers often use three of our production solutions offerings concurrently, utilizing our digital technologies and methane abatement solutions in conjunction with HPGL, conventional gas lift or plunger lift. Furthermore, in many instances, our customers utilize all of our production solutions over the life of a well, as our HPGL transitions to conventional gas lift in mid-stage production, which transitions to plunger lift in later-stage production. In some instances, customers install conventional gas lift components such as side-pocket mandrels at the same time as HPGL, even though the former may not be used for more than a year. We believe our integrated scope of services throughout the

 

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life of the well promotes retention and long-term partnerships with our customers. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, this segment contributed $327.8 million, or 60% of our pro forma revenue. Our production solutions include:

 

 

High Pressure Gas Lift.  HPGL systems are placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore. These systems are typically installed when a well is initially brought online and utilized for the first one to two years of the well’s life. High pressure gas injected deep in the well lightens the liquid column, enabling the flow of oil from the formation into the wellbore at flow rates significantly higher than what is otherwise possible. We believe our HPGL systems can deliver the same, or better, production rates when compared to ESP systems, which are commonly used for the initial phase of a well’s production. We developed HPGL technology to address several issues in shale well production which became apparent when the shales emerged as a major new source of oil and which can impact the reliability of ESPs. HPGL is designed to operate effectively over a wide range of production rates and to be resilient to produced sand. The rapid decline rates and sand production typical of shale wells can lead to failure of ESP systems, resulting in lost production and a costly intervention and replacement of downhole components. Unlike ESPs, HPGL requires no downhole components beyond the tubing string that is installed on all unconventional wells. The system is entirely controlled and accessible from the surface, leading to improved uptime and return on investment for the producer. HPGL units are provided to customers under contracts which are typically renewed multiple times. We believe the high level of contract renewal is due to the high reliability of our systems and our high levels of customer service.

 

 

Conventional Gas Lift. Conventional gas lift systems utilize surface systems placed at the wellsite to inject pressurized natural gas into the wellbore via a series of specifically tuned downhole valves. Conventional gas lift is typically installed after HPGL and utilized in the mid- to late-stage of a well’s producing life. We are the only company capable of providing a comprehensive, customized conventional gas lift system since we provide both surface gas lift systems and high-precision downhole valves, mandrels and gauges. Over the life of the well, we work closely with our customers to modify both the surface and downhole equipment to optimize the value of the well as conditions change. This process of technical consultation and provision of new services and products continues throughout the life of the well, which may span a decade or more.

 

 

Plunger Lift. We sell proprietary plunger lift systems that use the well’s natural energy to lift produced liquids to surface. These systems first allow the well’s natural pressure to build and then release the pressure into production equipment at surface, then repeat the cycle. The periodic release of pressure lifts produced liquids to surface, enabling the production of both oil and natural gas. Plunger lift systems are typically installed on wells that have already been producing for multiple years. In many instances, customers transition from our conventional gas lift systems to our plunger lift systems, often as a direct result of our life-of-well integrated solutions. In recent years, plunger usage has increased due to new designs that have widened its applicability, further enhanced by our digital solutions that can optimize the timing of the process. As a result, we are seeing increased adoption of our plunger lift solutions and displacement of rod lift. We sell plunger lift systems to our customers both upon initial installation of a plunger lift system and thereafter as these multi-year solutions require routine maintenance and replacement of key components. Applicability of our plunger lift systems has also expanded with the development of hybrid systems combining gas and plunger lift: PAGL; and gas-assisted plunger lift (“GAPL”). In these applications, the build-up of formation gas pressure is supplemented with surface equipment that we also provide for conventional gas lift applications.

 

 

Digital Solutions. We employ innovative and proprietary digital solutions to enhance the performance of our various Production Solutions segment offerings, enabling our customers to improve their oil and natural gas well economics by making more informed and timely operational decisions. Our proprietary Vizion downhole gauges are designed to operate in extreme downhole conditions, providing producers with

 

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accurate real-time information about the well, reservoir and lift system to improve critical decision making. Our remote monitoring solutions allow our customers to remotely monitor and optimize production across their well pads. Our automation solutions easily integrate with our gauges, devices and control systems to enable producers to effectively and efficiently operate their wells.

 

 

Methane Abatement Technologies. We also manufacture and install proprietary methane abatement technologies that allow producers to reduce fugitive methane emissions associated with their wellsite operations. Marketed under our ZTECH4 brand name, these include Sentry, our bolt-on emissions reduction technology that can be retrofitted to compressor packages; and Vault, our natural gas recycling system that reduces the need to flare or vent methane during maintenance. In all cases, our methane abatement technologies enable the operator to monetize valuable methane and to meet their decarbonization goals.

Natural Gas Technologies. We design and manufacture products and provide services that allow our customers to optimize cash flow related to natural gas production and monetize or utilize fugitive emissions related to producing oil and natural gas wells and other emissions-prone operations. We also provide ancillary and complementary products and services, as well as develop and sell related digital solutions in connection with these technologies. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, this segment contributed $219.5 million, or 40% of our pro forma revenue. Our natural gas technologies include:

 

 

Vapor Recovery. We manufacture, rent, sell and service VRU systems that capture fugitive natural gas vapors through a specialized system stationed on a well pad or in proximity to any methane emissions-prone component in the natural gas and unconventional oil value chains. The fugitive vapors are then compressed and typically delivered into the sales line for monetization by the customer or can be returned downhole to assist with artificial lift or production optimization. Our VRU systems employ digital applications that provide real-time data monitoring, predictive maintenance analytics and remote control, driving uptime and cash flows for our customers and preserving and maintaining our VRU assets. We offer most of our VRU systems on a contracted basis to our customers. We believe we have a high rate of contract renewal and long-term deployments due to the high reliability of our systems and our high levels of customer service. In addition, when requested, we will also sell systems directly to customers.

 

 

Natural Gas Systems. We manufacture natural gas systems at our domestic facilities. We focus on packaging systems tailored to production optimization applications, including those provided by our Production Solutions segment. In addition to manufacturing units for our own use in our Production Solutions segment, we also sell these systems directly to traditional contract systems service providers.

 

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We leverage our domestic manufacturing capabilities to ensure delivery of high-quality products with industry-best reliability and uptime, as well as to reduce our exposure to global supply chains. Our vertically integrated business model reduces the capital intensity associated with maintaining and growing our fleet of service equipment by capturing the manufacturing margin, reducing lead times of equipment deliveries and enabling us to optimize our inventory levels. This improves payback periods across most of our major product categories

 

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and streamlines commercialization of new innovations being incorporated into our Production Solutions segment. We believe that our control of these processes allows us to optimize inventory levels and to our customers’ evolving needs, while also facilitating innovation and improvements to our solutions offerings.

We supply critical equipment and services to the top oil and natural gas producers, who rely on our expertise to optimize the flow of oil and natural gas for the decades after wells have been drilled and completed. As producers further consolidate, we expect they will continue to manage capital expenditures related to their drilling and completion programs while focusing on optimizing and maximizing the value of their production streams. Our revenue generation is diversified across a wide range of customers. Our top ten customer accounts represent approximately 51% of our total pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. We have strong relationships with our key customers, and given our market leadership in our main segments, we have successfully worked with our customers to bring new solutions to market. Our differentiated products and services drive superior returns for our customers and have facilitated strong and lasting relationships with our diversified customer base.

We have a long history and successful track record of innovation and high-quality service to our customers. Flowco’s two business segments are underpinned by well-known and established brands with reputations for superior performance and reliability. These brands include (i) Estis; (ii) Flowco Production Solutions; and (iii) Flogistix. Estis was founded in 2002 as a leader in compression and artificial lift technologies serving the HPGL and traditional gas lift markets. Flowco Production Solutions was founded in 2014 as a leader in gas lift and other artificial lift solutions with a comprehensive offering of gas lift and plunger lift products. Flogistix was founded in 2011 as a premier production optimization and atmospheric solutions provider with an emphasis on vapor recovery solutions. The three brands were combined in June 2024 to create Flowco as a pure play market leader for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions. By uniting the three companies, we can offer comprehensive solutions that enable our customers to maximize cash flow over the decades-long lives of their wells.

Competitive Strengths

Our objective is to create value for our stockholders by serving as the leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions that help our customers maximize production and profit at the wellhead through a comprehensive offering of proprietary products and services. We believe that the following strengths differentiate us from our peers and position us well to execute on our strategy.

Pure play market leader for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement

We are a leading production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions provider to producers in every major onshore U.S. oil and natural gas producing region. We are solely focused on this segment of the market and our capital allocation strategy allows us to pursue product development and growth in response to planned and emerging customer demands. We design, manufacture, sell, rent and service products engineered to enable our customers to maximize the value of their assets by optimizing production through the life of their producing oil and natural gas wells. Because our products and services are focused on optimizing oil and natural gas well production throughout a well’s life and driven by our customers’ non-discretionary operating expenditures over the multi-decade lifecycle of their wells, rather than cycle-driven capital expenditure budgets for drilling and completions, we are positioned to generate highly durable earnings. Our products are sold under a collection of premier brands with strong recognition and reputations for superior performance and reliability.

 

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Differentiated technologies and services drive superior returns for our customers

We have built our business through a focus on new product innovation and the development of leading technologies. Our HPGL solutions, a technology that we pioneered in partnership with one of our leading customers, accelerate initial production of oil-producing wells. We believe HPGL is a more reliable alternative to other methods of high-flow artificial lift, including ESP systems, as it has no electrical or moving downhole parts and it eliminates downhole failures which lead to lost production and substantial intervention and pump replacement costs, thereby maximizing producers’ cash flow and return on capital employed. Our vapor recovery systems and methane abatement solutions allow for the safe capture and monetization of high value natural gas that would otherwise be vented or flared, providing a meaningful uplift to our customers’ gas production stream cash flows. In addition, these systems assist our customers to meet tightening emissions regulations and their decarbonization goals. We have made continuous improvements to our plunger lift system design that maximize efficient and economical production for our customers’ wells, positioning our plunger lift solutions as an attractive option for wells in more mature stages of production and which are displacing rod lift for many applications. We believe our product offerings within each of these categories hold leading market positions due to their superior performance, industry-leading reliability and high return on investment for our customers. Our leading fleet mechanical availability across the breadth of our installed equipment further differentiates us as the preferred partner for many of our customers due to the significant costs of failure and downtime for those systems. Our digital and automation technologies further enhance customer outcomes through real time remote monitoring, valuable analytics and remote operations capabilities that help to optimize production and improve operational safety and efficiency. Furthermore, we have an active pipeline of potential new and differentiated technologies across various stages of development to further enhance our existing offerings so that we may continue to play an important role in partnership with our customers.

Broad scope of production services distinguishes us from our competitors and supports retention and long-term partnership with our customers

While our technology offerings individually provide considerable value for our customers on their own, we believe our broad scope of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions and our ability to provide seamless service transition across the decades-long lifecycle of a well drives retention and supports long-term partnerships with our customers. Additionally, upstream consolidation is driving customer demand for providers of highly reliable and comprehensive solutions that enable them to optimize the cash flow of their asset base. We believe that our ability to integrate our services and facilitate cost-effective and operationally seamless transitions of our solutions offerings during the long producing lives of wells distinguishes Flowco from our competitors, positioning us as a preferred partner for our customers.

Cash flows driven by our customers’ recurring production operating expenditures rather than short-term drilling and completion capital expenditures

We believe that our focus on oil and natural gas production, rather than drilling and completion, places us on the critical path to maximize the value of our customers’ wells. Our revenues are generated across the long life of a producing well, which after being drilled and completed over several weeks, may remain on production for decades. Furthermore, unlike the drilling and completions markets, which have been volatile in recent years, the more attractive domestic artificial lift market, which is driven by non-discretionary operating expenditures, has grown significantly as producers increasingly focus on production optimization and artificial lift as an enabler for their unconventional reservoir development and a catalyst for improved output from producing wells, which leads to more durable cash flow generation for our business, even in cyclical market scenarios.

 

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Vertically integrated supply chain drives technology implementation and delivers industry leading margins and returns

We operate a vertically integrated business model across all of our product categories which drives our technology leadership and further enhances our competitiveness with regard to reliability, performance and capital investment. We domestically manufacture our core technologies including HPGL and VRU, as well as our traditional surface gas lift systems, gas lift valves, mandrels, plunger lift systems and other products. Our commitment to domestic manufacturing minimizes the risk of delays or quality issues inherent with international and domestic third-party vendors. Additionally, coupled with our experience in developing innovative technological solutions, our vertically integrated supply chain gives us the ability to rapidly refine and advance changes to product design or address customer-specific requests. We believe our vertically integrated supply chain reduces our rental fleet capital expenditures by capturing manufacturing margin, underpins our industry-leading margins, and coupled with the long useful lives and low maintenance capital requirements of our assets, drives our leading returns and free cash flow profile. Moreover, our digital-enabled solutions support optimized operations with real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, further supporting performance and reliability for our products and extending the useful lives of our assets over multiple decades. We believe we are uniquely positioned in the market as an attractive option for our stockholders to participate in continued growth in our core business characterized by attractive free cash flow and returns.

High quality and diverse customer base of leading oil and natural gas producers across every major onshore producing region in the U.S.

Our platform serves substantially all of the top U.S. oil and natural gas producers. These well-capitalized producers provide reliable continuing cash flows, as well as significant opportunities for further growth across our product and service offering. We believe as producers further consolidate, they will continue to focus on optimizing and maximizing the value of their production streams, while exercising capital discipline in drilling and completion programs. Also, as a result of this consolidation, producers will increasingly gravitate toward full-cycle, comprehensive solutions such as those that we offer. Our revenue generation is well diversified across a wide range of customers. Our largest customer during the year ended December 31, 2023 represents approximately 8% of our total pro forma revenue for the period, and our top ten customers comprise approximately 51% of our total pro forma revenue for the same period. Our differentiated products and services have driven superior returns for our customers due to their performance and reliability and have facilitated high retention and low churn with our diversified customer base. We have strong and lasting relationships with our key customers, and given our market leadership in our main segments, we have successfully partnered with our customers to bring new solutions to market. Our products and services are utilized across all major onshore oil and natural gas producing regions in the U.S.

Best-in-industry technical capabilities drive continuous improvement and robust technology pipeline

We leverage our leading technical expertise to make continuous improvements to our suite of proprietary and digital-enabled technologies and solutions, further supported by data collection from our industry-leading installed base of operating equipment. The enhanced application of our products and services through real-time monitoring, actionable analytics, automation and remote operations helps our customers maximize the value of our solutions through safe and efficient operations due to their durability and reliability, which is born out through rigorous testing in accordance with stringent performance standards. We also own a significant portfolio of patents, trademarks, licenses and other intellectual property that underpins our suite of innovative solutions. Furthermore, we have an active pipeline of new differentiated technologies across various stages of development that will add value for the customer through optimized production while helping them decarbonize their operations. We believe our customers will continue to adopt automation to drive productivity and efficiency in the

 

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coming years. Digital technology has become increasingly important as producers seek to improve reservoir performance and increase oil and natural gas recovery and profitability throughout the well lifecycle.

Highly experienced management team that has driven substantial value creation for stakeholders in past endeavors

Our highly experienced management team is focused on the operational success of the Company and driving leading returns generation as their interests are aligned with those of investors and customers. The team is led by Joe Bob Edwards, who serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. With over 26 years in energy private equity, Mr. Edwards brings significant experience across a broad group of energy-focused businesses to his role leading the Company. Additionally, the leadership team is comprised of executives that have long tenure with their respective businesses and are invested in the growth outlook of Flowco, including John Gatlin (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer), Chad Roberts (Executive Vice President, Production Solutions), and Mims Talton (Executive Vice President, Natural Gas Technologies). Collectively, our management team has deep industry, operational, managerial and financial experience required to effectively manage the Company and enable it to capitalize on business opportunities. With a proven ability to generate through-cycle returns, our team has been responsible for developing our business and executing our success to date. Additionally, our principal stockholders, Global Energy Capital and White Deer Energy, have proven track records growing companies throughout the energy value chain with a focus on the energy services sector. After giving effect to this initial public offering, management and other employees will have a   % beneficial ownership interest in the Company.

Substantial fleet of service equipment with long useful lives, low maintenance capital requirements and low customer churn drive earnings durability and support strong returns

Several of our service lines include an installed base of equipment that are provided to our customers under term contracts. The majority of our surface systems, including HPGL and conventional gas lift systems, as well as our vapor recovery units, are long-lived assets that require minimal ongoing maintenance expenditures and are deployed for long durations in connection with services to our customers. The breadth of our core technologies enables us to offer our customers solutions that seamlessly transition across the full well lifecycle and changing production profile. Based on the design and operating footprint of our solutions, progressing to other Flowco solutions along the life of the well minimizes switching costs resulting from changing providers and reduces downtime and costs associated with requiring intervention to support such transitions, ultimately improving the cash flow of our customers. This dynamic, bolstered by the enhanced performance and reliability of our solutions, drives customer retention, long-duration deployments and visibility into stable cash flows for our business.

Strong balance sheet provides ample access to capital and flexibility to support our strategic objectives

We believe that maintaining a strong balance sheet provides ample access to capital and financial and operational flexibility which enable us to achieve our strategic objectives. Access to liquidity and conservative leverage has supported our growth through prior industry cycles by allowing us to invest in our human capital and our continuous pursuit of improvement to our production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions, while also ensuring our high service quality standards are maintained. We believe that our cash flow, liquidity and leverage profile will allow us to meet our organic growth objectives in the near term. Our focus on our financial strength and flexibility through preserving a prudent balance sheet also enables us to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities.

 

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Business Strategies

We intend to achieve our primary business objectives by successfully executing on the following strategies.

Pursue continued growth in our core markets of production solutions and natural gas technologies

We are a pure play production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions provider to the largest oil and natural gas producers in the U.S. We intend to maintain and strengthen our market leading position through continuous product and service offering improvements and a focus on driving superior returns for our customers in their efforts to maximize the profitability and economic lifespans of their producing wells. Through our broad suite of solutions within our Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies segments, we are uniquely positioned to serve all of our customers’ requirements in these key disciplines. We expect the demand for production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions to continue to rise, and many of our customers are currently utilizing Flowco products in one or more but not all of our product categories. We believe there is ample opportunity for us to accelerate growth in our business by capturing additional revenue with key customers through cross-selling of additional Flowco products and services in the near-term.

Focus on generating superior returns and a stockholder-first capital allocation strategy

Our commitment to superior returns, reinforced by our management team’s meaningful ownership in the business, is reflected in our industry-leading returns. We intend to maintain our pursuit of maximizing total stockholder return through a comprehensive capital allocation strategy, including organic growth, M&A and dividends. Each capital allocation decision will be viewed through the lens of enhancing stockholder returns. In addition to our organic growth strategy, we intend to opportunistically pursue inorganic growth through disciplined sourcing and evaluation of M&A opportunities. Any potential acquisitions will focus on providing complementary solutions or capabilities that offer a strong strategic or synergistic fit and that will enable us to generate accretive value to our customers without impairing our profitability, cash flow profile or balance sheet strength. Flowco has an impressive and well-documented history of returning cash to investors through distributions while maintaining low leverage. We expect to initiate a dividend program upon going public.

Focus on serving customer production optimization needs for the full lifecycle of their wells

Through our broad suite of efficiency-driven solutions for optimizing uptime and profitability, we are uniquely positioned to serve customers across their operating geographies and throughout the decades-long lives of their wells. The scope of our product offerings and exclusive focus on the production phase of the well lifecycle allows us to work with customers to provide optimal solutions both as their well production profiles change over time and through continuous product innovation. We strategically target the production phase, as it is the most stable and least capital-intensive phase of the well lifecycle. By targeting products and services in this phase, we have achieved greater durability of revenue, cash flow and through-cycle performance for our business. This focus has also resulted in improved consistency and greater visibility into revenue and stability of cash flow generation due to exposure to customers’ ongoing and non-discretionary operating expense budgets, as opposed to capital expense budgets. Unlike drilling and completion activities, which can be measured in weeks, wells produce oil and natural gas for many decades. Our products and services are chosen by our customers due to their reliability and ability to achieve maximum output from their wells, in addition to assisting them with their decarbonization efforts through monetization and use of fugitive gas emissions.

Pursue disciplined growth in the U.S. by continuing to expand our addressable market through innovation and increased penetration in our key product lines

We expect to grow our presence in the U.S. by capitalizing on important trends in the oil and natural gas industry that play to our strengths. Gas lift, including HPGL, is seeing increasing adoption as oil and natural gas

 

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producers are increasingly concerned about the reliability of their artificial lift systems. We believe gas lift is more reliable than ESPs due to having fewer electrical and moving parts downhole, which leads to a superior value proposition through the elimination of downhole failures which result in lost production and substantial intervention and pump replacement costs. Furthermore, when compared with ESPs, gas lift systems are generally more tolerant of high temperatures and pressures, better suited for handling sand and other solids, more resilient to changing well conditions and easier to maintain. We currently serve a significant portion of the addressed HPGL market and intend to uphold our market leading position as we continue to grow into the largely unaddressed TAM. Oil and natural gas producers are also increasingly motivated to capture previously vented methane through the use of our VRUs, due to both economic and regulatory incentives. We were instrumental in helping our customers realize and adopt this technology and we expect to see further adoption by oil and natural gas producers. We believe we are the largest provider serving the largely unaddressed North American market for VRUs. Importantly, the growth outlook for gas lift and VRU demand is not dependent on drilling and completion activity. We are also well-positioned to achieve growth in our methane abatement solutions as industries beyond oil and natural gas producers, such as the midstream, refining and downstream industries and adjacent emissions-prone industries such as waste, ammonia and agriculture, seek to address their emissions challenges across their value chains.

Leverage our vertically integrated supply chain to continuously innovate and invest in production optimization solutions and maximize our returns

We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our vertically integrated supply chain to continue our strong track record of innovation and rapid product development, and to enhance our profitability and returns. Our commitment to continuous improvement across our core product suite spurs new product initiatives both internally and while working closely with our customers throughout the product lifecycle. Many of our products are installed and on location with customers for months or years at a time, leading to abundant data and feedback from customers on product performance, outcomes and improvement opportunities. For example, we pioneered the HPGL technology in 2017 alongside one of our key customers in our conventional gas lift market. Today, HPGL has become a preferred alternative to ESPs due to the elimination of downhole equipment failures, which lead to lost production and intervention and pump replacement costs associated with ESP usage. Additionally, our VRUs offer increased safety and economic value capture while making meaningful emissions reductions at the wellhead. While many of our customers initially sought to employ VRUs due to environmental and decarbonization goals, they now leverage VRUs as an economic driver to monetize fugitive emissions with high value gas vapors. As customer demand grows, our domestic manufacturing footprint can support additional scale while mitigating risks associated with sourcing important components, enabling us to capture manufacturing margin and enhance return on our service equipment. We have also strategically positioned our operations near some of the most prolific oil and natural gas plays in the U.S. This enables us to responsively deploy products and services based on market needs to the most significant areas of active oil and natural gas production across the U.S., which maximizes customer uptime and ensures high-quality service.

Partner with our customers to accelerate and enhance the effectiveness of their methane abatement efforts

We continually seek opportunities to enhance our partnerships with customers by innovating and developing methane abatement solutions that help them to optimize the profitability of their production operations, by monetizing their fugitive gas emissions while also supporting their compliance with recent and emerging regulatory requirements. To minimize methane emissions, we provide vapor recovery systems to capture and monetize natural gas and volatile organic compounds during the separation and storage of oil, natural gas and produced water from operating reservoirs, precluding the need to vent or flare these valuable hydrocarbons. We also provide solutions to reduce fugitive emissions from the operations and maintenance of compressors used in oil and natural gas operations. The value proposition of our solutions is reinforced by our data-driven digital

 

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offerings, which optimize the performance of equipment at the wellsite and help our customers quantify their economic and environmental benefits. In addition to addressing the growing demand for methane abatement solutions from the oil and natural gas industry, we intend to expand and adapt our portfolio of proprietary emissions solutions to scale our value proposition to customers downstream of the wellsite, such as the midstream and refining industries, as well as adjacent high-emission industries such as waste, ammonia and agriculture.

Drive superior outcomes by attracting and retaining best-in-class personnel and maintaining a strong innovation and customer-focused culture

Our industry leadership and expertise are underpinned by a strong entrepreneurial culture of customer-driven innovation and service and our ability to attract and retain best-in-class talent and leaders. We have attracted, and expect to continue to attract, some of the most experienced and well-respected managers, technical personnel and service professionals in the industry. Our senior management team has extensive operational, financial and managerial experience in businesses operating across multiple stages of the well lifecycle. We will continue to invest in securing and developing top talent at all organizational levels. Our people are a key component of our mission to continue to deliver innovative efficiency-driven solutions and profitability for our customers.

2024 Business Combination

Flowco LLC entered into a contribution agreement with (i) the Estis Member, (ii) the FPS Member and (iii) the Flogistix Member, pursuant to which, the Members contributed the direct equity interests of Estis Intermediate, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate to Flowco LLC in exchange for Series A Units of Flowco LLC proportionate to the value of the contributed entities. In connection with the 2024 Business Combination, the FPS Member also contributed substantially all of its assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to Flowco LLC. The 2024 Business Combination was consummated effective as of June 20, 2024. As a result of the 2024 Business Combination, our Original Equity Owners acquired the following ownership interest in Flowco LLC: (i) GEC Estis Holdings, LLC (i.e., the Estis Member) – 51%; Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (i.e., the FPS Member) – 26%; and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (i.e., the Flogistix Member) – 23%.

Employees and Human Capital Management

At Flowco our people are essential to the execution of our strategy. In addition to providing competitive compensation, we have implemented systems and programs that allow us to attain the high levels of expertise, commitment and productivity we require of our employees.

 

 

Training. We provide both in-person and online training to our employees. In general, more technical, service-oriented training is conducted in a hands-on, in-person setting; while general business training is provided online. Training is provided when new employees join our Company, as well as on a monthly basis throughout the year. In certain instances we also have employees participate in training provided by certain of our vendors.

 

 

Health and Welfare Benefits. We provide benefits to our employees and their dependents that we believe are competitive with other companies within our industry and in the geographies where we operate. We regularly benchmark our benefits and work with consultants. In general, we make modifications to our benefits annually during open enrollment. As part of this process we conduct in-person and online sessions in order to enable employees to make the best use of the benefits we provide.

 

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Safety. We provide our employees with the tools and instruction they need in order to operate in a safe manner. Under our Stop Work Authority program, every employee, regardless of role, responsibility or tenure, has the authority to stop an activity when they feel unsafe conditions then exist or may arise absent intervention. All safety incidents are investigated and reviewed by supervisors. Finally, we track our Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) as an indicator of workplace safety.

As of September 30, 2024, we employed 1,270 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or are party to a collective bargaining agreement, and we have had no labor-related work stoppages. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.

Facilities

Our principal executive office is located in Houston, Texas. We have 43 field locations and eight service centers across the U.S. Our major service facilities are located in Midland, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; and Williston, North Dakota. We operate manufacturing and repair facilities in El Reno, Oklahoma; Houston, Fort Worth, Kilgore and Pampa, Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our needs and believe that we should be able to renew any of our leases or secure similar property without an adverse impact on our operations.

Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary software and our brands. We have registered patents with respect to certain of our products. We have registered or applied to register certain of our trademarks in the United States and several other countries. We also license intellectual property from third parties, including software that is incorporated in or bundled with our proprietary software applications. We generally control access to and use of our proprietary software and other confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, including entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with both our employees and third parties.

Seasonality

Our results of operations have not historically been materially affected by seasonality, and we do not currently have reason to believe that seasonal fluctuations will have a material impact in the foreseeable future.

Legal Proceedings

We are, from time to time, party to various claims and legal proceedings arising out of our ordinary course of business, but we do not believe that any of these claims or proceedings will have a material effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Insurance

We believe that our insurance coverage is customary for the industry and adequate for our business. As is customary in the energy services industry, we review our safety equipment and procedures, and carry insurance against most, but not all, risks of our business. To address the hazards inherent in our business, we maintain insurance coverage that includes physical damage coverage, third-party general liability insurance, employer’s liability, environmental and pollution, cybersecurity, and other coverage. These coverages are subject to deductibles, and coverage for environmental- and pollution-related losses is subject to significant limitations. Certain types of losses are also generally not insured by us because they are either uninsurable or

 

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not economically insurable, such as losses caused as a result of inability to deliver on time or at the right quality, or losses occasioned by willful misconduct, criminal acts, fines and penalties and various perils associated with war and terrorism. Accordingly, our insurance policies may not be sufficient to adequately insulate us from a claim that exceeds policy limits or against every circumstance or hazard to which we could be subject. An uninsured loss, a loss that exceeds the limits of our insurance policies or a succession of such losses could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

In addition to the property damage, personal injury and other losses from these accidents, the frequency and severity of these incidents may affect our operating costs and insurability and our relationships with customers, employees, regulatory agencies and other parties. Any significant increase in the frequency or severity of these incidents, or the general level of compensation awards or regulatory enforcement sanctions, could adversely affect the cost of, or our ability to obtain, workers’ compensation and other forms of insurance, and could have other material adverse effects on our financial condition, our results of operations or our ability to operate. Please read “Risk Factors–Our products are used in operations that are subject to potential hazards inherent in the oil and natural gas industry and, as a result, we are exposed to potential liabilities that may affect our financial condition and reputation.”

Governmental Regulations

We are subject to stringent federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations pertaining to protection of the environment and occupational safety and health. Compliance with environmental legal requirements in the United States at the federal, state or local levels may require acquiring permits to conduct regulated activities, incurring costs to limit or prevent emissions, discharges and any unauthorized releases, and complying with stringent practices to handle, recycle and dispose of certain wastes. Permits and approvals can be denied or delayed, which may cause us to lose potential and current customers, interrupt our operations, and limit our growth and revenue. Moreover, failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctions delaying or prohibiting operations. These laws and regulations include, among others:

 

 

The Clean Air Act (the “CAA”);

 

 

The Clean Water Act (the “CWA”);

 

 

The Safe Drinking Water Act (the “SDWA”);

 

 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”);

 

 

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”);

 

 

Endangered Species Act (“ESA”);

 

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”); and

 

 

Rules surrounding regulations of GHG and climate change.

The trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment and thus any changes in environmental laws and regulations or re-interpretation of enforcement policies that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage transport, disposal, or remediation requirements could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. We may be unable to pass on such increased compliance costs to our customers. While any changes, or additions to, or more stringent enforcement of existing environmental laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us, we believe that we are in substantial compliance with all of these environmental laws and

 

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regulations. While compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our operations, we can provide no assurance that this will continue in the future. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Governmental Legislation and Regulation – We and our customers are subject to extensive environmental and health and safety laws and regulations that may increase our costs, limit the demand for our products and services or restrict our operations.”

Air emissions. The CAA and comparable state laws regulate emissions of air pollutants from various industrial sources, and impose certain monitoring and reporting requirements. Such emissions are regulated by air emissions permits, which are applied for and obtained through various state or federal regulatory agencies. Any such determinations could have the effect of making projects more costly than our customers expected and could require the installation of more costly emissions controls, which may lead some of our customers not to pursue certain projects.

Increased obligations of operators to reduce air emissions of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants from internal combustion engines in transmission service have been imposed by governmental authorities. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has published regulations under the CAA to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants from existing stationary reciprocal internal combustion engines, also known as Quad Z regulations. The NYSE rule requires us to undertake certain expenditures and activities, including emissions control equipment on certain compressor engines and generators.. We also are subject to air regulation at the state level. For example, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) has adopted revisions to certain air permit programs that significantly increase the air permitting requirements for new and certain existing oil and natural gas production and gathering sites for 15 counties in the Barnett Shale production area. The TCEQ has stated it will consider expanding application of the air permit program statewide. Although at this point we cannot predict the cost to comply with such requirements if the geographic scope is expanded, any additional regulation of air emissions from the oil and natural gas sector could result in increased expenditures for pollution control equipment, which could impact our customers’ operations and negatively impact our business. There can be no assurance that future requirements compelling the installation of more sophisticated emissions control equipment would not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash available for distribution.

Climate change. State, national and foreign governments and agencies continue to evaluate, and in some instances adopt, climate-related legislation and other regulatory initiatives that would restrict emissions of greenhouse gases. Changes in environmental requirements related to GHG emissions, climate change, hydraulic fracturing and alternative energy sources may negatively impact demand for our services. Other energy legislation and initiatives could include a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program. At the state level, many states, including the states in which we or our customers conduct operations, have adopted legal requirements that have imposed new or more stringent permitting, disclosure, or well construction requirements on oil and natural gas activities. In addition, almost half of the states have begun to address GHG emissions, primarily through the planned development of emissions inventories or regional GHG cap-and-trade programs. Depending on the particular program, we could be required to control GHG emissions or to purchase and surrender allowances for GHG emissions resulting from our operations.

Since our business depends on the level of activity in the oil and natural gas industry, existing or future laws, regulations, treaties or international agreements related to GHG emissions and climate change, may reduce demand for oil and natural gas and could have a negative impact on our business. In addition, our business, compliance obligations and financial and operational results could be impacted by initiatives to address GHG emissions and climate change and incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “Inflation Reduction Act”) appropriates significant federal funding for the development of renewable energy, clean hydrogen, clean fuels, electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure and carbon capture and sequestration, amongst other provisions. In addition, the Inflation

 

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Reduction Act imposes the first ever federal fee on the emission of greenhouse gases (“GHG”) through a methane emissions charge. In January 2024, the EPA issued a proposed rule to impose and collect the methane emissions charge authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act. At the international level, President Biden issued an executive order on January 20, 2021, recommitting the United States to the “Paris Agreement,” a United Nations-sponsored agreement for nations to limit their GHG emissions through individually-determined reduction goals every five years after 2020. In April 2021, President Biden announced a new, more rigorous nationally determined emission level of 50-52% reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net GHG emissions by 2030. In November 2021, the international community gathered at the COP26 in Glasgow, during which multiple announcements were made, including a call for parties to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and further action on non-carbon dioxide GHGs. More recently, at the COP28 hosted by the United Arab Emirates in December 2023, parties signed onto an agreement to transition “away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner” and increase renewable energy capacity so as to achieve net zero by 2050, although no timeline for doing so was set. The impact of these orders, pledges, and agreements, and any legislation or regulation promulgated to fulfil the United States’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, COP26, COP28, or other international conventions cannot be predicted at this time and it is unclear what additional initiatives may be adopted or implemented. These developments could further accelerate the transition of the U.S. economy away from the use of fossil fuels towards lower- or zero-carbon emissions alternatives, which could reduce demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business.

Many of our products and services are designed to facilitate our customer’s needs to decrease emissions and integrate alternative energy sources into their operations, and we also attempt to do the same to pursue economically beneficial opportunities to reduce our environmental footprint. To that end, we are reducing the use of pneumatic devise and improving cylinder packing materials to reduce our emissions of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and VOCs.

Water discharge. The CWA and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls with respect to the discharge of pollutants, including spills and leaks of oil and other substances, such as dredge and fill material, into waters of the U.S. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or an analogous state agency. The CWA also requires the development and implementation of spill prevention, control, and countermeasures, including the construction and maintenance of containment berms and similar structures, if required, to help prevent the contamination of navigable waters in the event of a petroleum hydrocarbon tank spill, rupture, or leak at such facilities. In addition, the CWA and analogous state laws require individual permits or coverage under general permits for discharges of storm water runoff from certain types of facilities. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil, and criminal penalties as well as other enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the CWA and analogous state laws and regulations.

Our artificial lift and production enhancement products and our related services do not generate process wastewaters that are discharged to waters of the U.S. In any event, our customers assume responsibility under the majority of our standard service contracts for obtaining any permits, including permits that may be required under the CWA, whether for discharges or developing property by filling wetlands. On January 18, 2023, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule revising the standard for what constitutes jurisdictional waters and wetlands subject to the protections and requirements of the CWA (“2023 WOTUS Rule”). On May 25, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated parts of the 2023 WOTUS Rule in its decision in Sackett vs. EPA. In response to Sackett, the EPA issued a final rule conforming its definition of WOTUS to the Sackett decision and narrowing federal jurisdiction under the CWA. That rule became effective on September 8, 2023. Changes to the jurisdictional reach of the CWA could cause our customers to face increased costs and delays due to additional permitting and regulatory requirements, and possible challenges to permitting decisions.

 

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Safe Drinking Water Act. A significant portion of our customers’ oil and natural gas production is developed from unconventional sources that require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process. Legislation to amend the SDWA to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, have been proposed from time to time and the U.S. Congress continues to consider legislation to amend the SDWA. Several states also have proposed or adopted legislative or regulatory restrictions on hydraulic fracturing, including prohibitions on the practice. We cannot predict the future of such legislation and what additional, if any, provisions would be included. If additional levels of regulation, restrictions, and permits were required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal or state level, or if the agencies that issue the permits develop new interpretations of those requirements, it could lead to delays, increased operating costs, and process prohibitions that could reduce demand for our services and products, which could materially adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

Site remediation. CERCLA and comparable state laws may impose strict, joint, and several liability without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the current and former owners and operators of the site where the hazardous substance release occurred and any company that transported, disposed of, or arranged for the transport or disposal of the hazardous substance released at the site. Under CERCLA, such persons may be liable for the costs of remediating the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition, where contamination may be present, neighboring landowners and other third parties sometimes file claims for personal injury, property damage, and recovery of response costs. While we generate materials in the course of our operations that may be regulated as hazardous substances, we have not received notification that we may be potentially responsible for cleanup costs under CERCLA at any site.

Our revenue-generating compression units typically are installed on properties owned or leased by third-party customers and operated by us pursuant to terms set forth in services contracts executed by those customers. Under most of our services contracts, our customers must contractually indemnify us for certain damages we may suffer as a result of the release into the environment of hazardous and toxic substances. We are not currently responsible for any remedial activities at any properties we use; however, there always is the possibility that our future use of those properties may result in spills or releases of petroleum hydrocarbons, wastes, or other regulated substances into the environment that may cause us to become subject to remediation costs and liabilities under CERCLA, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or other environmental laws. We cannot provide any assurance that the costs and liabilities associated with the future imposition of such remedial obligations upon us would not have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. RCRA and comparable state statutes regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Pursuant to rules issued by the EPA, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Drilling fluids, produced waters and most of the other wastes associated with the exploration, development and production of crude oil or natural gas are currently regulated under RCRA’s non-hazardous waste provisions. However, it is possible that certain oil and natural gas drilling and production wastes now classified as non-hazardous could be classified as hazardous wastes in the future. The possible removal of RCRA’s exemption for exploration and production wastes has the potential to significantly increase waste disposal costs to manage, which in turn may result in increased operating costs and could adversely impact our customers and, in turn, reduce demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business results and financial position.

 

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Endangered Species Act: The federal ESA and comparable state laws were established to protect endangered and threatened species. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Pursuant to the ESA, if a species is listed as threatened or endangered, restrictions may be imposed on activities adversely affecting that species’ habitat. Our customers may conduct operations on oil and natural gas leases in areas where certain species that are listed as threatened or endangered are known to exist. The listing of new species under the ESA in the areas where our customers operate could potentially adversely impact their operations, limit their exploration and production activities, and, in turn, reduce demand for our products and services. For example, in November 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the “FWS”) listed two Distinct Population Segments (“DPS”) of the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the ESA. The Southern DPS, the habitat of which includes portions of the southwestern Texas panhandle, was listed as endangered. Additionally, in May 2024 the FWS listed the Dune Sagebrush Lizard as endangered, the population of which is concentrated in the Permian Basin. The FWS may also designate critical habitat and suitable habitat areas that it believes are necessary for the survival of a threatened or endangered species. A critical habitat or suitable habitat designation could result in further material restrictions to federal land use and may materially delay or prohibit land access for oil and natural gas development. This could reduce demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business results and financial position.

Safety and health. OSHA and comparable state laws strictly govern the protection of the health and safety of employees. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of CERCLA, and similar state statutes require that we organize and, as necessary, disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations to various federal, state, and local agencies, as well as to employees.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and members of our board of directors as of the date of this prospectus:

 

     
Name    Age        Position(s)
Joseph R. Edwards      52        President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jonathan W. Byers      46        Chief Financial Officer

John Gatlin

     51        Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Chad Roberts

     38        Executive Vice President, Production Solutions

Brooks Mims Talton III

     58        Executive Vice President, Natural Gas Technologies

Alexander Chmelev

     40        Director

Jonathan B. Fairbanks

     58        Chairman, Director

Ben A. Guill

     73        Director

Paul W. Hobby

     64        Director Nominee

Cynthia L. Walker

     48        Director Nominee

William H. White

     70        Director Nominee

 

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we expect to appoint and name additional directors, including independent directors.

Executive Officers

Joseph R. Edwards has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2024. Prior to June 2024, Mr. Edwards served in various capacities at the energy-focused private equity firm White Deer Energy since 2011, including as Managing Partner from 2018-2024. Mr. Edwards previously served in various capacities at First Reserve Corporation from 1998-2011, including Managing Director and head of energy services investing from 2007-2011. Mr. Edwards has a BBA, Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.

We believe Mr. Edwards is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience in the energy services industry, including private equity, as well as valuable outside board experience from his previous tenures as director of Superior Energy Services, Inc., T-3 Energy Services, Inc. and Quintana Maritime, Inc.

Jonathan W. Byers has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2024. Prior to October 2024, Mr. Byers served as Chief Financial Officer of CSI Compressco LP from January 2021 until April, 2024 (as well as a director from January 2021 until April 2024). In March 2010, Mr. Byers co-founded and served as Vice President, Corporate Development of Spartan Energy Partners LP (“Spartan”) until Spartan acquired a controlling interest in CSI Compressco LP in January of 2021. Prior to his employment with Spartan, Mr. Byers served as Vice President, Corporate Development at Price Gregory Services, Inc., a pipeline construction company, and also served in different capacities in the corporate finance, energy investment and private equity space. Mr. Byers has a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

John Gatlin has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2024, having previously served as President of our subsidiary Estis since July 2019. Mr. Gatlin previously held the position of

 

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Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at Tesco Corporation, a publicly traded company, prior to its sale to Nabors Industries; and CEO and President of ChemEOR, Inc., a company engaged in oilfield chemistry. Mr. Gatlin previously served in various senior management roles at NOV Inc. from 2003-2014, including both domestic and international roles in corporate finance and strategy, operations, and manufacturing. Mr. Gatlin has a BS in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and an MBA from the Wharton Business School.

Chad Roberts has served as our Executive Vice President, Production Solutions since June 2024, having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary Estis since January 2019. Mr. Roberts previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer of Estis from 2017 until January 2019. Mr. Roberts previously served in operations, supply chain, and commercial roles with EnPro Inc., Dedicated Computing LLC, and Kohler Co. Mr. Roberts has a BS, Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from Auburn University.

Brooks Mims Talton III has served as our Executive Vice President, Natural Gas Technologies since June 2024, having previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary Flogistix since 2011. Mr. Talton previously founded Compressco Inc. in 1999 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until its sale to Tetra in 2004. Mr. Talton has a BA from University of Oklahoma.

Directors

Alexander Chmelev has served as a director since 2024. Mr. Chmelev is a Partner of GEC and has served on the investment team since joining Global Energy Capital in 2014. Mr. Chmelev previously worked for Quintana Energy Partners from July 2008 until July 2011, where he focused on energy private equity investments. He also worked at Simmons & Company International as an investment banker from June 2006 until June 2008, advising energy executives in mergers, acquisitions and capital markets transactions.

We believe Mr. Chmelev is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience in the energy services industry, including private equity and investment banking.

Jonathan B. Fairbanks has served as our non-executive Chairman and a director since 2024. Mr. Fairbanks has served as Managing Partner of Global Energy Capital since its founding in 2008. From 1997 until 2008, Mr. Fairbanks was a founder and director of the following public companies Seajacks International; Scorpion Offshore; Floatel International; Chiles Offshore; and a founder and director of Hercules Offshore prior to its public offering.

We believe Mr. Fairbanks is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience in the energy services industry.

Ben A. Guill has served as a director since 2024. Since 2010, Mr. Guill has been a founding Partner of White Deer Energy, a private equity fund focused on the exploration & production, oilfield service and equipment, and midstream sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. Until April 2007, he was President of First Reserve Corporation, a corporate manager of private investments focusing on the energy and energy-related sectors, which he joined in September 1998. Prior to joining First Reserve, Mr. Guill was the Managing Director and Co-head of Investment Banking of Simmons & Company International, an investment banking firm specializing in the oil service industry. Mr. Guill serves as a director of NOV Inc.

We believe Mr. Guill is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience as an investment banker and private equity investor in the energy services industry, including valuable outside board experience from his previous tenures as a director of: Emerald Oil, Inc., Dresser, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc., T-3 Energy Services, Inc., Chart Industries, Inc. and the general partner of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

 

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Paul W. Hobby will become a member of our board of directors upon the closing of this offering. Mr. Hobby founded Genesis Park in 1999 and has served as a Managing Member since its foundation. Mr. Hobby has also served as a board member of NRG Energy since March 2006. Mr. Hobby has previously served as a board member to FloTek Industries, Inc. from March 2019 to May 2021. Mr. Hobby has previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Monthly from Nov 2016 to July 2019. Mr. Hobby has also previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alpheus Communications from May 2004 to December 2011.

We believe Mr. Hobby is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience as a private equity investor and his extensive experience in the energy services industry, including his previous experience as a board member of NRG Energy and FloTek Industries, Inc.

Cynthia L. Walker will become a member of our board of directors upon the closing of this offering. Ms. Walker is the founder and currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mobius Fuels LLC, a renewable natural gas development and operating company in the United States. Prior to starting Mobius in 2024, she served as Chief Executive Officer of TES-H2, Americas and Chief Strategy Officer, TES-H2 Group, a green hydrogen company, where she served since October 2022. Prior to TES, Ms. Walker served as an executive at Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), including as Senior Vice President, Midstream & Marketing from 2016 until 2019, as Senior Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development from 2014 until 2016, and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from 2012 until 2014. Prior to such time, Ms. Walker was a managing director in the Global Natural Resources Group and Mergers & Acquisitions Group in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs & Co. Ms. Walker also previously served as an independent director on the boards of publicly traded companies, Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) and Chord Energy (NASDAQ: CHRD).

We believe Ms. Walker is qualified to serve on the board of directors of Flowco Holdings Inc. due to her extensive executive experience across the energy industry and her independent board expertise and experience at Sempra Energy and Chord Energy.

William H. White will become member of our board of directors upon the closing of this offering. Since January 2024, Mr. White has served as the principal of White Interests LLC, an investment and advisory firm. Mr. White served as Chairman of Houston, Lazard Freres LLC from June 2012 to December 2023. From January 2004 to December 2009, Mr. White served as the mayor of the City of Houston. Mr. White has also served as a board member for BJ Services, Pioneer Drilling, CB&I, USEC, and the North American Electric Reliability Council. He was also President and Chief Executive Officer of WEDGE Group Incorporated, a firm with oil and gas services and equipment manufacturing subsidiaries. Mr. White served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States from June 1993 to June 1995, and was in a partner in a firm specializing in antitrust and securities law.

We believe Mr. White is qualified to serve on Flowco Holdings Inc.’s board of directors due to his extensive experience in the energy industry, including his prior experience as a board member of BJ Services and other public firms.

Composition of Our Board of Directors

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors, which will consist of members upon consummation of the Transactions. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, the number of directors on our board of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by our board of directors (provided that such number shall not be less than the aggregate number of directors that the parties to the Stockholders Agreement are entitled to designate from time to time). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws will provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the directors in each class serving for a three-year term, and one class being elected each year by our stockholders.

 

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When considering whether directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable our board of directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the board of directors focuses primarily on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth above. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of our business.

Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, we will enter into the Stockholders Agreement with GEC, White Deer and certain of their affiliates, pursuant to which each party thereto will agree to vote, or cause to be voted, all of their outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock at any annual or special meeting of stockholders in which directors are elected, so as to cause the election of certain GEC designees and White Deer designee. Immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, affiliates of GEC will own      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. and      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., which represents in the aggregate approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock, and affiliates of White Deer will own      shares of Class A common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc. and      shares of Class B common stock of Flowco Holdings Inc., which represents in the aggregate approximately  % of the combined voting power of all of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s common stock. For a description of the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders Agreement.”

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each of which will be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders after the initial classification, the successors to the directors whose terms will then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election. Our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

 

the Class I directors will be Joseph R. Edwards and Cynthia L. Walker and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2026;

 

 

the Class II directors will be Alexander Chmelev and William H. White and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2027; and

 

 

the Class III directors will be Jonathan B. Fairbanks, Ben A. Guill and Paul W. Hobby, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2028.

Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. This classification of our board of directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of the Company. See “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

Director Independence

Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, our board of directors undertook a review of the independence of our directors and considered whether any director has a relationship with us that could compromise that director’s ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out that director’s responsibilities. Our board of directors has affirmatively determined that Cynthia L. Walker, Paul W. Hobb and William H. White are each an “independent director,” as defined under the NYSE rules. In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining his or her independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

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Controlled Company Exception

After the consummation of the Transactions, will have more than 50% of the combined voting power of our common stock. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE rules and intend to elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, including that: (i) a majority of our board of directors consists of “independent directors,” as defined under the NYSE rules; (ii) we have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; (iii) we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and (iv) we perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees. Therefore, immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, we may not have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors, an entirely independent nominating and corporate governance committee, or an entirely independent compensation committee or perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees unless and until such time as we are required to do so. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. In the event that we cease to be a “controlled company” and our shares continue to be listed on the NYSE, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the applicable transition periods. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Offering and Ownership of our Class A Common Stock—We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such corporate governance requirements.”

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors directs the management of our business and affairs, as provided by Delaware law, and conducts its business through meetings of the board of directors and its standing committees. We will have a standing audit committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the board of directors when necessary to address specific issues.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

 

appointing, approving the fees of, retaining and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

 

discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management;

 

 

discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

 

approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

 

overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the interim and annual financial statements that we file with the SEC;

 

 

reviewing our policies on risk assessment and risk management;

 

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reviewing related person transactions; and

 

 

establishing procedures for the confidential anonymous submission of complaints regarding questionable accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.

Upon the consummation of the Transactions, our audit committee will consist of Cynthia L. Walker, William H. White and Paul W. Hobby, with Cynthia L. Walker serving as chair. Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE rules require that our audit committee have at least one independent member upon the listing of our Class A common stock, have a majority of independent members within 90 days of the date of this prospectus and be composed entirely of independent members within one year of the date of this prospectus. Our board of directors has affirmatively determined that Cynthia L. Walker, William H. White and Paul W. Hobby each meet the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on the audit committee under the NYSE rules and the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the NYSE rules. Each member of our audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE rules. In addition, our board of directors has determined that will qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the audit committee, which will be available on our principal corporate website at www.flowco-inc.com substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions. The information on any of our websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

 

identifying individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors as set forth in our corporate governance guidelines and in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders Agreement;

 

 

annually reviewing the committee structure of the board of directors and recommending to the board of the directors the directors to serve as members of each committee; and

 

 

developing and recommending to our board of directors a set of corporate governance guidelines.

Upon the consummation of the Transactions, our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Ben A. Guill, Alexander Chmelev and William H. White, with Ben A. Guill serving as chair. We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the NYSE rules, which exempts us from the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. Ben A. Guill, and Alexander Chmelev do not qualify as “independent directors” under the NYSE rules. Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee, which will be available on our principal corporate website at www.flowco-inc.com substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions. The information on any of our websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

 

reviewing and approving, or recommending that the board of directors approve, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;

 

 

making recommendations to the board of directors regarding director compensation; and

 

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reviewing and approving incentive compensation and equity-based plans and arrangements and making grants of cash-based and equity-based awards under such plans.

Upon the consummation of the Transactions, our compensation committee will consist of Jonathan B. Fairbanks, William H. White and Paul W. Hobby, with Jonathan B. Fairbanks serving as chair. We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the NYSE rules, which exempts us from the requirement that we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Jonathan B. Fairbanks, Alexander Chmelev and Ben A. Guill do not qualify as under the NYSE rules. Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the compensation committee, which will be available on our principal corporate website at www.flowco-inc.com substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions. The information on any of our websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.

Risk Oversight

Our board of directors is responsible for overseeing our risk management process. Our board of directors focuses on our general risk management policies and strategy, the most significant risks facing us, and oversees the implementation of risk mitigation strategies by management. Our board of directors is also apprised of particular risk management matters in connection with its general oversight and approval of corporate matters and significant transactions.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our compensation committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Prior to the completion of the Transactions, we will adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code will be posted on our website, www.flowco-inc.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the NYSE rules concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code. The information on any of our websites is deemed not to be incorporated in this prospectus or to be part of this prospectus.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “2023 Summary Compensation Table” below. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our “named executive officers” and their positions were as follows:

 

 

Chad Roberts, current Executive Vice President—Production Solutions; and

 

 

John Gatlin, current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Roberts served as Chief Executive Officer of Estis during 2023, and Mr. Gatlin served as President of Estis during 2023, and were appointed as executive officers of the Company following the 2024 Business Combination. No other former officers of Estis, our accounting predecessor prior to the 2024 Business Combination, are executive officers following the 2024 Business Combination. Our current President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President – Natural Gas Technologies were not executive officers during 2023 and, accordingly, no information is being provided with respect to their 2023 compensation. We are currently evaluating employment agreements and bonus plans applicable to our executive officers to be implemented during 2024, or prior to or concurrent with the IPO.

This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt following the completion of the IPO may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.

2023 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers with respect to our accounting predecessor for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

           

Name and Principal

Position

   Year      Salary ($)     

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($) (1)

    

All Other

Compensation

($) (2)

     Total ($)  

Chad Roberts

     2023        298,498        333,521        60,168        692,187  

Executive Vice President—Production Solutions

              

John Gatlin

     2023        300,048        333,521        68,364        701,933  

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

              

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Amounts reflect annual cash performance-based bonuses and discretionary bonuses earned during the year ended December 31, 2023. For additional information about the annual cash performance-based bonuses and discretionary bonuses, please see the section titled “2023 Bonuses” below.
(2)   Amount reflects (i) payment of medical, short-term and long-term disability, and general term life insurance premiums for each of Mr. Roberts and Mr. Gatlin in the amounts of $18,530; (ii) matching contributions under the Estis 401(k) plan paid to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Gatlin in the amounts of $17,878 and $23,914, respectively; and (iii) vehicle allowances paid to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Gatlin in the amounts of $23,760 and $25,920, respectively.

 

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General

The 2023 compensation described herein represents compensation paid by Estis, our accounting predecessor prior to the 2024 Business Combination. In connection with this offering, we expect that our executive compensation program will evolve to reflect our status as a newly publicly-traded company, while still supporting our overall business and compensation objectives. In connection with this offering, we have retained Willis Towers Watson, an independent executive compensation consultant, to help advise on our post-2024 Business Combination and post-offering executive compensation program, including salaries, bonuses and equity-based compensation.

2023 Salaries

The named executive officers receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to us. The base salary payable to each named executive officer is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities.

2023 Bonuses

For 2023, Estis paid performance-based bonuses to its executive officers, including the named executive officers, based on EBITDA growth (weighted 35%), Active Gas Lift Unit Count Growth (weighted 15%), fleet return on assets (weighted 25%), ESG/Operational Excellence (weighted 10%), TRIR (weighted 10%) and Debt/EBITDA Leverage Ratio (weighted 5%). Annual bonuses are generally paid after the end of the fiscal year in which they were earned. For 2023 the Estis board of directors further allocated an additional discretionary bonus above the performance-based bonuses. Please see the Non-Equity Incentive Compensation column in the “2023 Summary Compensation Table” for the annual performance-based bonuses earned by the named executive officers in 2023.

Share-Based Compensation

Our named executive officers currently hold profits interests in GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, the prior parent entity of Estis (the “Estis Member”), that were issued under a Profit Units Plan (the “Profit Units Plan”) pursuant to which the Estis Member may grant profit units in form of Class B Units to certain Estis employees (the “Estis Profits Units”). The Estis Profits Units vest over a service period of three years from the date of the grant. However, no grants of such Estis Profits Units were made to our named executive officers during 2023. In additional to the three-year vesting requirement, all Estis Profits Units that have not vested shall vest in full upon the occurrence of a change of control event (as defined in the Profits Units Plan); provided the holder of such Estis Profits Units remains employed by Estis during such change of control event. Upon a change of control event, if Estis requests the holder of Estis Profits Units to continue to perform services for the benefit of Estis within the holder’s same scope and responsibility, up to twelve months after such change of control event, and the Holder terminates such services, the holder will forfeit the additional rights to receive consideration payable under vested Estis Profits Units. A change of control event did not occur during 2023 and therefore, no additional share-based compensation was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023. Estis Profits Units, whether vested or unvested, are also subject to forfeiture in connection with a termination of holder’s employment for cause. Estis, through the Estis Member, has the right and not the obligation to repurchase the Estis Profits Units at fair value in an event of termination of its employees (“call option”).

In connection with this offering, the Estis Member expects to modify the terms of applicable grant agreements or profits interest to provide for the acceleration of vesting of such Estis Profits Units concurrent with the consummation of this offering, and profit interest grants are not expected to be a component of our executive compensation program going forward.

 

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In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the Incentive Plan in order to facilitate the grant of cash and equity incentives to our directors, employees (including our named executive officers) and consultants of the Company and to enable us to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which we believe is essential to our long-term success. We expect that the Incentive Plan will be effective prior to the effectiveness of this offering. For additional information about the Incentive Plan, please see the section titled “Incentive Plan” below.

Predecessor Member Profit Units

Parent entities of Estis and certain predecessor entities issued profit units to certain executive officers, including our named executive officers, prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination. Grants of such profit units remain subject to the terms of such awards following the 2024 Business Combination, with the value based on the performance and value of the equity interests in Flowco LLC owned by our Original Equity Owners. In connection with this offering, the Original Equity Owners expect to modify the terms of applicable grant agreements of profit units to provide for the acceleration of vesting of such awards concurrent with the consummation of this offering, and the profit units grants are not expected to be a component of our executive compensation program going forward.

Other Elements of Compensation

Retirement Plans

We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. The Internal Revenue Code allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the 401(k) plan. Currently, we match 100% of contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan up to 3% of participant compensation, and a further 50% of contributions made by participants from 3% to 5% (for a maximum match of 4% of participant compensation), and these matching contributions vest immediately. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings though our 401(k) plan, and making matching contributions that vest immediately adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.

Executive Compensation Arrangements

In connection with the acquisition of Estis by GEC in 2019, Estis Compression Management LLC entered into severance agreements with Messrs. Roberts and Gatlin (the “Severance Agreements”), pursuant to which such executive officers are each entitled to continue receiving his base salary in accordance with Estis’ normal payroll practices for one year following a termination of his employment by Estis Compression Management LLC or any of their respective affiliates (the “Company Group”) without “cause” or by such officer for “good reason” (each as defined in the Severance Agreements). Such payments are contingent on such officer signing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company Group and such officer’s continued compliance with any restrictive covenants he agreed to with the Company Group.

We have entered into the New Employment Agreements with each of our named executive officers. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—New Employment Agreements.”

Director Compensation

None of our non-employee directors received any compensation for his or her service as a non-employee director during the year ended December 31, 2023 and none of our non-employee directors held Profits Units (vested or unvested) as of December 31, 2023.

 

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In connection with this offering, we intend to implement a compensation policy that, effective upon the closing of this initial public offering, will be applicable to all of our non-employee directors. Under this compensation policy, each such non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer of $125,000. In addition, each such non-employee director will receive an initial restricted stock unit award with a grant date value of $375,000, with all such restricted stock unit awards vesting in [twelve equal installments on each of the first twelve quarterly anniversaries following the grant date of the award, subject to such non-employee director continuing in service through such date. The vesting of all restricted stock unit awards will accelerate and vest in full upon a change in control (as defined in the Equity and Incentive Plan, described below). In addition, each non-employee director will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with his or her services.

Incentive Plan

In connection with this offering, our board of directors will adopt, and our current stockholders will approve, the 20   Equity and Incentive Plan, referred to herein as the “Incentive Plan,” effective as of the day prior to the effective date of this Registration Statement.

The purposes of the Incentive Plan are to align the interests of our stockholders and those eligible for awards, to retain officers, directors, employees, and other service providers, and to encourage them to act in our long-term best interests. Our Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 422), nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock awards, and performance awards. The material terms of the Incentive Plan are expected to be as follows:

Eligibility. Officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and independent contractors who provide services to us or to any subsidiary of ours are eligible to receive awards under the Incentive Plan.

Stock Subject to the Incentive Plan. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan is , plus an annual increase added on the first day of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 and continuing until, and including, the fiscal year ending December 31, 2034. The annual increase will be equal to the lesser of (i)      shares of Class A common stock, (ii) % of the number of shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, and (iii) an amount determined by our board of directors. To the extent an equity award granted under the Incentive Plan (other than any substitute award), expires or otherwise terminates without having been exercised or paid in full, or is settled in cash, the shares subject to such award will become available for future grants under the Incentive Plan. In addition, to the extent shares subject to an award granted under the Incentive Plan are withheld to satisfy a participant’s tax withholding obligation upon the exercise or settlement of such award (other than any substitute award) or to pay the exercise price of a stock option, such shares will become available for future grants under the Incentive Plan.

Plan Administration. Our compensation committee will administer the Incentive Plan. Our board of directors has the authority to amend and modify the Incentive Plan, subject to any stockholder approval required by applicable law or stock exchange rules. Subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan, our compensation committee will have the authority to determine the eligibility for awards and the terms, conditions, and restrictions of awards, including vesting terms, the number of shares subject to an award, and any performance goals applicable to grants made under the Incentive Plan. The compensation committee also will have the authority, subject to the terms of the Incentive Plan, to construe and interpret the Incentive Plan and awards, and amend outstanding awards at any time.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Our compensation committee may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and stock appreciation rights under the Incentive Plan, provided that incentive stock options are granted only to employees. Other than with respect to substitute awards, the exercise price of

 

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stock options and stock appreciation rights under the Incentive Plan will be fixed by the compensation committee, but must equal at least 100% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. The term of an option or stock appreciation right may not exceed ten years; provided, however, that an incentive stock option held by an employee who owns more than 10% of all of our classes of stock, or of certain of our affiliates, may not have a term in excess of five years, and must have an exercise price of at least 110% of the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the grant date. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plan, the compensation committee will determine the remaining terms of the options and stock appreciation rights (e.g., vesting). Upon a participant’s termination of service, the participant may exercise his or her option or stock appreciation right, to the extent vested (unless the compensation committee permits otherwise), as specified in the award agreement.

Stock Awards. Our compensation committee will decide at the time of grant whether an award will be in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units, or other stock award. The compensation committee will determine the number of shares subject to the award, vesting, and the nature of any performance measures. Unless otherwise specified in the award agreement, the recipient of restricted stock will have voting rights and be entitled to receive dividends with respect to his or her shares of restricted stock. The recipient of restricted stock units will not have voting rights, but his or her award agreement may provide for the receipt of dividend equivalents. Our compensation committee may grant other stock awards that are based on or related to shares of our Class A common stock, such as awards of shares of Class A common stock granted as bonus and not subject to any vesting conditions, deferred stock units, stock purchase rights, and shares of our Class A common stock issued in lieu of our obligations to pay cash under any compensatory plan or arrangement.

Performance Awards. Our compensation committee will determine the value of any performance award, the vesting and nature of the performance measures, and whether the award is denominated or settled in cash or in shares of our Class A common stock. The performance goals applicable to a particular award will be determined by our compensation committee at the time of grant.

Transferability of Awards. The Incentive Plan does not allow awards to be transferred other than by will or the laws of inheritance following the participant’s death, and options may be exercised, during the lifetime of the participant, only by the participant. However, an award agreement may permit a participant to assign an award to a family member by gift or pursuant to a domestic relations order, or to a trust, family limited partnership or similar entity established for one of the participant’s family members. A participant may also designate a beneficiary who will receive outstanding awards upon the participant’s death.

Certain Adjustments. If any change is made to our Class A common stock subject to the Incentive Plan, or subject to any award agreement under the Incentive Plan, without the receipt of consideration by us, such as through a stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary distribution, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other similar transaction, appropriate adjustments will be made in the number, class, and price of shares subject to each outstanding award and the numerical share limits contained in the plan.

Change in Control. Subject to the terms of the applicable award agreement, upon a “change in control” (as defined in the Incentive Plan), our board of directors may, in its discretion, determine whether some or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights will become exercisable in full or in part, whether the restriction period and performance period applicable to some or all outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards will lapse in full or in part and whether the performance measures applicable to some or all outstanding awards will be deemed to be satisfied. Our board of directors may further require that shares of stock of the corporation resulting from such a change in control, or a parent corporation thereof, or other property be substituted for some or all of our shares of Class A common stock subject to an outstanding award and that any outstanding awards, in whole or in part, be surrendered to us by the holder and be immediately cancelled by us in exchange for a cash payment, shares of Class A common stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding us, other property or a combination of cash, such shares of stock or other property.

 

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Clawback. Awards granted under the Incentive Plan and any cash payment or shares of our Class A common stock delivered pursuant to an award are subject to forfeiture, recovery, or other action pursuant to the applicable award agreement or any clawback or recoupment policy that we may adopt.

Plan Termination and Amendment. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate the Incentive Plan, subject to stockholder approval (i) as required by law or stock exchange rules or (ii) if such amendment seeks to modify the non-employee director compensation limit set forth in the Incentive Plan. Our Incentive Plan will terminate as of the first annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders to occur on or after the tenth anniversary of its effective date, unless we terminate it earlier.

New Plan Benefits. The compensation committee has the discretion to grant awards under the Incentive Plan, and therefore it is not possible at the time of filing of this prospectus to determine future awards that will be received by our named executive officers or others under the Incentive Plan. All officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and independent contractors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible for consideration to participate in the Incentive Plan.

IPO Grants. In connection with this offering, we intend to make initial grants of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain of our directors, officers and other employees; however, we have not approved any such grants as of the date of this prospectus.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following are summaries of certain provisions of our related party agreements and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of such agreements. Because these descriptions are only summaries of the applicable agreements, they do not necessarily contain all of the information that you may find useful. We, therefore, urge you to review the agreements in their entirety. Copies of the forms of the agreements have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and are available electronically on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.

The Transactions

In connection with the Transactions, we will engage in certain transactions with certain of our directors, executive officers and other persons and entities which are or will become holders of 5% or more of our voting securities upon the consummation of the Transactions. These transactions are described in “Our Organizational Structure.”

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering (including any net proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) to purchase      LLC Interests (or      LLC Interests if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock) directly from Flowco LLC at a price per unit equal to the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock in this offering less the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Flowco LLC intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of LLC Interests to Flowco Holdings Inc. to (i) repay indebtedness under our Credit Agreement; (ii) to redeem approximately $    million of Flowco LLC interests (assuming an initial public offering price of $    per share) from non-management employees; and (iii) for general corporate purposes, in each case, as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

Tax Receivable Agreement

Our post-offering organizational structure, commonly referred to as an Up-C structure, provides potential future tax benefits to both Flowco Holdings Inc. and the Continuing Equity Owners. In connection with the Transactions, Flowco Holdings Inc. will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement with the TRA Participants, that provides for the payment by Flowco Holdings Inc. to the TRA Participants of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that Flowco Holdings Inc. actually realizes, or is deemed to realize (calculated using certain assumptions), pursuant to U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws, as a result of (1) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transaction and increases to such allocable share of existing tax basis; (2) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis); (3) increases in tax basis resulting from (a) Flowco Holdings Inc.’s purchase of LLC Interests directly from Flowco LLC, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” (b) future redemptions or exchanges (or deemed exchanges in certain circumstances) of LLC Interests for Class A common stock or cash as described above under “—Redemption rights of holders of LLC Interests” and (c) certain distributions (or deemed distributions) by Flowco LLC; and (4) certain tax benefits (such as interest deductions) arising from payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Flowco Holdings Inc. expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of cash tax benefits, if any, Flowco Holdings Inc. realizes from such tax benefits. There is existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis in the assets of Flowco LLC, and subsequent sales or exchanges of LLC Interest are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the assets of Flowco LLC. The existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis, as well as future increases in Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable

 

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share of existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis, Basis Adjustments and other tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, may increase the depreciation and amortization deductions available to Flowco Holdings Inc. for tax purposes, decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets or otherwise be available to reduce Flowco Holdings Inc.’s taxable income, and, therefore, may reduce the amount of U.S. federal, state and local tax that Flowco Holdings Inc. would otherwise be required to pay in the future. Any payments made by Flowco Holdings Inc. to the TRA Participants under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally reduce the amount of cash that might have otherwise been available to Flowco Holdings Inc. for other uses and for the benefit of all of its stockholders. Due to uncertainty regarding various factors, Flowco Holdings Inc. cannot precisely quantify the likely tax benefits Flowco Holdings Inc. will realize as a result of the purchase of LLC Interests and LLC Interest exchanges, and the resulting amounts Flowco Holdings Inc. is likely to pay out to the TRA Participants pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, Flowco Holdings Inc. estimates that such payments will be substantial. The IRS may challenge all or part of the validity of such tax basis or other tax attributes, and a court could sustain such a challenge. Actual tax benefits realized by Flowco Holdings Inc. may differ from tax benefits calculated under the Tax Receivable Agreement as a result of the use of certain assumptions in the Tax Receivable Agreement, including those described in this summary.

The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be obligations of Flowco Holdings Inc. and not obligations of Flowco LLC. For purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the cash tax benefits will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of Flowco Holdings Inc. to the amount of income taxes that Flowco Holdings Inc. would have been required to pay had there been no existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis in connection with the Transaction, no Basis Adjustments and no utilization of Blocker Companies tax attributes (including the Blocker Companies’ allocable share of existing tax basis), and had Flowco Holdings Inc. not entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement. The actual and hypothetical tax liabilities determined in the Tax Receivable Agreement will be calculated using the actual U.S. federal income tax rate in effect for the applicable period and an assumed, weighted-average state and local income tax rate based on apportionment factors for the applicable period (along with the use of certain other assumptions). Although the actual timing and amount of any payments that we may make under the Tax Receivable Agreement will vary, we expect the payments we may be required to make to the TRA Participants could be substantial. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if, as a result of timing discrepancies or otherwise, the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement exceed the actual cash tax benefits that Flowco Holdings Inc. realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement and/or if distributions to Flowco Holdings Inc. by Flowco LLC are not sufficient to permit Flowco Holdings Inc. to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement after it has paid taxes and other expenses. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, the unpaid amounts will accrue interest until paid by us; provided, however that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a breach of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement and, therefore, may accelerate payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement, as described below. The payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not conditioned upon continued ownership of us by the Continuing Equity Owners.

Assuming there are no material changes in the relevant tax laws and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and assuming all exchanges or redemptions would occur immediately after the initial public offering, based on the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share of our Class A common stock, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, we would be required to pay approximately $    million over the fifteen-year period from the date of this offering. The actual amounts we will be required to pay under the Tax Receivable Agreement will depend on, among other things, the timing of subsequent redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interests by the Continuing Equity Owners, the price of our shares of Class A common stock at the time of each such redemption or exchange, and the amounts and timing of our future taxable income, and may be

 

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significantly different from the amounts described in the preceding sentence. Any payments made by us to the Continuing Equity Owners under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been available to us or to Flowco LLC and, to the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, the unpaid amounts generally will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid by us; provided, however, that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a material breach of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement and, therefore, may accelerate payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, will shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain sufficient available funds for the purpose of making payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and avoid entering into any agreements that could be reasonably anticipated to materially delay the timing of the making of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. We anticipate funding ordinary course payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement from cash flow from operations of Flowco LLC, available cash, or available borrowings under any future debt agreements. Decisions made by us in the course of running our business, such as with respect to mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations, or other changes in control, may influence the timing and amount of payments we pay to a redeeming Continuing Equity Owner under the Tax Receivable Agreement. For example, the disposition of assets following an exchange or acquisition transaction may accelerate payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and increase the present value of such payments.

The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless Flowco Holdings Inc. exercises its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early, certain changes of control occur (as described in more detail below) or Flowco Holdings Inc. breaches any of its material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, in which case all obligations generally will be accelerated and due as if Flowco Holdings Inc. had exercised its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement. Flowco Holdings Inc. may elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early by making an immediate payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future cash tax benefits with respect to all LLC Interests. In determining such anticipated future cash tax benefits, the Tax Receivable Agreement includes several assumptions, including that (i) any LLC Interests that have not been exchanged are deemed exchanged for the market value of the shares of Class A common stock at the time of termination, (ii) Flowco Holdings Inc. will have sufficient taxable income in each future taxable year to fully realize all potential tax benefits, (iii) Flowco Holdings Inc. will have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize net operating losses generated by deductions arising from any tax attributes covered by the Tax Receivable Agreement on a pro rata basis over the shorter of the statutory expiration date for such net operating losses or the five-year period after the early termination or change in control, (iv) the tax rates for future years will be those specified in the law as in effect at the time of the early termination or change of control and (v) certain non-amortizable assets are deemed disposed at the end of the fifteen-year period after the early termination or change in control. As a result of such assumptions, Flowco Holdings Inc. could be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are greater than the specified percentage of the actual cash tax benefits that Flowco Holdings Inc. realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement or that are prior to the actual realization, if any, of such future tax benefits. In these situations, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity. Changes in law or changes in tax rates following the date of acceleration may also result in payments being made in excess of the future tax benefits, if any. Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement is by its nature imprecise, insofar as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors. The increase in Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis and the anticipated Basis Adjustments upon the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests for shares of Class A common

 

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stock, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including:

 

 

the timing of future redemptions or exchanges—for instance, the increase in any tax deductions will vary depending on the fair market value, which may fluctuate over time, of the depreciable or amortizable assets of Flowco LLC at the time of each redemption or exchange as well as the amount of remaining existing tax basis at the time of such redemption or exchange;

 

 

the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the redemption or exchange—the increase in any tax deductions, as well as the tax basis increase in other assets, of Flowco LLC, is directly proportional to the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the redemption or exchange;

 

 

the extent to which such redemption or exchanges are taxable—if a redemption or an exchange is not taxable for any reason, increased deductions will not be available;

 

 

the amount of tax attributes—the amount of applicable tax attributes of the Blocker Companies at the time of the Blocker Mergers will impact the amount and timing of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement;

 

 

changes in tax rates—payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be calculated using the actual U.S. federal income tax rate in effect for the applicable period and an assumed, weighted-average state and local income tax rate based on apportionment factors for the applicable period, so changes in tax rates will impact the magnitude of cash tax benefits covered by the Tax Receivable Agreement and the amount of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and

 

 

the amount and timing of our income—Flowco Holdings Inc. is obligated to pay 85% of the cash tax benefits under the Tax Receivable Agreement as and when realized. If Flowco Holdings Inc. does not have taxable income, Flowco Holdings Inc. is not required (absent a change of control or circumstances requiring an early termination payment) to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for a taxable year in which it does not have taxable income because no cash tax benefits will have been realized. However, any tax attributes that do not result in realized benefits in a given tax year will likely generate tax attributes that may be utilized to generate benefits in previous or future tax years. The utilization of such tax attributes will result in cash tax benefits that will result in payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally be based on the tax reporting positions that we will determine. Flowco Holdings Inc. will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the Tax Receivable Agreement if Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of existing depreciable and amortizable tax basis acquired in this offering and increased upon the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests for shares of Class A common stock, the anticipated Basis Adjustments or our utilization of tax attributes are successfully challenged by the IRS, although such amounts may reduce our future obligations, if any, under the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, a challenge to any tax benefits initially claimed by us may not arise for a number of years following the initial time of such payment or, even if challenged early, such excess cash payment may be greater than the amount of future cash payments, if any, we might otherwise be required to make under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement and, as a result, there might not be future cash payments from which to net against. The applicable U.S. federal income tax rules are complex and factual in nature, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not disagree with our tax reporting positions. As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are substantially greater than Flowco Holdings Inc.’s actual cash tax benefits.

We will have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all our tax matters, including the filing and amendment of all tax returns and claims for refund and defense of all tax contests, subject to certain participation and approval rights held by the TRA Participants’ representative. If the outcome of any challenge

 

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to all or part of the Basis Adjustments or other tax benefits we claim would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the rights and obligations of the TRA Participants in any material respect under the Tax Receivable Agreement, then we will not be permitted to settle such challenge without the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the TRA Participants’ representative. The interests of the TRA Participants in any such challenge may differ from or conflict with our interests and your interests, and the TRA Participants may exercise their consent rights relating to any such challenge in a manner adverse to our interests and your interests.

The form of Tax Receivable Agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the foregoing description of the Tax Receivable Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Flowco LLC Agreements

Flowco LLC Agreement in Effect Before Consummation of the Transactions

Flowco LLC and the Original Equity Owners are parties to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Flowco LLC, dated as of June 20, 2024, which governs the business operations of Flowco LLC and defines the relative rights and privileges associated with the existing units of Flowco LLC. We refer to this agreement as the Existing LLC Agreement. Under the Existing LLC Agreement, the board of managers of Flowco LLC has the full, exclusive and complete right, authority and discretion to manage and control the business and affairs of Flowco LLC, to interpret the provisions of the Existing LLC Agreement, to make all decisions affecting the business and affairs of Flowco LLC, to take all such actions as it deems necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purpose of the Company, and the day-to-day business operations of Flowco LLC are overseen and implemented by officers of Flowco LLC. Each Original Equity Owner’s rights under the Existing LLC Agreement continue until the effective time of the new Flowco LLC operating agreement to be adopted in connection with the Transactions, as described below, at which time the Continuing Equity Owners will continue as members that hold LLC Interests with the respective rights thereunder.

Flowco LLC Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions

In connection with the consummation of the Transactions, we and the Continuing Equity Owners will enter into Flowco LLC’s Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, which we refer to as the “Flowco LLC Agreement.”

 

 

Appointment as Managing Member. Under the Flowco LLC Agreement, we will become a member and the sole manager of Flowco LLC. As the sole manager, we will be able to control all of the day-to-day business affairs and decision-making of Flowco LLC without the approval of any other member. As such, we, through our officers and directors, will be responsible for all operational and administrative decisions of Flowco LLC and daily management of Flowco LLC’s business. Pursuant to the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement, we cannot be removed or replaced as the sole manager of Flowco LLC except by our resignation, which may be given at any time by written notice to the members.

 

 

Compensation, Fees and Expenses. We will not be entitled to compensation for our services as the manager of Flowco LLC. We will be entitled to reimbursement by Flowco LLC for reasonable fees and expenses incurred on behalf of Flowco LLC, including all expenses associated with the Transactions, any subsequent offering of our Class A common stock, being a public company and maintaining our corporate existence.

 

 

Distributions. The Flowco LLC Agreement will require “tax distributions,” as that term is used in the agreement to be made by Flowco LLC to its members on a pro rata basis, except to the extent such distributions, would render Flowco LLC insolvent or are otherwise prohibited by law, our Credit Agreement or

 

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any of our future debt agreements. Tax distributions will be made on a quarterly basis, to each member of Flowco LLC, including us, based on such member’s allocable share of the taxable income of Flowco LLC and an assumed tax rate that will be determined by us, as described below. For this purpose, Flowco Holdings Inc.’s allocable share of Flowco LLC’s taxable income shall be net of its share of taxable losses of Flowco LLC and shall be determined without regard to any Basis Adjustments (as described above under “—Tax Receivable Agreement”). The assumed tax rate for purposes of determining tax distributions from Flowco LLC to its members will be equal to the combined federal, state, and local statutory tax rate applicable to Flowco Holdings Inc. (taking into account the deductibility of state and local taxes for federal purposes to the extent deductible under the Internal Revenue Code). The Flowco LLC Agreement will also allow for “supplemental tax distributions,” as that term is used in the agreement, to its members on a pro rata basis, which will be calculated based on an assumed tax rate equal to the highest marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate for a Fiscal Year, applicable to an individual, resident in New York, New York. The Flowco LLC Agreement will also allow for cash distributions to be made by Flowco LLC (subject to our sole discretion as the sole manager of Flowco LLC) to its members on a pro rata basis out of “distributable cash,” as that term is defined in the agreement. We expect Flowco LLC may make distributions out of distributable cash periodically and as necessary to enable us to cover our operating expenses and other obligations, including our tax liability and obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, except to the extent such distributions would render Flowco LLC insolvent or are otherwise prohibited by law, our Credit Agreement or any of our future debt agreements.

 

 

Transfer Restrictions. The Flowco LLC Agreement generally does not permit transfers of LLC Interests by members, except for transfers to permitted transferees, transfers pursuant to the participation right described below and other limited exceptions. The Flowco LLC Agreement will impose additional restrictions on transfers (including redemptions described below with respect to each common unit) that are necessary or advisable so that Flowco LLC is not treated as a “publicly-traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the event of a permitted transfer under the Flowco LLC Agreement, such member will be required to simultaneously transfer shares of Class B common stock to such transferee equal to the number of LLC Interests that were transferred to such transferee in such permitted transfer.

The Flowco LLC Agreement provides that, in the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization or similar transaction with respect to our Class A common stock, each of which we refer to as a Pubco Offer, is approved by our board of directors or otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of our board of directors, each holder of LLC Interests shall be permitted to participate in such Pubco Offer by delivering a redemption notice, which shall be effective immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the consummation of such Pubco Offer. If a Pubco Offer is proposed by Flowco Holdings Inc., then Flowco Holdings Inc. is required to use its reasonable best efforts expeditiously and in good faith to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the holders of such LLC Interests to participate in such Pubco Offer to the same extent as or on an economically equivalent basis with the holders of shares of Class A common stock, provided that in no event shall any holder of LLC Interests be entitled to receive aggregate consideration for each common unit that is greater than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A common stock pursuant to the Pubco Offer.

 

 

Recapitalization. The Flowco LLC Agreement will recapitalize the units currently held by the existing members of Flowco LLC into a new single class of common units, which we refer to as LLC Interests. Each common unit generally will entitle the holder to a pro-rata share of the net profits and net losses and distributions of Flowco LLC.

 

 

Maintenance of One-to-one Ratio between Shares of Class A Common Stock and LLC Interests Owned by the Company, and One-to-one Ratio between Shares of Class B Common Stock and LLC Interests Owned by Continuing Equity Owners. Except as otherwise determined by us, the Flowco LLC Agreement requires Flowco

 

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LLC to take all actions with respect to its LLC Interests, including issuances, reclassifications, distributions, divisions or recapitalizations, such that (i) we at all times maintain a ratio of one common unit owned by us, directly or indirectly, for each share of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, and (ii) Flowco LLC at all times maintains (a) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding and the number of LLC Interests owned by us and (b) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding and the number of LLC Interests owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and their permitted transferees, collectively. This ratio requirement disregards (i) shares of our Class A common stock under unvested options issued by us, (ii) treasury stock, and (iii) preferred stock or other debt or equity securities (including warrants, options or rights) issued by us that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock, except to the extent we have contributed the net proceeds from such other securities, including any exercise or purchase price payable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, to the equity capital of Flowco LLC. If we issue, transfer or deliver from treasury stock or repurchase shares of Class A common stock in a transaction not contemplated by the Flowco LLC Agreement, we as manager of Flowco LLC have the authority to take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries or repurchases, the number of outstanding LLC Interests we own equals, on a one-for-one basis, the number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock. If we issue, transfer or deliver from treasury stock or repurchase or redeem any of our preferred stock in a transaction not contemplated by the Flowco LLC Agreement, we as manager have the authority to take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries repurchases or redemptions, we hold (in the case of any issuance, transfer or delivery) or cease to hold (in the case of any repurchase or redemption) equity interests in Flowco LLC which (in our good faith determination) are in the aggregate substantially equivalent to our preferred stock so issued, transferred, delivered, repurchased or redeemed. Flowco LLC is prohibited from undertaking any subdivision (by any split of units, distribution of units, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse split of units, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) of the LLC Interests that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of (i) our Class A common stock to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Interests owned by us and the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) our Class B common stock to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Interests owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and their permitted transferees, collectively, and the number of outstanding shares of our Class B common stock, as applicable, in each case, subject to exceptions.

 

 

Issuance of LLC Interests upon Exercise of Options or Issuance of Other Equity Compensation. Upon the exercise of options issued by us (as opposed to options issued by Flowco LLC), or the issuance of other types of equity compensation by us (such as the issuance of restricted or non-restricted stock, payment of bonuses in stock or settlement of stock appreciation rights in stock), we will have the right to acquire from Flowco LLC a number of LLC Interests equal to the number of our shares of Class A common stock being issued in connection with the exercise of such options or issuance of other types of equity compensation. When we issue shares of Class A common stock in settlement of stock options granted to persons that are not officers or employees of Flowco LLC or its subsidiaries, we will make, or be deemed to make, a capital contribution in Flowco LLC equal to the aggregate value of such shares of Class A common stock and Flowco LLC will issue to us a number of LLC Interests equal to the number of shares we issued. When we issue shares of Class A common stock in settlement of stock options granted to persons that are officers or employees of Flowco LLC or its subsidiaries, then we will be deemed to have sold directly to the person exercising such award a portion of the value of each share of Class A common stock equal to the exercise price per share, and we will be deemed to have sold directly to Flowco LLC (or the applicable subsidiary of Flowco LLC) the difference between the exercise price and market price per share for each such share of Class A common stock. In cases where we grant other types of equity compensation to employees of Flowco LLC or its subsidiaries, on each

 

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applicable vesting date we will be deemed to have sold to Flowco LLC (or such subsidiary) the number of vested shares at a price equal to the market price per share, Flowco LLC (or such subsidiary) will deliver the shares to the applicable person, and we will be deemed to have made a capital contribution in Flowco LLC equal to the purchase price for such shares in exchange for an equal number of LLC Interests.

 

 

Dissolution. The Flowco LLC Agreement will provide that the consent of Flowco Holdings Inc., as the managing member of Flowco LLC, and members holding a majority of the voting units will be required to voluntarily dissolve Flowco LLC. In addition to a voluntary dissolution, Flowco LLC will be dissolved upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution or other circumstances in accordance with Delaware law. Upon a dissolution event, the proceeds of a liquidation will be distributed in the following order: (i) first, to pay the expenses of winding up Flowco LLC; (ii) second, to pay debts and liabilities owed to creditors of Flowco LLC, other than members; and (iii) third, to the members pro-rata in accordance with their respective percentage ownership interests in Flowco LLC (as determined based on the number of LLC Interests held by a member relative to the aggregate number of all outstanding LLC Interests).

 

 

Confidentiality. We, as manager, and each member agree to maintain the confidentiality of Flowco LLC’s confidential information. This obligation excludes information independently obtained or developed by the members, information that is in the public domain or otherwise disclosed to a member, in either such case not in violation of a confidentiality obligation of the Flowco LLC Agreement or approved for release by written authorization of the certain designated officers of either Flowco Holdings Inc. or Flowco LLC.

 

 

Indemnification. The Flowco LLC Agreement will provide for indemnification of the manager, members and officers of Flowco LLC and their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

 

Common Unit Redemption Right. The Flowco LLC Agreement will provide a redemption right to the Continuing Equity Owners which will entitle them to have their LLC Interests redeemed for, at our election (as determined by at least two of our independent directors (within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE)), newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or, to the extent there is cash available from a secondary offering, a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of Class A common stock for each LLC interest so redeemed, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement; provided that, at our election, we may effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may exercise such redemption right, subject to certain exceptions and reasonable timing procedures, for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. In connection with the exercise of the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests (i) the Continuing Equity Owners will be required to surrender a number of shares of our Class B common stock registered in the name of such redeeming or exchanging Continuing Equity Owner, and therefore, will be transferred to the Company and will be canceled for no consideration on a one-for-one basis with the number of LLC Interests so redeemed or exchanged and (ii) all redeeming members will surrender LLC Interests to Flowco LLC for cancellation.

Each Continuing Equity Owner’s redemption rights will be subject to certain customary limitations, including the expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of our Class A common stock that may be applicable to such Continuing Equity Owner and the absence of any liens or encumbrances on such LLC Interests redeemed. Additionally, in the case we elect a cash settlement, such Continuing Equity Owner may rescind its redemption request within a specified period of time. Moreover, in the case of a settlement in Class A common stock, such redemption may be conditioned on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A common stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed redemption. In the case of a settlement in Class A common stock, such Continuing Equity Owner may also revoke or delay its redemption request if the following conditions exist: (i) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A common stock to be registered for such Continuing Equity Owner at or immediately following the consummation of the

 

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redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective; (ii) we failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such redemption; (iii) we exercised our right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Continuing Equity Owner to have its Class A common stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the redemption; (iv) such Continuing Equity Owner is in possession of any material non-public information concerning us, the receipt of which results in such Continuing Equity Owner being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A common stock at or immediately following the redemption without disclosure of such information (and we do not permit disclosure); (v) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A common stock was to be registered by such Continuing Equity Owner at or immediately following the redemption shall have been issued by the SEC; (vi) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A common stock is then traded; (vii) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any governmental entity that restrains or prohibits the redemption; (viii) we shall have failed to comply in all material respects with our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Continuing Equity Owner to consummate the resale of the Class A common stock to be received upon such redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement; or (ix) the redemption date would occur three business days or less prior to, or during, a black-out period.

The Flowco LLC Agreement will require that in the case of a redemption by a Continuing Equity Owner we contribute cash or shares of our Class A common stock, as applicable, to Flowco LLC in exchange for an amount of newly-issued LLC Interests that will be issued to us equal to the number of LLC Interests redeemed from the Continuing Equity Owner. Flowco LLC will then distribute the cash or shares of our Class A common stock, as applicable, to such Continuing Equity Owner to complete the redemption. In the event of an election by a Continuing Equity Owner, we may, at our option, effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of cash or our Class A common stock, as applicable, for such LLC Interests in lieu of such a redemption. Whether by redemption or exchange, we are obligated to ensure that at all times the number of LLC Interests that we own equals the number of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock (subject to certain exceptions for treasury shares and shares underlying certain convertible or exchangeable securities).

 

 

Amendments. In addition to certain other requirements, our consent, as manager, and the consent of members holding a majority of the LLC Interests then outstanding and entitled to vote (excluding LLC Interests held directly or indirectly by us) will generally be required to amend or modify the Flowco LLC Agreement.

Stockholders Agreement

Under the Stockholders Agreement, (i) GEC will have the right to designate two (2) of our directors, or the “GEC Directors,” for as long as GEC and its affiliates (the “GEC Affiliates”) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 20% of our issued and outstanding Class A common stock (assuming that all outstanding LLC Interests in Flowco LLC are redeemed for newly issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis) (our “Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares”) and if at any time the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than 20% and at least 10% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will have the right to designate one (1) of our directors, and (ii) White Deer will have the right to designate one (1) of our directors, or the “White Deer Director,” which will be the White Deer Director for as long as White Deer beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, at least 10% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares. The initial directors upon the consummation of this offering will be Jonathan B. Fairbanks and Alexander Chmelev, as the GEC Directors, Ben A. Guill, as the White Deer Director, Joseph R. Edwards, our CEO, and three independent directors mutually agreed by GEC and White Deer.

 

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Following the consummation of this offering, (i) for so long as the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 30% of our Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will be entitled to designate for nomination by the board of directors (the “Board”) in any applicable election, that number of individuals who satisfy specified NYSE and SEC independent requirements (the “Independence Requirements”), which, assuming all such individuals are successfully elected to the board, when taken together with any incumbent independent director initially designated at the closing of this offering or subsequently designated for nomination by GEC (an “Independent Director”) not standing for election in such election, would result in there being at least three (3) Independent Directors on the Board (and to designate for nomination by the Board in any applicable election any other directors intended to qualify as Independent Directors), and (ii) if at any time, the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than 30% but at least 20% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, GEC will be entitled to designate for nomination by the Board in any applicable election that number of individuals who each satisfy the Independence Requirements, which, assuming all such individuals are successfully elected to the Board, when taken together with any incumbent Independent Director not standing for election in such election, would result in there being two (2) Independent Director serving on the Board. Individuals designated by GEC as Independent Directors do not count against the number of GEC Directors that may be designated. GEC is not entitled to designate any individuals as Independent Directors if at any time the GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 20% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares.

Each of GEC, White Deer, and affiliates party to the Stockholders Agreement, and their permitted transferees, will also agree to vote, or cause to vote, all of their outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock at any annual or special meeting of stockholders in which directors are elected, so as to cause the election of the GEC Directors and White Deer Director. Additionally, pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, we shall take all commercially reasonable actions to cause (i) the board of directors to be comprised of at least seven (7) and not more than eight (8) directors or such other number of directors as our board of directors may determine; (ii) the individuals designated in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders Agreement to be included in the slate of nominees to be elected to the board of directors at the next annual or special meeting of our stockholders at which directors are to be elected and at each annual meeting of our stockholders thereafter at which a director’s term expires; and (iii) the individuals designated in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders Agreement to fill the applicable vacancies on the board of directors. The Stockholders Agreement allows for the board of directors to reject the nomination, appointment or election of a particular director if such nomination, appointment or election would constitute a breach of the board of directors’ fiduciary duties to our stockholders or does not otherwise comply with any requirements of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws or the charter for, or related guidelines of, the board of directors’ nominating and corporate governance committee. Jonathan B. Fairbanks will serve as the initial Chairperson of the Board for his initial term (or for such longer period as GEC Affiliates beneficially own at least 10% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares), after which the Chairperson of the Board shall be determined in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement and our bylaws. For so long as GEC Affiliates beneficially own, at least 20% of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, with respect to any committee of directors established by the Board, the Stockholders Agreement provides that we will cause each Board committee to include (and the Board to designate to such committee), one GEC Director (or, in the absence of such inclusion, to require the inclusion of an Independent Director specified by GEC) on any committee, subject to such person meeting applicable requirements for service on such committee under applicable NYSE and SEC rules. See “Management—Composition of our Board of Directors.”

 

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In addition, the Stockholders Agreement provides that we will not take, and will cause our subsidiaries not to take, certain actions (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) without the prior written approval of GEC, for as long as GEC Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate 10% or more of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, and White Deer, for as long as White Deer Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate 10% or more of the Deemed Outstanding Class A Shares, including:

 

 

the reorganization, recapitalization, voluntary bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries;

 

 

the (i) resignation, replacement or removal of Flowco Holdings Inc. as the sole manager of Flowco LLC or (ii) appointment of any additional person as a manager of Flowco LLC;

 

 

the creation of a new class or series of capital stock or equity securities of Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries;

 

 

any amendment or modification of the organizational documents of Flowco Holdings Inc. (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition in which Class A common stock is exchanged for cash and/or marketable securities of another entity listed on a national stock exchange);

 

 

any increase or decrease of the size of the Board below seven (7) or above eight (8);

 

 

any material change to the primary nature of Flowco Holdings Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ business; or

 

 

any agreement, authorization or commitment to do any of the foregoing.

The Stockholders Agreement also provides for an observer right to a GEC-designated individual based on continued ownership by former members of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. The Stockholders Agreement will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) each of the GEC parties and White Deer parties cease to beneficially own, directly and indirectly, any shares of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock or (ii) by unanimous consent of us, GEC and White Deer.

Registration Rights Agreement

We intend to enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Continuing Equity Owners in connection with this offering. The Registration Rights Agreement will provide certain of the Continuing Equity Owners with “demand” registration rights whereby, at any time after 180 days following our initial public offering and the expiration of any related lock-up period, such Continuing Equity Owners can require us to register under the Securities Act the offer and sale of shares of Class A common stock issuable to them, at our election, upon redemption or exchange of their LLC Interests. The Registration Rights Agreement will also provide for customary “piggyback” registration rights for all parties to the agreement.

New Employment Agreements

Employment Terms

During October and November 2024, we entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers (the “New Employment Agreements”). The material terms of the New Employment Agreements for Joseph R. Edwards, John Gatlin, Jonathan W. Byers, Chad Roberts and Mims Talton are summarized below:

Employment Term and Position. The New Employment Agreements do not provide for a term of employment, and each named executive officer is employed at-will and may be terminated at any time pursuant to the terms and conditions of the New Employment Agreements. During their respective terms of employment, Joseph R. Edwards

 

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will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, John Gatlin will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan W. Byers will serve as Chief Financial Officer, Chad Roberts will serve as Executive Vice President, Production Solutions and Mims Talton will serve as Executive Vice President, Natural Gas Technologies.

Base Salary. Pursuant to their New Employment Agreements: Joseph R. Edwards will be entitled to a base salary of $700,000, John Gatlin will be entitled to a base salary of $500,000, Jonathan W. Byers will be entitled to a base salary of $450,000, Chad Roberts will be entitled to a base salary of $450,000 and Mims Talton will be entitled to a base salary of $450,000.

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Restrictions. Each of Joseph R. Edwards, John Gatlin, Jonathan W. Byers, Chad Roberts and Mims Talton are subject to post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions for a period of 24 months or, in the event the applicable named executive officer is entitled to receive severance benefits, 12 months.

Bonus

Annual Cash Incentive. In addition to their base salary, each named executive officer will be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual performance-based cash bonus upon the attainment of individual performance goals and the performance goals of Flowco Holdings Inc. established by our board of directors in its sole discretion. Under the New Employment Agreements, subject to certain conditions, Joseph R. Edwards will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus commencing with calendar year 2025 with a target bonus opportunity equal to 100% of his annual base salary; each of John Gatlin and Jonathan W. Byers will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus commencing with calendar year 2025 with a target bonus opportunity equal to 85% of his annual base salary; and each of Chad Roberts and Mims Talton will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus commencing with calendar year 2025 with a target bonus opportunity equal to 75% of his annual base salary. For the period beginning on the effective date of such New Employment Agreement and ending on the last day of the 2024 calendar year, such executive officer shall be eligible to receive a prorated annual performance bonus pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the previously approved bonus plan for each of GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (calculated as the annual performance bonus that would have been paid under such bonus plans for the entire 2024 calendar year, if any, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of days that elapsed between the effective date of such New Employment Agreement and December 31, 2024, and the denominator of which is equal to the total number of days in the 2024 calendar year). All other terms and conditions applicable to the annual cash bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an annual cash bonus, whether any annual cash bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such annual cash bonus, shall be determined by the board of directors in its sole discretion.

Long Term Incentive Compensation. Pursuant to the New Employment Agreements, each named executive officer is eligible to participate in any equity incentive plan, under which we may grant cash and equity incentive awards to eligible employees and other service providers. Each named executive officer’s participation in such equity incentive plans is subject to the terms and conditions of any such plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by our board of directors or its designee, in its discretion.

Compensation Clawback. Any incentive-based or other compensation paid to a named executive officer which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirements will be subject to such deductions and claw back as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by Flowco Holdings Inc. pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

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programs made available to named executive officers and/or similarly situated senior executives. Such benefits plans, practices and programs include, but are not limited to, health insurance or health care plans, vacation and holiday plans, life insurance and disability insurance. Additionally, each named executive officer is entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary business-related expenses incurred in connection with performance of his duties and responsibilities, subject to standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to similarly situated senior executives.

Termination and Change of Control

Termination for Convenience or Good Reason. Each of the New Employment Agreements provides that we may terminate such agreement for convenience and each named executive officer may terminate such agreement for good reason at any time. Upon either such termination, the named executive officer will be entitled to receive (i) a cash payment equal to his base salary for a period of 12 months, (ii) a cash payment equal to his annual cash bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs, in addition to any unpaid bonus payments and (iii) continued health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) for a period of up to 12 months.

Termination Upon Death or Disability. If a named executive officer is terminated due to his death or disability, then such named executive officer will be entitled to receive (i) a pro rata portion of the annual cash bonus described above, (ii) any portion of the base salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the termination date and (iii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement in accordance with our policies, which remain unpaid as of the termination date.

Termination upon Change in Control. Each of the New Employment Agreements provides that, in the event Flowco Holdings Inc. undergoes a change in control and the New Employment Agreement is terminated by Flowco Holdings Inc. for convenience or by the named executive officer for good reason, in either case within 12 months following such change in control of Flowco Holdings Inc., then the named executive officer will be entitled to receive (i) a cash payment equal to two times the sum of (a) his base salary and (b) his annual cash bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs and (ii) continued health insurance coverage under COBRA for a period of up to 12 months.

Reserved Share Program

At our request, an affiliate of       , a participating underwriter, has reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 5% of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus for sale to certain of our directors, officers and employees through a directed share program. See “Underwriting—Reserved Share Program” for more information.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. We have also purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. See “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors.”

Our Policy Regarding Related Party Transactions

Our board of directors will adopt a written related person transaction policy, to be effective upon the closing of this offering, setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification by our audit committee of related person transactions. This policy will cover, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of

 

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Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in any fiscal year and a related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described in this section occurred prior to the adoption of this policy.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock (i) immediately following the consummation of the Transactions (excluding this offering), as described in “Our Organizational Structure” and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to this offering, for:

 

 

each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock;

 

 

each of our directors;

 

 

each of our named executive officers; and

 

 

all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

As described in “Our Organizational Structure” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” each common unit (other than LLC Interests held by us) is redeemable from time to time at each holder’s option for, at our election, newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of Class A common stock for each LLC Interest so redeemed, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement; provided that, at our election, we may effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may, subject to certain exceptions, exercise such redemption right for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement.” In connection with this offering, we will issue to each Continuing Equity Owner, for nominal consideration, one share of Class B common stock for each common unit of Flowco LLC such Continuing Equity Owner will own, respectively. As a result, the number of shares of Class B common stock listed in the table below correlates to the number of LLC Interests Jonathan B. Fairbanks (including GEC), White Deer and certain other principal stockholders will beneficially own immediately after the Transactions. Although the number of shares of Class A common stock being offered hereby to the public and the total number of LLC Interests outstanding after the offering will remain fixed regardless of the initial public offering price in this offering, the shares of Class B common stock held by the beneficial owners set forth in the table below after the consummation of the Transactions will vary, depending on the initial public offering price in this offering. The table below assumes the shares of Class A common stock are offered at $   per share (the mid-point of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). See “Our Organizational Structure.”

The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder as described in this prospectus is determined under rules issued by the SEC. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by an individual or entity and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, or other rights, including the redemption right described above with respect to each common unit, held by such person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus, are considered outstanding, although these shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The percentage ownership of each individual or entity after giving effect to the Transactions and before this offering is computed on the basis of      shares of our Class A common stock outstanding and      shares of our Class B common stock outstanding. The percentage ownership of each individual or entity after the Transactions is computed on the basis of      shares of our Class A common stock outstanding and      shares of our Class B common stock outstanding. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all listed stockholders is 1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450, Houston, Texas 77056.

 

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Each of the stockholders listed has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder unless noted otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable.

The following table assumes the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.

 

       
     Class A common stock beneficially
owned (after giving effect to the
Transactions)(1)
     Class B common stock beneficially
owned (after giving effect to the
Transactions)(1)
     Combined
common
stock
owned
after this
offering(2)
 
     Before this
offering
     After this
offering
     Before this
offering
     After this
offering
 
      Number      %      Number      %      Number      %      Number      %  

5% Stockholders

 

Jonathan B. Fairbanks(3)

        %           %           %           %     

White Deer Management LLC(4)

        %           %           %           %     

Genesis Park II, LP(5)

            %           %               %           %     

Named Executive Officers and Directors

 

Jonathan W. Byers

        %           %           %           %     

Joseph R. Edwards

        %           %           %           %     

John Gatlin

        %           %           %           %     

Chad Roberts

        %           %           %           %     

Brooks Mims Talton III

        %           %           %           %     

Alexander Chmelev

            %           %               %           %     

Jonathan B. Fairbanks(3)

        %           %           %           %     

Ben A. Guill(4)

        %           %           %           %     

Paul W. Hobby

        %           %           %           %     

Cynthia L. Walker

        %           %           %           %     

William H. White

        %           %           %           %     

All directors, director designees and executive officers as a group (    persons)

        %           %                 %     

 

 

 

*   Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 

(1)   Each common unit is redeemable from time to time at each holder’s option for, at our election newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of Class A common stock for each LLC Interest so redeemed, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement; provided that, at our election, we may effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may, subject to certain exceptions, exercise such redemption right for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement.” In these tables, beneficial ownership of LLC Interests has been reflected as beneficial ownership of shares of our Class A common stock for which such LLC Interests may be exchanged. When an LLC Interest common unit is exchanged by a holder of shares of our Class B common stock for a share of Class A common stock, a corresponding share of Class B common stock will be cancelled.

 

(2)   Represents the percentage of voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock voting as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock entitles the registered holder to one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock entitles the registered holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders for a vote generally, including the election of directors. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote as a single class on all matters except as required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

 

(3)  

Prior to this offering and the Transactions, represents shares currently owned directly by GEC Estis Holdings, LLC and Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. Prior to this offering and in connection with the Transactions, GEC Estis Holdings, LLC and Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. will effect certain liquidating transactions with respect to such entities and their affiliates, including distributions of LLC Interests to certain Blocker Companies. After giving effect to such transactions and the Transactions prior to the closing, the following Blocker Shareholders and affiliates of GEC and its affiliates will directly own Class A common stock: GEC Partners III GI LP; and GEC Partners III-B GI LP; and the following will directly own Class B common stock and LLC Interests: GEC Partners III LP; GEC Capital Group III LP; GEC Partners III-B LP; and GEC Estis Co-Invest II LLC. GEC Capital Group III LP is the general partner of each of GEC Partners III LP and GEC III-GI LP, and GEC Group Ltd. is the general partner of GEC Capital Group III LP. GEC Capital Group III-B LP is the general partner of each of GEC Estis Co-Invest II LLC and GEC Partners II-B

 

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LP, and GEC Group B. Ltd. is the general partner of GEC Capital Group III-B LP. Mr. Fairbanks is the manager and controlling member of GEC, GEC Group Ltd. and GEC Group B. Ltd.

 

(4)   Prior to this offering and the Transactions, represents shares owned directly by Flogistix Holdings, LLC. Prior to this offering and in connection with the Transactions, Flogistix Holdings, LLC will effect certain liquidating transactions with respect to such entity and its affiliates, including distributions of LLC Interests to a Blocker Company. After giving effect to such transactions and the Transactions prior to the closing, the following Blocker Shareholder and affiliates of White Deer and its affiliates will directly own Class A common stock:      (“CF IND”),      (“CF Parallel”) and      (“CF Main”); and the following will directly own Class B common stock and LLC Interests: CF IND and CF Main.      (“CV GP”) is the general partner of each of CF Parallel, CF IND and CF Main. CV GP is controlled by WD Thunder CV Ultimate GP LLC, which is controlled by its board of managers which consists of four members. Mr. Guill is a Managing Partner of White Deer.

 

(5)   Prior to this offering and the Transactions, Genesis Park II, LP is a member of GEC Estis Holdings, LLC; however, such member has no control over the voting or disposition of securities owned by GEC Estis Holdings, LLC and thus no beneficial ownership of such securities. Prior to this offering and in connection with the Transactions, GEC Estis Holdings, LLC has informed Genesis Park II, LP that it intends to effect certain liquidating transactions with respect to such entity and its affiliates, including distributions of LLC Interests to Genesis Park II, LP. After giving effect to such transactions and the Transactions prior to the closing, Genesis Park II, LP has been informed that it will receive and directly own Class B common stock and LLC Interests as set forth in the table. Genesis Park II GP, LLC is the general partner of Genesis Park II, LP. The managers of Genesis Park II GP, LLC are Paul W. Hobby, Peter Shaper and Steven Gibson. The business address of Genesis Park II, LP is 520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 850, Houston, Texas 77027.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt and file an amended and restated certificate of incorporation and we will adopt and file our amended and restated bylaws. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize capital stock consisting of:

 

 

     shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

 

     shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and

 

 

     shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

We are selling      shares of Class A common stock in this offering (     shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock). All shares of our Class A common stock outstanding upon consummation of this offering will be fully paid and non-assessable. We are issuing      shares of Class B common stock to the Continuing Equity Owners in connection with the Transactions for nominal consideration.

The following summary describes the material provisions of our capital stock. We urge you to read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock.

Common Stock

Class A Common Stock

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and on which the holders of the Class A common stock are entitled to vote.

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock.

Upon our dissolution or liquidation, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of shares of our Class A common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution.

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There will be no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class A common stock.

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock will vote together with holders of our Class B common stock, as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except for certain amendments to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation or as otherwise required by applicable

 

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law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that gives holders of the Class B common stock (i) any rights to receive dividends (subject to certain exceptions) or any other kind of distribution, (ii) any right to convert into or be exchanged for shares of Class A common stock, or (iii) any other economic rights (except for payments in cash in lieu of receipt of fractional stock) shall, in addition to the vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of our capital stock required by law, also require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock voting separately as a class.

Class B Common Stock

Each share of our Class B common stock entitles its holders to one vote per share on all matters presented to our stockholders generally.

Shares of Class B common stock will be issued in the future only to the extent necessary to maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Interests held by the Continuing Equity Owners and the number of shares of Class B common stock issued to the Continuing Equity Owners. Shares of Class B common stock are transferable only together with an equal number of LLC Interests. Only permitted transferees of LLC Interests held by the Continuing Equity Owners will be permitted transferees of Class B common stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement.”

Holders of shares of our Class B common stock will vote together with holders of our Class A common stock as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except for certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the terms, number of shares, powers, designations, preferences or relative, participating or other special rights, or to qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon or as otherwise required by applicable law or the amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Except in certain limited circumstances, holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends or to receive a distribution upon dissolution or liquidation. Additionally, holders of shares of our Class B common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There will be no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class B common stock. Upon the redemption or exchange of an LLC Interest (together with a share of Class B common stock) for Class A common stock, the shares of Class B common stock will be automatically transferred to Flowco Holdings Inc. for no consideration and will be canceled and no longer outstanding. Such shares of Class B common stock may not be reissued. Any amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that gives holders of our Class B common stock (i) any rights to receive dividends or any other kind of distribution, (ii) any right to convert into or be exchanged for Class A common stock or (iii) any other economic rights will require, in addition to stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of holders of our Class A common stock voting separately as a class.

Upon the consummation of the Transactions, the Continuing Equity Owners will own, in the aggregate,      shares of our Class B common stock.

Preferred Stock

Upon the consummation of the Transactions and the effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, the total authorized shares of preferred stock will be      shares. Upon the consummation of the Transactions, we will have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

 

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Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, our board of directors is authorized to direct us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the holders of our Class A common stock by restricting dividends on the Class A common stock, diluting the voting power of the Class A common stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the Class A common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of our Class A common stock.

Registration Rights

We intend to enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Continuing Equity Owners in connection with this offering pursuant to which such parties will have specified rights to require us to register all or a portion of their shares under the Securities Act. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Forum Selection

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide (i) (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company under Delaware law, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws (as either may be amended or restated) or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware shall, or (e) any other action asserting an “internal corporate claim,” as defined in the DGCL, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware; and (ii) the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act; provided, however, that the foregoing choice of forum provision shall not apply to claims seeking to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing. By agreeing to this provision, however, stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Dividends

Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The time and amount of dividends will be dependent upon our business prospects, results of operations, financial

 

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condition, cash requirements and availability, debt repayment obligations, capital expenditure needs, contractual restrictions, covenants in the agreements governing our current and future indebtedness, industry trends, the provisions of Delaware law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and any other factors our board of directors may consider relevant. We currently intend to pay a dividend from available funds and future earnings on our Class A common stock. Because we are a holding company, our ability to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock depends on our receipt of cash distributions from Flowco LLC and, through Flowco LLC, cash distributions and dividends from our other direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends may be restricted by the terms of our Credit Agreement and any future credit agreement or any future debt or preferred equity securities of us or our subsidiaries. See “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Indebtedness” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation --Liquidity and Capital Resources.” See “Dividend Policy” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Offering and Ownership of our Class A Common Stock—Because we have no current plans to pay regular cash dividends on our Class A common stock following this offering, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your Class A common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.”

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as they will be in effect immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, will contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they also give our board of directors the power to discourage acquisitions that some stockholders may favor.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and our preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the NYSE rules. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans and, as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement—Agreement in Effect Upon Consummation of the Transactions—Common Unit Redemption Right,” funding of redemptions of LLC Interests. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Classified Board of Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible and each class serving three-year staggered terms. Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, directors designated by GEC and White Deer may only be removed with or without cause by the request of the party entitled to designate such director. In all other cases and at any other time, directors may only be removed from our board of directors for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote. See “Management—Composition of our Board of Directors.” These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers, or changes in control of us or our management.

 

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Special Meetings of Stockholders; Action by Written Consent of Stockholders

Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that only the chairperson of our board of directors or a majority of our board of directors may call special meetings of our stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, at any time when GEC Affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 35% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, our stockholders may take action by consent without a meeting, and at any time when GEC Affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 35% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, our stockholders may not take action by consent without a meeting, but may only take action at a meeting of stockholders. These provisions may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders controlling a majority of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of directors.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

In addition, our amended and restated bylaws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice and duration of ownership requirements and provide us with certain information. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors or by a qualified stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities until the next stockholder meeting.

No Cumulative Voting

The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws

The Delaware General Corporation Law provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock, voting as a single class, will be required to amend certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including provisions relating to amending our amended and restated bylaws, the size of our board, removal of directors, director and officer liability, vacancies on our board, special meetings, stockholder notices, actions by written consent and exclusive forum. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the board of directors may adopt, amend, alter, or repeal our bylaws. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter or repeal our bylaws unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, (a) prior to the time when the GEC Affiliates cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, 35% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at

 

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least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, or (b) from and after the time when the GEC Affiliates cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, 35% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. Upon consummation of the Transactions, our bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes which all our stockholders would be eligible to cast in an election of directors.

Section 203 of the DGCL

We will opt out of Section 203 of the DGCL. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions that are similar to Section 203. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, subject to certain exceptions, we will not be able to engage in a “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for three years following the date that the person became an interested stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the “interested stockholder” and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an “interested stockholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person, but will exclude GEC, White Deer and their affiliates.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that may, in some cases, be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained under Delaware law. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duties as a director.

These provisions may be held not to be enforceable for violations of the federal securities laws of the United States.

Corporate Opportunity Doctrine

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Delaware law, renounce any interest or expectancy that we have in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to GEC, White Deer or any of our directors who are employees of or affiliated with GEC, White Deer or any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, GEC, White Deer or any of our directors who are employees of or affiliated with GEC, White Deer or any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our affiliates will not have any duty to

 

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refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, if GEC, White Deer or any of our directors who are employees of or affiliated with GEC, White Deer or any director or stockholder who is not employed by us or our subsidiaries acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself or himself or its or his affiliates or for us or our affiliates, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and they may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity, unless such opportunity was expressly offered to them solely in their capacity as a director, executive officer or employee of us or our affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, no potential transaction or business opportunity may be deemed to be a corporate opportunity of the corporation or its subsidiaries unless (i) we or our subsidiaries would be permitted to undertake such transaction or opportunity in accordance with the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, (ii) we or our subsidiaries, at such time have sufficient financial resources to undertake such transaction or opportunity, (iii) we have an interest or expectancy in such transaction or opportunity and (iv) such transaction or opportunity would be in the same or similar line of our or our subsidiaries’ business in which we or our subsidiaries are engaged or a line of business that is reasonably related to, or a reasonable extension of, such line of business. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not renounce our interest in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to an employee director or employee in his or her capacity as a director or employee of Flowco Holdings Inc.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders will have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of Flowco Holdings Inc. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation will have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of our shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock is ComputerShare Trust Company.

Trading Symbol and Market

We intend to apply to list our Class A common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “FLOC.” This offering is contingent upon final approval of our listing of Class A common stock on the NYSE.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF INDEBTEDNESS

Credit Agreement

General

On August 20, 2024, we entered into the Credit Agreement, as amended to date, by and among Flowco MasterCo LLC (“Parent Borrower”), Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, certain other direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower party thereto as guarantors, the lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). The Credit Agreement was entered into in connection with a continuation and upsize of the credit facility established by an existing credit agreement with Estis and certain of its subsidiaries as loan parties thereto.

The Credit Agreement currently provides for an aggregate revolving commitment of $725,000,000 (the “Aggregate Revolving Commitment”). The Borrowers have the ability to request the issuance of letters of credit under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $20,000,000. The Borrowers also have the ability to borrow swingline loans under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50,000,000.

The borrowing base under the Credit Agreement is equal to the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable of the Borrowers and each of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower that are subsidiary guarantors (the Borrowers and such subsidiary guarantors, collectively, the “Loan Parties”), plus (ii) 90% of eligible investment grade accounts receivable of the Loan Parties, plus (iii) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of the Loan Parties’ eligible inventory plus (iv) the lesser of (x) 120% of the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible appraised rental compressor fleet and (y) the product of 80% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentage identified in the most recent appraisal multiplied by the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible appraised rental compressor fleet, plus (v) 80% of the lesser of (x) the cost and (y) the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible new rental compressor fleet plus (vi) the lesser of (x) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of the Borrowers’ eligible equipment and (y) not to exceed 10% of the borrowing base, less (vii) reserves established by the administrative agent in its permitted discretion pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. Our ability to borrow loans or obtain letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is subject to there being sufficient availability under the Credit Agreement, which is calculated as (i) the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment under the Credit Agreement and (b) the borrowing base at such time, minus (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all loans and the aggregate outstanding amount of all letters of credit under the Credit Agreement at such time.

Interest Rates and Fees

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, at the option of the Borrowers, either based on an alternate base rate (“ABR”) or a term SOFR rate. Loans comprising each ABR borrowing under the Credit Agreement accrue interest at the ABR plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Loans comprising each SOFR rate borrowing accrue interest at a Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, depending on the Total Leverage Ratio.

In addition to paying interest on the principal amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers are required to pay a commitment fee of (a) 0.375% per annum if the average daily Aggregate Revolving Exposure (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the applicable quarter is greater than or equal to 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (b) 0.50% per annum if the average daily Aggregate Revolving Exposure for the applicable quarter is less than 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, on the average daily

 

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amount of the unused commitment of the applicable Lender. The Borrowers are also subject to customary letter of credit and agency fees.

Mandatory Prepayments

The Credit Agreement requires that the Borrowers, in the event that the sum of the aggregate loans outstanding and the letter of credit obligations outstanding exceeds the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the borrowing base then in effect, prepay the loans under the Credit Agreement and cash collateralize any outstanding letter of credit obligations in an amount equal to such excess.

The Credit Agreement also requires that the Borrowers, in the event that any net proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any subsidiary as a result of (i) certain asset dispositions, (ii) certain casualty/condemnation events, (iii) the issuance of any equity during a cash dominion period and (iv) the incurrence of non-permitted indebtedness, to prepay the loans under the Credit Agreement and cash collateralize any outstanding letter of credit obligations in an amount equal to 100% of such net proceeds, subject to certain reinvestment rights.

Final Maturity

The credit facility provided in the Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of August 20, 2029.

Guarantees and Security

The Borrowers’ obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Borrowers’ subsidiaries (including any future material domestic subsidiaries). All obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers, including a pledge of all of the equity interests of their respective material domestic subsidiaries, as well as future material domestic subsidiaries.

Covenants and Other Matters

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Borrowers’ and their subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

 

incur indebtedness;

 

 

incur certain liens;

 

 

consolidate, merge or sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

 

 

make investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions;

 

 

pay dividends or make other distributions on equity interests, or redeem, repurchase or retire equity interests;

 

 

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

 

alter the business conducted by us and our subsidiaries;

 

 

change their fiscal year; and

 

 

amend or modify governing documents.

 

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In addition, the Credit Agreement contains financial covenants with respect to minimum interest coverage ratio and maximum total leverage ratio, as detailed below.

 

 

The Borrowers will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be less than 2.50 to 1.00; and

 

 

The Borrowers will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

The Borrowers are in compliance with all covenants as of August 28, 2024.

The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary representations and warranties and affirmative covenants, and certain reporting obligations. In addition, the lenders under the Credit Agreement will be permitted to accelerate all outstanding borrowings and other obligations, terminate outstanding commitments and exercise other specified remedies upon the occurrence of certain events of default (subject to certain grace periods and exceptions), which include, among other things, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, certain cross-defaults and cross-accelerations to other indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, certain judgments and changes of control.

The foregoing summary describes certain material provisions of the Credit Agreement, but may not contain all information that is important to you. We urge you to read the provisions of the Credit Agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Prior Credit Facilities

Prior Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC Credit Facility

Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC had a Revolving Credit Facility (the “Prior Estis Credit Facility”) with a syndication of financial institutions. On June 20, 2024, Estis amended its credit agreement to, among other things, replace GEC Estis Holdings, LLC with Estis Intermediate as “Holdings” under the credit agreement. Borrowings under the credit agreement are, at the option of the Borrower, either alternate base rate, or ABR, loans or SOFR loans. Loans comprising each ABR borrowing under the credit agreement accrue interest at the ABR plus an applicable rate equal to 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio. Loans comprising each SOFR rate borrowing accrue interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the interest period in effect for such borrowing plus an applicable rate equal to 2.50% to 3.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio. Principal is due at maturity on August 11, 2026. The Prior Estis Credit Facility was subject to certain financial and operational covenants and is collateralized by all the assets of Estis and its subsidiaries. The Prior Estis Credit Facility included a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio requirement that must be greater than 1.10 to 1.00 and a Total Leverage Ratio requirement to be less than 3.75 to 1.00 on a monthly basis. Estis was in compliance with the debt covenants as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Immediately prior to this offering, there was no public market for our Class A common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of Class A common stock in the public market (including shares of Class A common stock issuable upon redemption or exchange of LLC Interests of our Continuing Equity Owners), or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. Although we intend to apply to have our Class A common stock listed on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that there will be an active public market for our Class A common stock.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding an aggregate of      shares of Class A common stock, assuming the issuance of      shares of Class A common stock offered by us in this offering and the issuance of      shares of Class A common stock to the Blocker Shareholders in the Transactions. Of these shares, all shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, whose sales would be subject to the Rule 144 resale restrictions described below, other than the holding period requirement.

The remaining      shares of Class A common stock will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including Rules 144 or 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

In addition, each common unit held by our Continuing Equity Owners will be redeemable, at the election of each Continuing Equity Owner, for, at our election, newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of Class A common stock for LLC Interest so redeemed, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Flowco LLC Agreement; provided that, at our election, we may effect a direct exchange by Flowco Holdings Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may, subject to certain exceptions, exercise such redemption right for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Flowco LLC Agreement.” Upon consummation of the Transactions, our Continuing Equity Owners will hold LLC Interests, all of which will be exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock. The shares of Class A common stock we issue upon such exchanges would be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 unless we register such issuances. However, we will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Original Equity Owners that will require us, subject to customary conditions, to register under the Securities Act these shares of Class A common stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Lock-Up Agreements

We, our director nominees, executive officers, funds affiliated with GEC and White Deer and other stockholders holding an aggregate of approximately     % of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock have agreed not to sell any Class A common stock for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions and extensions. [In addition, we have agreed not to permit any exchanges of LLC Interests into shares of our Class A common stock during such period, subject to certain exceptions.] The lock-up restrictions and specified exceptions are described in more detail under “Underwriting.”

Rule 144

In general, a person who has beneficially owned our Class A common stock that are restricted shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell such securities, provided that: (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale; and (ii) we are

 

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subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned our Class A common stock that are restricted shares for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

 

 

1% of the number of our Class A common stock then outstanding; or

 

 

the average weekly trading volume of our Class A common stock on the during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale; provided, in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Such sales both by affiliates and by non-affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale, current public information and notice provisions of Rule 144 to the extent applicable.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchases shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is entitled to sell such shares 90 days after such effective date in reliance on Rule 144. Our affiliates can resell shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the holding period requirement, and non-affiliates of the issuer can resell shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the current public information and holding period requirements.

Equity Plans

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 to register the issuance of an aggregate of      shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our Incentive Plan. Such registration statement will become effective upon filing with the SEC, and shares of our Class A common stock covered by such registration statement will be eligible for resale in the public market immediately after the effective date of such registration statement, subject to the lock-up agreements described in this prospectus.

Registration Rights

See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our Class A common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local, or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the IRS, in each case, in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. We cannot assure that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our Class A common stock.

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that hold our Class A common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

 

U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

 

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

 

persons holding our Class A common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, or other risk-reduction strategy, or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

 

 

banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

 

 

brokers, dealers, or traders in securities;

 

 

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

 

partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

 

 

tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

 

 

persons deemed to sell our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

 

persons who hold or receive our Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

 

 

persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our Class A common stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement;

 

 

tax-qualified retirement plans; and

 

 

“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code, and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

 

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If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our Class A common stock, the tax treatment of an owner in such an entity will depend on the status of the owner, the activities of such entity, and certain determinations made at the owner level. Accordingly, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes holding our Class A common stock and the owners in such entities should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Definition of a Non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that is neither a “U.S. person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

 

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

 

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

 

a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (ii) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy,” we currently intend to pay a dividend from available funds and future earnings on our Class A common stock. Such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder

 

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maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

A Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock unless:

 

 

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

 

 

the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

 

our Class A common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”) by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-U.S. real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our Class A common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our Class A common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends on our Class A common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a U.S. person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions on our Class A common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether such distributions constitute dividends or whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting, if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a U.S. person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our Class A common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code, such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our Class A common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to

non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our Class A common stock. However, under proposed Treasury Regulations (on which taxpayers may rely until final Treasury Regulations are issued), withholding under FATCA will not apply to the gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of our Class A common stock. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our Class A common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of Class A common stock described in this prospectus. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. are acting as the representatives of the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of shares of Class A common stock indicated in the following table:

 

   
Name   

Number of

Shares

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Jefferies LLC

  

Piper Sandler & Co.

          

Evercore Group L.L.C.

  

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

  

Fearnley Securities AS

  

Fearnley Securities, Inc.

  

Pareto Securities AS

  

PEP Advisory LLC

  

Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  

 

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the shares of Class A common stock offered by us if they purchase any shares of Class A common stock. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

Fearnley Securities AS and Pareto Securities AS are not US registered broker-dealers and may not make sales of any financial instruments in the United States or to US persons except in compliance with applicable US laws and regulations. To the extent that Fearnley Securities AS or Pareto Securities AS intend to effect sales of financial instruments in the United States, they will do so only through their respective US registered broker-dealers, Fearnley Securities, Inc. or Pareto Securities Inc., or otherwise as permitted by applicable US law. The activities of Fearnley Securities AS and Pareto Securities AS in the United States will be effected only to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 under the Exchange Act.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of Class A common stock directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain securities dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $   per share of Class A common stock. Any such securities dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $   per share of Class A common stock from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of Class A common stock to the public, if any shares of the Class A common stock are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares of Class A common stock by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. Sales of any shares of Class A common stock made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to      additional shares of Class A common stock from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option to purchase additional

 

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shares of Class A common stock. If any shares of Class A common stock are purchased with this option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of Class A common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares of Class A common stock on the same terms as those on which the shares of Class A common stock are being offered.

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of Class A common stock less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per share of common stock. The underwriting fee is $   per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock.

 

     
     

Without

option to

purchase

additional shares

exercise

    

With full

option to

purchase

additional shares

exercise

 

Per Share

   $           $       

Total

   $        $    

 

 

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $  . We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount up to $  .

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares of Class A common stock to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We have agreed that we will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or submit to, or file with, the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, loan, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any shares of common stock or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.

The restrictions on our actions, as described above, do not apply to certain transactions, including (i) the issuance of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs, or other equity awards and

 

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the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to our employees, officers, directors, advisors, or consultants pursuant to the terms of any equity compensation plan in effect as of the closing of this offering and described in this prospectus; (iii) the issuance of up to  % of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, our common stock, immediately following the closing of this offering, in acquisitions or other similar strategic transactions, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters; or (iv) our filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction; (v) the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for shares of our common stock in connection with the Transactions; or (vi) the issuance of shares of our common stock upon the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests and Class B common stock for shares of our Class A common stock in accordance with the Flowco LLC Agreement.

Our director nominees, executive officers, funds affiliated with GEC and White Deer and other stockholders holding an aggregate of approximately  % of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock (such persons, the “lock-up parties”) have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with limited exceptions, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus (such period, the “restricted period”), may not (and may not cause any of their direct or indirect affiliates to), without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such lock-up parties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant (collectively with the common stock, the “lock-up securities”)), (ii) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the lock-up securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise, (iii) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any lock-up securities, or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing. Such persons or entities have further acknowledged that these undertakings preclude them from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (by any person or entity, whether or not a signatory to such agreement) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any lock-up securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and the lock-up parties do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including (a) transfers of lock-up securities: (i) as bona fide gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes, (ii) by will or intestacy, (iii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or any immediate family member, (iv) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the lock-up party and its immediate family members are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests, (v) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (iv), (vi) in the case of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability

 

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company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate of the lock-up party, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the lock-up party or its affiliates or (B) as part of a distribution to members or stockholders of the lock-up party; (vii) by operation of law, (viii) to us from an employee upon death, disability or termination of employment of such employee, (ix) as part of a sale of lock-up securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering, (x) to us in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of RSUs, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of our common stock (including “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments, or (xi) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction approved by our board of directors and made to all stockholders involving a change in control, provided that if such transaction is not completed, all such lock-up

securities would remain subject to the restrictions in the immediately preceding paragraph; (b) exercise of the options, settlement of RSUs or other equity awards, or the exercise of warrants granted pursuant to plans described in this prospectus, provided that any lock-up securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement would be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; (c) the conversion or exchange of outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock, or convertible securities into shares of our common stock or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock (including the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests and Class B common stock for shares of our Class A common stock in accordance with the Flowco LLC Agreement), provided that any common stock or warrant received upon such conversion would be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; (d) the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for shares of our common stock in connection with the Transactions; and (e) the establishment by lock-up parties of trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of lock-up securities during the restricted.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. in their sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

We intend to apply to list our Class A common stock on the under the symbol “FLOC.”

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of Class A common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Class A common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of Class A common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of Class A common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of Class A common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares of Class A common stock in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares of Class A common stock available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares of Class A common stock through the option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Class A common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares of Class A common stock in the open market to cover the position.

 

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The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Class A common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase Class A common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares of Class A common stock as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the Class A common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Class A common stock, and, as a result, the price of the Class A common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters. In determining the initial public offering price, we and the representatives of the underwriters expect to consider a number of factors including:

 

 

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representatives;

 

 

our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 

 

an assessment of our management;

 

 

our prospects for future earnings;

 

 

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

 

 

the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and

 

 

other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our shares of Class A common stock, or that the shares of Class A common stock will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

 

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Reserved Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 5% of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus for sale to some of our directors, officers and employees through a reserved share program, or Reserved Share Program. If these persons purchase reserved shares, it

will reduce the number of shares of Class A common stock available for sale to the general public. Any reserved shares of Class A common stock that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus.

Notice to prospective investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)   to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)   to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

 

  (c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation;

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation, and each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and the Company that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Notice to prospective investors in the United Kingdom

No shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the shares may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

  (a)   to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

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  (b)   to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of underwriters for any such offer; or

 

  (c)   in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”);

provided that no such offer of the shares shall require the Company or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the shares in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the FSMA. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.

Notice to prospective investors in Canada

The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to prospective investors in Switzerland

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to the public or a solicitation to purchase or invest in any shares. No shares have been offered or will be offered to the public in Switzerland, except that offers of shares may be

 

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made to the public in Switzerland at any time under the following exemptions under the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”):

 

  (a)   to any person which is a professional client as defined under the FinSA;

 

  (b)   to fewer than 500 persons (other than professional clients as defined under the FinSA), subject to obtaining the prior consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC Piper, Sandler & Co., Evercore Group L.L.C., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Fearnley Securities AS, Fearnley Securities, Inc., Pareto Securities AS, PEP Advisory LLC and Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, LLC for any such offer; or

 

  (c)   in any other circumstances falling within Article 36 FinSA in connection with Article 44 of the Swiss Financial Services Ordinance;

provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Company or any investment bank to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 35 FinSA.

The shares have not been and will not be listed or admitted to trading on a trading venue in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Notice to prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”)

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Law, DIFC Law No. 1 of 2012, as amended. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Law, DIFC Law No. 1 of 2012, as amended. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this document. The securities to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

In relation to its use in the DIFC, this document is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

Notice to prospective investors in the United Arab Emirates

The shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the DIFC) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the DIFC) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the DIFC) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) or DFSA.

Notice to prospective investors in Australia

This prospectus:

 

 

does not constitute a disclosure document or a prospectus under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Corporations Act”);

 

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has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), as a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act; and

 

 

may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors, available under section 708 of the Corporations Act (“Exempt Investors”).

The shares may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the shares may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any shares may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the shares, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor.

As any offer of shares under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the shares, you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the shares, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those shares to investors in Australia, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.

Notice to prospective investors in Japan

The shares have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the shares nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Notice to prospective investors in Hong Kong

The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the laws of Hong Kong)) (the “CO”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

 

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Notice to prospective investors in Singapore

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC, Piper Sandler & Co., Evercore Group L.L.C., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Fearnley Securities AS, Fearnley Securities, Inc., Pareto Securities AS, PEP Advisory LLC and Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, LLC have acknowledged that this prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC, Piper Sandler & Co., Evercore Group L.L.C., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Fearnley Securities AS, Fearnley Securities, Inc., Pareto Securities AS, PEP Advisory LLC and Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, LLC have represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any shares or caused the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any shares or cause the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:

 

  (a)   to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

 

  (b)   to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or

 

  (c)   otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (i)   a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (ii)   a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(c)(ii) of the SFA;

(ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(iii) where the transfer is by operation of law;

(iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(v) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), unless otherwise specified before an offer of shares, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of Class A common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP, Houston, Texas. Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas, has acted as counsel for the underwriters in connection with certain legal matters related to this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Flowco MergeCo LLC as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statement of Flowco Holdings Inc. as of November 30, 2024 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Flogistix, LP included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. For further information about us and the Class A common stock offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at www.flowco-inc.com, through which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

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GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS

 

Basin    A large depression on the earth’s surface in which sediments accumulate and may be a source of oil and natural gas
Bbl    Barrel
Bbl/d    Barrels per day
Completion    The process of preparing a drilled well for the production of oil or natural gas
Condensate    Low-density, very low-viscosity, liquid hydrocarbons that typically occur along with natural gas, whose density or gravity is less than crude oil. Condensates are the liquid form of vaporized hydrocarbons, and are a form of natural gas liquids (NGLs). They are named “condensates” from the process of removing them from the gas stream by processing with specific temperature and pressure.
E&P    Exploration and production
ESP    Electric submersible pump
GAPL    Gas-assisted plunger lift
GHG    Greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide
GOR    Gas-to-oil ratios
HPGL    High pressure gas lift
Hydraulic fracturing    A stimulation treatment routinely performed on oil and natural gas wells in low-permeability reservoirs
NGLs    Natural gas liquids
OECD    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Pad    Location where well operators perform drilling operations. A pad may include a location with multiple wells.
PAGL    Plunger-assisted gas lift
PCP    Progressing cavity pump
Reservoir    A subsurface body of rock having sufficient permeability to store and transmit fluids
Sentry    A closed system used to capture fugitive emissions at numerous points on compressors
Unconventional resource or reservoir    A term for oil and natural gas, or oil and natural gas reservoir, that is produced from lower permeability reservoirs by unconventional means, such as horizontal drilling and multistage fracturing
Vault    A closed loop system used to capture methane otherwise vented to the atmosphere during compressor shutdowns and then return this captured methane to the compressor upon restarting
VRU    Vapor recovery unit
Well; wellbore    The hole drilled by the bit that is equipped for oil or natural gas production on a completed well. Alternatively called a well, wellbore or borehole.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Flowco Holdings Inc.

  

Financial Statement

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-1  

Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2024

     F-2  

Notes to Balance Sheet

     F-3  

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-4  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2022

     F-6  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-7  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2023

     F-8  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-9  

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

  

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

     F-29  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

     F-30  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

     F-31  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

     F-32  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-33  

Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Auditors

     F-61  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-63  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2022

     F-64  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-65  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2022

     F-66  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-67  

Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December  31, 2023

     F-83  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-84  

 

F-i


Table of Contents
     Page  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-85  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-86  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-87  

Flogistix, LP

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

     F-93  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-95  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2022

     F-96  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

     F-97  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2023 and 2022

     F-98  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-99  

Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December  31, 2023

     F-118  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-119  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-120  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

     F-121  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-122  

 

F-ii


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of Flowco Holdings Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statement – Balance Sheet

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Flowco Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) as of November 30, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statement”). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of November 30, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

The financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of this financial statement in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

December 6, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024.

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Flowco Holdings Inc.

Balance Sheet

 

   
     As of November 30,  
      2024  

Assets

  

Total assets

   $  

Liabilities and stockholder’s equity

  

Total liabilities

   $     —  

Stockholder’s Equity:

  

Contribution receivable

   $ (10

Class A Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 1,000 authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

   $ 10  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Notes to the Balance Sheet

1. Organization

Flowco Holdings Inc. (the Corporation) was formed as a Delaware corporation on July 25, 2024. The Corporation was formed for the purpose of completing a public offering and related transactions in order to carry on the business of Flowco MergeCo LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”). The Corporation will be the managing member of the Company and will operate and control all of the businesses and affairs of the Company and, through the Company, continue to conduct the business now conducted by the Company. The Company received approvals to issue share capital on July 29, 2024. The Corporation did not have any activity outside of the formation and share issuance as of November 30, 2024.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The balance sheet has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Separate statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholder’s equity, and cash flows have not been presented in the financial statement because there have been no activities in this entity.

3. Stockholder’s Equity

The Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share. On July 29, 2024, 1,000 shares of common stock were issued for future cash consideration of $10 which was not received as of the date of formation. The purchase of the shares was not cash funded, therefore there is a $10 contra-equity receivable on the balance sheet.

4. Subsequent Events

We evaluated subsequent events through December 6, 2024 which is the date the financial statement was available to be issued.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Unit holders of Flowco MergeCo LLC

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Flowco MergeCo LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in member’s equity and of cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

August 30, 2024, except for the inclusion of the Lessor Accounting disclosure in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is October 11, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    2023      2022  

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $      $  

Accounts receivable—trade, net

     44,399        27,823  

Inventory

     31,336        27,213  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,837        1,542  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     78,572        56,578  

Right-of-use assets

     7,815        3,138  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     292,223        290,917  

Intangible Assets, net

     11,254        13,354  

Goodwill

     2,224        2,224  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 392,088      $ 366,211  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities and Member’s Equity

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable—trade

   $ 6,351      $ 6,866  

Accrued expenses

     8,906        8,101  

Current portion of lease liabilities

     2,377        1,744  
  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     17,634        16,711  
  

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

     

Lease liabilities, net of current portion

     5,438        1,394  

Long-term debt

     235,265        220,029  
  

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     240,703        221,423  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     258,337        238,134  
  

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

     

Member’s equity

     

Common Units, no par value and 1,000 authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

             

Additional paid-in capital

     36,479        88,894  

Accumulated earnings

     97,272        39,183  
  

 

 

 

Total member’s equity

     133,751        128,077  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and member’s equity

   $ 392,088      $ 366,211  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)    2023     2022  

Revenues

    

Rentals

   $ 168,801     $ 120,237  

Sales

     74,522       28,372  
  

 

 

 

Total revenues

     243,323       148,609  
  

 

 

 

Operating expenses

    

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     42,179       33,214  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     62,599       22,261  

Depreciation and amortization

     43,822       36,206  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,219       14,173  

Loss on sale of equipment, net

     1,170       51  
  

 

 

 

Income from operations

     78,334       42,704  
  

 

 

 

Other expense

    

Interest expense

     (18,956     (9,284

Other expense

     (1,289     (691
  

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (20,245     (9,975
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $  58,089     $  32,729  
  

 

 

 

Earnings per unit

    

Basic and diluted

   $  58,089     $  32,729  

Weighted average number of units outstanding

    

Basic and diluted

     1,000       1,000  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

       
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)                      
     Common Units      Additional
Paid-in Capital
    Accumulated
Earnings
     Member’s
Equity
 
      Units      Amount  

Balance, December 23, 2021

     1,000      $      $ 125,401     $ 6,454      $ 131,855  

Distribution to Members

                   (37,000        (37,000

Net income

                         32,729        32,729  

Share based compensation

                   493              493  
  

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

     1,000               88,894       39,183        128,077  
  

 

 

 

Distribution to Members

                   (52,500            (52,500

Net income

                         58,089        58,089  

Share based compensation

                   85              85  
  

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2023

     1,000      $      $ 36,479     $ 97,272      $ 133,751  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    2023     2022  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 58,089     $ 32,729  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     43,822       36,206  

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     2,510       335  

Amortization of operating right-of-use assets

     508       219  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     400       400  

Loss on sale of equipment, net

     1,170       51  

Share based compensation

     85       493  

Allowance for (recovery of) credit losses

     310       509  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable - trade, net

     (16,886     (13,779

Inventory

     (6,633     9,274  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,295     (171

Operating lease liabilities

     (508     (219

Accounts payable - trade

     (515     (2,411

Accrued expenses

     805       2,928  
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     81,862       66,564  
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (43,514     (106,961

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     841       31  
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (42,673     (106,930
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Payments on long-term debt

     (173,525     (107,789

Proceeds from long-term debt

     188,361       188,118  

Payments on finance lease obligations

     (1,525     (1,748

Payment of debt issuance costs

           (1,215

Distribution to member

     (52,500     (37,000
  

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (39,189     40,366  
  

 

 

 

Net change in cash

            

Cash

    

Beginning of year

            
  

 

 

 

End of year

   $     $  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

    

Cash paid during the year for

    

Interest expense

   $ 18,899     $ 8,668  

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating right-of-use assets

     4,524       2,434  

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining finance right-of-use assets

     2,186       234  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

1. Nature of Operations and Organization

Estis Compression, LLC (“Estis”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, McClung Energy Services LLC (“McClung”), is a full-service gas compression equipment and service provider. Estis offers equipment sales, rentals, installation, maintenance and repair of natural gas compressors.

On June 20, 2024, Flowco MergeCo LLC (the “Company”) entered into a Contribution Agreement with GEC Estis Holdings LLC (parent company of Estis) (“Estis Member”), Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“Flowco”) and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Member”)(parent company of Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”)) (Estis Member, Flowco and Flogistix Member collectively, the “Members”), pursuant to which, the Members contributed 100% of the direct equity interests of Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Estis Intermediate”), Flowco Productions LLC (“Flowco Productions”) and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Intermediate”) to the Company in exchange for Series A Units of the Company proportionate to the value of the contributed entities. In connection with the transaction, (i) Estis Member contributed substantially all of its net assets (including membership interests in Estis Compression LLC (“Estis”)) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Estis Intermediate to the Company, (ii) Flowco also contributed substantially all of its net assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to the Company, and (iii) Flogistix Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix) to Flogistix Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flogistix Intermediate to the Company.

The purpose of the Company is to directly, or indirectly through subsidiaries or joint ventures, carry on the business activities of each of the contributed entities, including production optimization and related oilfield services business lines.

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, Estis will be the accounting acquirer and Flowco and Flogistix will be acquirees. Additionally, Estis has been identified as the predecessor and as such, these financial statements reflect the name change to Flowco MergeCo LLC as the transaction has already been consummated, however the equity structure in place reflects that of Estis through December 31, 2023.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany balances and transactions, including profits recognized by McClung on sales of equipment to Estis, have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income within its consolidated financial statements, and, therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements include but are not limited to the following: revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, inventory reserve, impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-life assets, share-based compensation, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, and estimation of contingencies. Management believes these estimates and assumptions provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information

The Company determined its operating segments in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”).

Segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to allocate resources and assess performance. The CODM reviews income from operations as the measure of segment profit or loss, which is presented on a business unit level for the purposes of allocating resources and evaluating operating and financial performance. Accordingly, the Company operates and manages its business units in the following two operating and reporting segments:

 

 

Production Solutions: rental services.

 

Natural Gas Technologies: service gas compression parts and equipment sales.

Concentrations of Business Relationships

Substantially all of the Company’s business is in east Texas, west Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Appalachia and could therefore be materially affected by economic fluctuations in these geographic areas as well as activities in the oil and gas industry.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade receivables. Cash is maintained with financial institutions in the United States. Deposits may exceed the amount of federal deposit insurance provided on such deposits; however, these deposits typically may be redeemed upon demand and therefore bear minimal risk. In monitoring this credit risk, the Company periodically evaluates the stability of the financial institutions.

One customer in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for approximately 39% of trade receivables as of December 31, 2023, and two customers accounted for approximately 24% of trade receivables as of

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

December 31, 2022. One customer in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for approximately 17% and 10% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Significant Vendors

Two vendors in the Natural Gas Technologies segment represented 32% and 22% of purchased inventory for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In management’s opinion, alternatives to these vendors are available.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all cash in the bank and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no restricted cash. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $0 million of cash and cash equivalents as any excess in cash was transferred to pay down the Revolving Credit Facility, which is then drawn for any cash on an as needed basis.

Accounts Receivables

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The Company’s accounts receivable are due from customers to whom we have rented or sold compression equipment. The Company bills its customers in accordance with contractual agreements. Generally, no collateral or other security is required to support a customer’s receivables.

The trade accounts receivable is recorded net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based upon the amount of losses expected to be incurred in the collection of these accounts pursuant to the guidance outlined in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13, Topic 326, or ASC 326), which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2023 as further discussed in the “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” section of this Note. The estimated losses are calculated using the loss rate method based upon a review of outstanding receivables, including specific accounts, related aging, and on historical collection experience based on the invoice due date. These allowances reflect our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience and, as applicable, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. Our estimate could require a change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the circumstances of individual customers. In addition, specific accounts are written off against the allowance when management determines the account is uncollectible.

The balance of allowance for credit losses amounted to $1,259 and $949 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is believed to be adequate to cover expected amounts to be written off in future periods.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

The following table summarizes the change in the accounts receivables allowance for credit losses:

 

   
     December 31,  
      2023     2022  

Beginning balance

   $ 949     $ 440  

Reversal of allowance for credit losses

     (72     (757

Allowance for credit losses

     382       1,266  
  

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 1,259     $ 949  

 

 

Inventory

Inventory is composed of components, parts and materials used in the fabrication, repair and maintenance of natural gas compressors. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Production Solutions inventory is measured using the first in, first out (FIFO) costing method. Natural Gas Technologies inventory is measured using the average costing method, which is based on historical purchases at an individual item level. The cost of fabrication of compressor packages, including labor and shop overhead, is charged to cost of sales during the period in which revenue from sale of such equipment is recognized.

We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record provisions for excess or obsolete inventory based primarily on historical usage, estimated product demand and technological developments.

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, principally using the straight-line method.

Expenditures for additions, major renewals, and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred. The estimated useful lives of major asset categories are as follows:

 

Compressor equipment

     10 years  

Buildings

     40 years  

Furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment

     3–10 years  

Vehicles

     5 years  

When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the applicable accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying values of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever current events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present, the Company analyzes the projected undiscounted cash flows associated

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

with property, plant and equipment to determine the fair value of these assets. If the assets are determined to be impaired, a loss is recorded in the amount that the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair value.

Leases

Effective December 31, 2021, the Company adopted the guidance in ASC 842, Leases. It results in almost all leases being recognized on the balance sheet, as the distinction between operating and finance leases is removed. Under the new standard, a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to make lease payments are recognized.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the arrangement and classifies it as an operating lease or finance lease. ROU assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payment made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received. The lease liability is based on the present value of unpaid lease payments over the lease term, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components. To the extent applicable, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices. However, for leases of real property for which the Company is a lessee, it has elected not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead accounts for these as a single lease component.

The two components of operating lease expense, amortization and interest, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a single expense element within depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of operations. For finance leases, interest on the accrued lease liability is recognized in interest expense, and amortization of ROU assets are recognized on the consolidated statements of operations within depreciation and amortization.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or one level below that operating segment (the component level) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the Company’s reporting units that are expected to benefit from the combination. The Company evaluates changes in its reporting structure to assess whether that change impacts the composition of one or more of its reporting units. If the composition of the Company’s reporting units’ changes, goodwill is reassigned between reporting units using the relative fair value allocation approach.

The Company performs its annual impairment test of goodwill at December 31. In addition, the Company performs impairment tests during any reporting period in which events or changes in circumstances indicate

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

that impairment may have occurred. In assessing the fair value of the reporting units, the Company considers the market approach, the income approach, or a combination of both. Under the market approach, the fair value of the reporting unit is based on quoted market prices of companies comparable to the reporting unit being valued. Under the income approach, the fair value of the reporting unit is based on the present value of estimated cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of significant management assumptions, including estimated future revenue growth rates, gross margin on sales, operating margins, capital expenditures, tax rates and discount rates.

If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the calculated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, the Company considers the income tax effect from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit, if applicable, when measuring the goodwill impairment charge.

The Company did not record an impairment to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Subsequent expenditures for intangible assets are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which they relate. Amortization is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets. The Company has customer relationships, developed technology and trade name assets which are amortized using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives of 10 years.

The Company reviews intangible assets subject to amortization at the relevant asset group level for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying value exceeds its fair value in accordance with ASC 360.

Amortization of intangible assets is included in other depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of operations. There was no impairment of intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are derived from multiple sources. The following are descriptions of its principal revenue generating activities.

Rental Revenue

Rental revenue is earned from the lease of rental production equipment, consisting principally of compressors. These rental contracts are accounted for as operating leases under the authoritative guidance for leases (“ASC 842”) and rental revenue is recognized as income is earned over the term of the rental agreement.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Our rental contract terms range from one month to 36 months and are typically billed at a fixed monthly rate while the equipment is in use by the customer. Payment for rentals is typically collected within 45-90 days. Monthly agreements are generally cancellable with 30-day notice by the customer.

Upon lease commencement, the Company evaluates the rental agreements to determine if they meet the criteria set forth in ASC 842 for classification as sales-type leases or direct financing leases; if a rental agreement meets none of these criteria, the Company classifies it as an operating lease. Based on the assessment of the lease classification criteria, all rental agreements have been classified as operating leases. As such, the underlying assets remain on our balance sheet within property, plant, and equipment and are depreciated consistently with other owned assets. Rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the rental and is included in rental revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company’s rental agreements generally include lease and non-lease components where the timing and pattern of transfer are the same. Non-lease components related to our lease arrangements, such as installation, monitoring and field service support are performed with the same timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component. Because the pattern of recognition of the non-lease components is the same as that of the lease component, the Company has elected the practical expedient, in accordance with ASC 842, to combine all lease and non-lease components as a single component. The Company has determined that the rental of equipment is the predominant component of the rental agreement and therefore has accounted for these transactions entirely in accordance with ASC 842.

Sales Revenue

The Company accounts for sales revenue in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), and all subsequent amendments issued thereafter. Sales revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The principles in ASC 606 are applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. ASC 606 also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

Sales revenue is measured as the amount of fixed consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring products to our customers. Our contracts with customers typically contain a single performance obligation to provide agreed-upon products. We do not assess whether promised goods are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer. Sales revenue is recognized when our performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time, at the amount we expect to be entitled when control of the products is transferred to our customers. For sales of equipment based on firm purchase orders or sales contracts, sales revenue is recognized when fabrication of the equipment is completed, it is segregated and ready for customer pickup and the customer has been notified. The completion notification includes the invoice for the sale, which represents a right to payment from the customer. At that point, risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the customer per the terms of the contract. Product delivery, including shipping and

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

handling costs associated with outbound freight, is the responsibility of the customer. While the customer is arranging transportation of the equipment, it remains in the Company’s physical possession with a unique customer identification number in a separate location. The Company does not have the contractual right to direct the use of the product or direct it to another customer. The length of time between the completion notification and equipment pick up typically ranges from 2-14 days.

Payment for sales revenue is typically collected within 20-60 days. Since the period between sale of the product and receipt of payment is not expected to exceed one year, we have elected not to calculate or disclose a financing component for our customer contracts. We do not incur any material costs of obtaining contracts. Sales revenue generally does not include right of return or other significant post-delivery obligations.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $478 and $374 for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Estis Member issued profits interests to certain employees of the Company. The Company accounts for these awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. While the awards are issued by the Estis Member, the costs have been recognized by the Company.

The Company recognized the share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the share-based award at the grant date. The share-based awards are classified as equity and are accounted for as a capital contribution from the Estis Member. The share-based compensation expense is included within selling and general administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company estimates grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes-option-pricing model. The use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. The fair value of the Company’s profit units is based on the Company’s historical financial performance and observable arms-length sales of the Company’s Member’s Equity.

The expected term represents the period that the share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected term using the simplified method as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method deems the term to be the average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the profit units. Since the Company’s shares are not publicly or privately traded, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the date of the grant. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur (Note 9).

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Fair Value

The Company uses valuation approaches that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. A three-tiered hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. This hierarchy requires that the Company use observable market data, when available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value:

Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Income Taxes

The Company is not a tax paying entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus no provision for federal income taxes has been recognized. Income of the Company is taxed to the members of the parent in their respective returns. The Company is subject to Texas state margin tax based on gross profit. Accordingly, a provision and liability for the Texas margin tax has been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company believes that all significant tax positions utilized by the Company will more likely than not be sustained upon examination. As of December 31, 2023, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations are from the year 2017 forward (with limited exceptions). Tax penalties and interest, if any, would be accrued as incurred and would be classified as tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Unit (“EPU”)

Basic EPU is calculated by dividing net income attributable to unitholders by the weighted average number of units of common units outstanding during the period. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive securities that would impact basic EPU.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Accounting standard-setting organizations frequently issue new or revised accounting rules and pronouncements. We regularly review new accounting rules and pronouncements to determine their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The guidance requires organizations to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The accounting standard introduces the current expected credit losses methodology (“CECL”) for estimating allowances for credit losses. The guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current U.S. GAAP and, instead, reflects an organization’s current estimate of all expected credit losses over the contractual term of its financial assets and broadens the information that an entity can consider when measuring credit losses to include forward-looking information. The guidance affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheets credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. We adopted the standard beginning January 1, 2023. The adoption resulted in no adjustments to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

A reserve for bad debts was historically determined based on a general reserve as well as specific identification of accounts reviewed by management and deemed doubtful as to collectability. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) and assesses a reserve for expected credit losses to provide for the estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected. The reserve is based upon an assessment of customer creditworthiness, historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables, collateral to the extent applicable, and reflects the possible impact of current conditions and reasonable forecasts not already reflected in historical loss information.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update require public companies to disclose on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. In addition, the amendment requires that a public entity provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required in interim periods and require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Early adoption is permitted. This amendment is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2023-07 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2024, FASB issued ASU No. 2024-01, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards. ASU 2024-01 provides an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718. ASU 2024-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-01 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

3. Inventory

Inventory consists of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Work in progress

   $ 3,391      $ 2,234  

Components, parts and materials

     27,945        24,979  
  

 

 

 
   $ 31,336      $ 27,213  

 

 

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      2023     2022  

Land

   $ 150     $ 150  

Buildings

     1,935       1,935  

Furniture and fixtures

     2,339       1,270  

Machinery and equipment

     409,212       370,449  

Vehicles

     2,052       1,705  
  

 

 

 
     415,688       375,509  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (123,740     (84,701
  

 

 

 
     291,948       290,808  

Construction in progress

     275       109  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 292,223     $ 290,917  

 

 

The Company’s rental fleet included in machinery and equipment above was $395,300 (approximately $276,100, net of accumulated depreciation) as of December 31, 2023, and was $361,600 (approximately $279,500, net of accumulated depreciation) as of December 31, 2022. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $40,200 and $32,400, respectively.

5. Leases

The Company has operating leases related to office space. The Company has finance leases related to vehicles. The Company’s office space leases have a remaining lease term of 6-111 months as of December 31, 2023, with no extension options. The Company’s vehicle leases have a remaining lease term of 2-36 months as of December 31, 2023, with no extension options.

Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and may contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Company.

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet

The consolidated balance sheets consist of the following amounts relating to operating leases:

 

     
      December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Operating right-of-use assets

     

Real property

   $ 4,424      $ 408  
  

 

 

 
   $ 4,424      $ 408  
  

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

     

Current

   $ 640      $ 245  

Non-current

     3,784        163  
  

 

 

 
   $ 4,424      $ 408  

 

 

The consolidated balance sheets consist of the following amounts relating to finance leases:

 

     
      December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Finance right-of-use assets

     

Vehicles

   $ 3,391      $ 2,730  
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,391      $ 2,730  
  

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities

     

Current

   $ 1,737      $ 1,497  

Non-current

     1,654        1,233  
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,391      $ 2,730  

 

 

Additions to right-of-use assets during the year ended December 31, 2023 were approximately $6,710. Additions to right-of-use assets during the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $5,105. There were no disposals of right-of-use assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the operating and finance lease liabilities on December 31, 2023 was 10.0% and 10.0% respectively. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the operating and finance lease liabilities on December 31, 2022 was 7.25% and 6.8%, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for operating and finance lease on December 31, 2023 was 6.63 years and 2.17 years, respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for operating and finance lease on December 31, 2022 was 1.70 years and 2.12 years, respectively.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated statement of operations

The consolidated statements of operations consist of the following amounts relating to leases:

 

     
      Year Ended
December 31,
2023
     Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 

Amortization of real property operating right-of-use assets (included in general and administrative expenses)

   $ 508      $ 219  

Interest Expense of vehicles finance right-of-use assets (included in depreciation and amortization)

   $ 530      $ 657  

Amortization of vehicles finance right-of-use assets (included in depreciation and amortization)

   $ 995      $ 1,091  

 

 

The total cash outflow for leases for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $2,000.

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum operating lease payments to the operating lease liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2023:

 

2024

   $ 1,027  

2025

     869  

2026

     781  

2027

     806  

2028

     830  

Thereafter

     1,721  
  

 

 

 

Total future minimum operating lease payments

     6,034  

Less: Amount of operating lease payments representing interest

     1,610  
  

 

 

 

Present value of future minimum operating lease payments

     4,424  

Less: Current operating lease liabilities

     640  
  

 

 

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

   $ 3,784  

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum finance lease payments to the finance lease liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2023:

 

2024

   $ 1,929  

2025

     1,239  

2026

     599  

2027

      

2028

      

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 

Total future minimum finance lease payments

     3,767  

Less: Amount of finance lease payments representing interest

     376  
  

 

 

 

Present value of future minimum finance lease payments

     3,391  

Less: Current finance lease liabilities

     1,737  
  

 

 

 

Long-term finance lease liabilities

   $ 1,654  

 

 

Lessor Accounting

This Lessor Accounting disclosure was omitted in error in our original issuance of these consolidated financial statements. We have revised our disclosure to include this required information.

Rental agreements are for the rental of our compressor units to customers. Rental revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $168.8 million and $120.2 million, respectively. Revenue related to these rental agreements is reflected as rental revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

Scheduled future minimum lease payments to be received by the Company as of December 31, 2023 for each of the next five years is as follows:

 

2024

   $ 136,098  

2025

     64,597  

2026

     19,793  

2027

     5,347  

2028

     347  

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 226,182  

 

F-22


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

6. Goodwill and Intangible assets

The following table summarizes the goodwill balance:

 

       
      Goodwill     Accumulated
Impairment Losses
    Net  

Balance as of January 1, 2022

   $ 7,596     $ (5,372   $ 2,224  

Additions to goodwill

                  

Goodwill impairment

                  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 7,596     $ (5,372   $ 2,224  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2023

   $ 7,596     $ (5,372   $ 2,224  

Additions to goodwill

                  

Goodwill impairment

                  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 7,596     $ (5,372   $ 2,224  

 

 

Trade name and other intangible assets, net consist of the following:

 

     
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
      Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
     Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
 

Subject to amortization:

               

Developed Technology

   $ 10,900      $ (4,814   $ 6,086      $ 10,900      $ (3,724   $ 7,176  

Trade name

     5,360        (2,367     2,993        5,360        (1,831     3,529  

Customer Relationships

     4,270        (2,095     2,175        4,270        (1,621     2,649  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,530      $ (9,276   $ 11,254      $ 20,530      $ (7,176   $ 13,354  

 

 

Amortization expense totaled $2,100 for both of the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining useful lives for the developed technology, trade name and customer relationships are 5.1 years, 5.1 years, and 4.1 years, respectively.

Amortization expense is classified in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

 

   
Years Ending December 31,    Amount  

2024

   $ 2,101  

2025

     2,101  

2026

     2,100  

2027

     2,100  

2028

     1,903  

Thereafter

     949  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,254  

 

 

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

7. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      2023     2022  

Revolving credit facility

   $ 236,380     $ 221,544  

Less: Deferred financing costs

     (1,115     (1,515

Current maturities

            
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt, net

   $ 235,265     $ 220,029  

 

 

The Company has a Revolving Credit Facility with a syndication of financial institutions. On August 11, 2022, the Company amended its credit agreement to increase the maximum borrowings to $280,000 and extend the maturity date until August 11, 2026. Variable interest is due monthly at the Commercial Bank Floating Rate (2.75% over SOFR at December 31, 2023) and may be increased an additional 0.75%, depending on leverage ratio criteria stated in the agreement. Principal is due at maturity. The facility is subject to certain financial and operational covenants and is collateralized by all the assets of the Company. The Revolving Credit Facility agreement includes a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio requirement that must be greater than 1.10 to 1.00 and a Total Leverage Ratio requirement to be less than 3.75 to 1.00 on a monthly basis. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, interest expense totaled $18,899 and $8,868, respectively.

Future maturities of debt are due as follows for the years ending December 31:

 

2024

   $  

2025

      

2026

     235,265  

2027

      

2028

      

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 235,265  

 

 

8. Member’s Equity

As provided for in the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2019, (the “Operating Agreement”), the Member holds 100% of the limited liability company interests of the Company and exercises all control through those interests. The Company was capitalized with a deemed non-cash contribution of $100 from the Member. Distributions (including liquidating distributions) are to be made to the Member at a time to be determined by the board of managers. There are no restrictions on distributions. The Member’s equity account will be adjusted for distributions paid to, and additional capital contributions that are made by the Member. All revenues, costs and expenses of the Company are allocated to the Member in accordance with the Operating Agreement.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

9. Earnings Per Unit

Basic EPU is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company’s unitholders by the weighted average number of units of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive securities that would impact the basic EPU.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used for basic and diluted earnings per unit (in thousands, except units and per unit data):

 

     
      2023      2022  

Net income

   $ 58,089      $ 32,729  

Weighted average common units outstanding

     1,000        1,000  
  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per unit

     58,089        32,729  

 

 

10. Share-Based Compensation

On July 19, 2019, the Estis Member implemented a Profit Units Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Estis Member may grant profit units in form of Class B Units to certain of the Company’s employees. The profit units vest over a service period of three years from the date of the grant. Upon the occurrence of a change in control transaction, all Class B Units that have not yet vested will vest in full (subject to certain forfeiture of rights in connection with a failure to perform requested transition services). The Business Combination discussed in Note 1 did not result in a change of control and did not trigger any incremental vesting.

As a change in control transaction was not determined to be probable as of December 31, 2023 or 2022 no additional share-based compensation expense was recognized under this acceleration feature for either of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company is currently contemplating a series of organizational transactions in preparation for an initial public offering. If completed successfully, these organizational transactions will end the Plan governing the profit units and cause any outstanding profit units to vest and all unrecognized expense to be recorded. The Class B Units, whether vested or unvested, are also subject to forfeiture in connection with a termination of employment for cause.

The Company, through its parent company, has the right and not the obligation to repurchase the profit units at fair value in an event of termination of its employees (“call option”). The call option is considered non-mandatorily redeemable and not probable.

Since inception, the Estis Member has granted 950,833 profit units under the Plan. No Class B units from the Company’s parent were granted for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The weighted average grant-date fair value of profit units granted for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $2.29.

Total share-based compensation expense recognized in sales, general and administrative expenses in 2023 and 2022 was $85 and $493, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $46 and $131, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested profit units granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.66 years.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

The following table summarizes the unvested activity of the Company’s profit units during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

       
      Number of units      Weighted average
grant date fair value
     Weighted average
remaining term (years)
 

Unvested Balance at January 1, 2023

     30,000      $        0.03  

Granted

                    

Exercised

                    

Forfeited

                    

Expired

                    

Vested

     24,167        
  

 

 

 

Unvested Balance at December 31, 2023

     5,833      $        0.01  

 

 
       
      Number of units      Weighted average
grant date fair value
     Weighted average
remaining term (years)
 

Unvested Balance at January 1, 2022

     346,944      $        0.52  

Granted

                    

Exercised

                    

Forfeited

                    

Expired

                    

Vested

     316,944        
  

 

 

 

Unvested Balance at December 31, 2022

     30,000      $        0.03  

 

 

11. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing plan covering substantially all employees whereby the Company matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary and an additional 50% of employee contributions for the next 2% of the employee’s salary. The Company’s matching contributions amounted to approximately $420 and $290 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is, and from time to time may be, subject to various claims and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal matters that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has insurance coverage with Federal Insurance Company covering employment practices and other fiduciary liabilities on employees.

13. Fair Value Measurements

The Company has assessed that the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities, approximates their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term nature of these accounts. The Company has also determined the carrying value of the Revolving Term Loan approximates its fair value given its variable rate and indirect indexation to the Company’s credit risk.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

See “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for information regarding the estimated fair value of goodwill.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

14. Segment and geographical information

The Company’s operations are based in the United States. All material revenues of the Company are derived from the United States. All long-lived assets of the Company are located in the United States.

Financial information for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:

 

   
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2023     2022  

Segment Revenue:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 168,801     $ 120,237  

Natural Gas Technologies

     111,280       128,317  
  

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     280,081       248,554  

Eliminations

     (36,758     (99,945
  

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Revenue

   $ 243,323     $ 148,609  
  

 

 

 

Segment Income from Operations:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 71,040     $ 40,978  

Natural Gas Technologies

     7,294       1,726  
  

 

 

 

Total Income from Operations

   $ 78,334     $ 42,704  
  

 

 

 

Segment Depreciation and Amortization:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 42,773       35,274  

Natural Gas Technologies

     1,049       932  
  

 

 

 

Total Depreciation and Amortization:

   $ 43,822     $ 36,206  
  

 

 

 

Segment Capital Expenditures:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 39,035     $ 105,420

Natural Gas Technologies

     1,144       1,465  
  

 

 

 

Total Capital Expenditures

   $ 40,179     $ 106,885  
  

 

 

 

Segment Assets:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 340,198     $ 333,515  

Natural Gas Technologies

     56,276       48,116  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     396,474       381,631  

Eliminations

     (4,386     (15,420
  

 

 

 

Total Consolidated Assets

   $ 392,088     $ 366,211  

 

 

 

F-27


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(in thousands, except for unit and per unit data)

 

Eliminations within the segment revenue disclosure above relate to $36.8 million and $100.0 million of intersegment equipment sales from Natural Gas Technologies to Production Solutions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Segment income from operations above does not include total other expense of $20.2 million and $10.0 million for years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, to reconcile to net income.

15. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through August 30, 2024, the date the consolidated financial statements were originally available to be issued.

Contribution Agreement

As previously discussed in Note 1, on June 20, 2024, Estis Member, Flowco, and Flogistix Member transferred, assigned and contributed to Flowco MergeCo LLC, and Flowco MergeCo LLC accepted and acquired equity interests in the mentioned companies and subsidiaries and related assets.

Credit Agreement

On August 20, 2024, certain wholly owned subsidiaries of Flowco MergeCo LLC, Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, and other loan parties entered into a first lien credit agreement which provides for a $700 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement continues the prior Revolving Credit Facility (as described in footnote 7), and borrowings were used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under then-existing credit agreements with Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate.

Events Subsequent to the Original Issuance of the Financial Statements (Unaudited)

In connection with the reissuance of the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluated subsequent events through October 11, 2024, the date that the consolidated financial statements were available to be reissued.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit data)

 

     
      September 30,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,124      $  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $876 and $1,259, respectively

     110,311        44,399  

Inventory

     169,113        31,336  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,435        2,837  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     308,983        78,572  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     694,624        292,223  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     18,109        4,424  

Finance lease right-of-use assets

     21,535        3,391  

Intangible assets, net

     285,856        11,254  

Goodwill

     267,524        2,224  

Other assets

     9,107         
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,605,738      $ 392,088  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities and members’ equity

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 32,348      $ 6,351  

Accrued expenses

     36,239        8,906  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     6,381        640  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     9,185        1,737  

Deferred revenue

     6,056         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     90,209        17,634  

Long-term liabilities

     

Long-term debt

     575,491        235,265  

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     11,751        3,784  

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     11,990        1,654  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     599,232        240,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     689,441        258,337  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

     

Members’ equity

     

Class A Units, no par value, 10,000,000 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and 5,100,000 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023

             

Additional paid-in capital

     891,616        36,479  

Retained earnings

     24,681        97,272  
  

 

 

 

Total members’ equity

     916,297        133,751  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 1,605,738      $ 392,088  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

   
     Nine Months Ended  
      September 30,
2024
    September 30,
2023
 

Revenues

    

Rentals

   $ 184,982     $ 123,905  

Sales

     164,303       43,956  
  

 

 

 

Total revenues

     349,285       167,861  

Operating expenses

    

Cost of rentals (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     48,956       31,382  

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)

     124,073       36,390  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     36,204       11,688  

Depreciation and amortization

     56,502       32,078  

Loss on sale of equipment

     727       764  
  

 

 

 

Income from operations

     82,823       55,559  

Other expense

    

Interest expenses

     (22,174     (14,671

Loss on debt extinguishment

     (221      

Other expenses

     (1,813     (481
  

 

 

 

Total other expenses

     (24,208     (15,152
  

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     58,615       40,407  

Provision for income taxes

     (702     (379
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 57,913     $ 40,028  
  

 

 

 

Earnings per unit:

    

Basic and diluted

   $ 8.34     $ 7.85  

Weighted average units outstanding:

    

Basic and diluted

     6,941,971       5,100,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit data)

 

         
     Class A Units     

Additional
Paid-in

Capital

    

Retained

Earnings

   

Members’

Equity

 
      Units      Amount  

Balance as of December 31, 2023

     5,100,000      $      $ 36,479      $ 97,272     $ 133,751  

2024 Business Combination Issuance of Units

     4,900,000               854,628              854,628  

Distribution to Members

                          (130,504     (130,504

Net income

                          57,913       57,913  

Share-based compensation

                   509              509  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2024

     10,000,000      $      $ 891,616      $ 24,681     $ 916,297  

 

           
    Common Units     Class A Units    

Additional
Paid-in

Capital

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Members’

Equity

 
     Units     Amount     Units     Amount  

Balance as of December 31, 2022

    1,000     $           $     $ 88,894     $ 39,183     $ 128,077  

Distribution to Members

                            (38,000           (38,000

Reorganization to Flowco MergeCo

    (1,000           5,100,000                          

Net income

                                  40,028       40,028  

Share-based compensation

                            68             68  
 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2023

        $       5,100,000     $     $ 50,962     $ 79,211     $ 130,173  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

   
     Nine Months Ended  
      September 30,
2024
    September 30,
2023
 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 57,913     $ 40,028  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     56,502       32,078  

Amortization of operating right-of-use assets

     2,294       381  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     395       300  

Loss on sale of equipment

     727       764  

Loss on debt extinguishment

     221        

(Gain)/Loss on lease termination

     (353     (309

Share-based compensation

     509       68  

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     1,283       740  

Allowance for credit losses

     (383     232  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (4,426     (3,709

Inventory

     6,212       (10,896

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     518       (1,500

Other assets

     (2,566      

New finance leases & modifications current year

     (389      

Operating lease liabilities

     (2,259     (381

Accounts payable

     (3,265     13  

Accrued expenses

     2,304       3,551  

Deferred revenue

     1,971        
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     117,208       61,360  
  

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (62,087     (38,254

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     160       840  

Payment for capitalized patent costs

     (64      

Net cash acquired in 2024 Business Combination

     3,088        
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (58,903     (37,414
  

 

 

 

Cash flows used in financing activities

    

Principal payments on finance lease obligations

     (3,008     (733

Proceeds on finance lease terminations

     507       309  

Proceeds from long-term debt

     270,758       44,146  

Payments on long-term debt

     (167,510     (26,075

Payment of debt issuance costs

     (5,424      

Distribution to Members

     (130,504     (38,000
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (35,181     (20,353
  

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     23,124       3,593  

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Beginning of period

            
  

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 23,124     $ 3,593  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of investing and financing activities

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 18,788     $ 13,991  

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

    

Noncash debt refinancing of long-term debt with Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 470,584     $    

Issuance of 4.9 million Class A Units in exchange for the net assets acquired in a Business Combination

   $ 854,628     $  

Issuance of 5.1 million Class A Units in exchange for 1,000 Common Units of Estis

   $     $  

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating right-of-use assets

   $ 954     $ 4,553  

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining financing right-of-use assets

   $ 5,624     $ 1,560  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-32


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

Note 1—Nature of Operations and Organization

Flowco MergeCo, LLC and its subsidiaries (“the Company”) is a leading provider of production optimization, artificial lift and methane abatement solutions for the oil and natural gas industry. The Company’s products and services include a full range of equipment and technology solutions that enable real-time remote monitoring and control to maximize efficiencies of its products and services. The Company generates revenues throughout the long producing lives of oil and gas wells. The Company’s core technologies include high pressure gas lift (“HPGL”), conventional gas lift, plunger lift and vapor recovery unit (“VRU”) solutions. As of September 30, 2024, the Company operates a fleet of over 4,300 active systems.

The Company is headquartered in Houston, Texas with major service facilities and operations in Midland, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; and Williston, North Dakota. The Company operates manufacturing and repair facilities in El Reno, Oklahoma; Houston, Fort Worth, Kilgore and Pampa, Texas; and Lafayette, Louisiana.

The Company provides its products and services through two reportable segments: (i) Production Solutions; and (ii) Natural Gas Technologies. Any corporate costs or assets not directly related to these two reportable segments have been categorized in a separate corporate and other category.

Business Combination

On June 20, 2024, the Company entered into a Contribution Agreement with GEC Estis Holdings LLC (parent company of Estis Compression LLC (“Estis”) (“Estis Member”)), Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“Flowco”) and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Member”) (parent company of Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”)) (Estis Member, Flowco and Flogistix Member collectively, the “Members”), pursuant to which, the Members contributed 100% of the direct equity interests of Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Estis Intermediate”), Flowco Productions LLC (“Flowco Productions”) and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Intermediate”) to the Company in exchange for Series A Units of the Company proportionate to the value of the contributed entities (the “2024 Business Combination”). In connection with the transaction, (i) Estis Member contributed substantially all of its net assets (including membership interests in Estis) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Estis Intermediate to the Company, (ii) Flowco also contributed substantially all of its net assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to the Company, and (iii) Flogistix Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix) to Flogistix Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the 2024 Business Combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flogistix Intermediate to the Company.

The 2024 Business Combination was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, and Estis has been identified as the accounting acquirer and Flowco and Flogistix the acquirees. Additionally, Estis has been identified as the predecessor and as such, these financial statements reflect only the Estis historical financial information for any period prior to June 20, 2024. All financial information as of and subsequent to June 20, 2024, reflect that of Estis, Flowco, and Flogistix, as well as changes in the capital structure and operations of the Company. See Note 2 for more information.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Certain information in footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) has been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 or any future period.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of financial position as of September 30, 2024, and results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and cash flows for nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, was derived from the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company, but may not contain all of the footnote disclosures from those annual financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars in accordance with US GAAP and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income within its condensed consolidated financial statements, and, therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with US GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements include but are not limited to the following: revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, inventory reserve, impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-life assets, share-based compensation, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, and estimation of contingencies. Management believes these estimates and assumptions provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Unit (“EPU”)

Basic EPU is calculated by dividing net income attributable to unitholders by the weighted average number of units of common units outstanding during the period. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive securities that would impact basic EPU.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Segment Information

The Company determined its operating segments in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”).

Segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to allocate resources and assess performance. The CODM reviews Adjusted EBITDA as the measure of segment profit or loss, which is presented on a business unit level for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating operating and financial performance. Accordingly, the Company operates and manages its business units in the following two operating and reporting segments:

 

 

Production Solutions: relates to rentals, sales and services related to high pressure gas lift, conventional gas lift and plunger lift; including other digital solutions and methane abatement technologies.

 

 

Natural Gas Technologies: relates to the design and manufacturing for the rental, sales and servicing of vapor recovery and natural gas systems.

Customer Concentration

One customer in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for approximately 12% of trade receivables as of September 30, 2024, and one customer in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for approximately 39% of trade receivables as of December 31, 2023. One customer in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for 15% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and two customers in the Natural Gas Technologies segment accounted for 20% and 16% of total revenue for nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Vendor Concentration

One vendor accounted for 12% of purchases for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Two vendors accounted for 24% and 11% of purchases for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company believes alternatives to these vendors are available.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Cash in the Company’s bank accounts may exceed federally insured limits. Certain subsidiaries of the Company transfer any excess cash to pay down the Revolving Credit Facility, which is then drawn on for cash on an as needed basis. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no restricted cash.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The Company’s accounts receivable are due from customers who it has rented or sold products to. The Company bills its customers in accordance with contractual agreements. Generally, no collateral or other security is required to support a customer’s receivables.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The trade accounts receivable is recorded net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based upon the amount of losses expected to be incurred in the collection of these accounts pursuant to the guidance outlined in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13, Topic 326, or ASC 326). The estimated losses are calculated using the loss rate method based upon a review of outstanding receivables, including specific accounts, related aging, and on historical collection experience based on the invoice due date. These allowances reflect the Company’s estimate of the amount of receivables that will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience and, as applicable, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. The Company’s estimate could require a change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the circumstances of individual customers. In addition, specific accounts are written off against the allowance when management determines the account is uncollectible.

The balance of allowance for credit losses amounted to $876 and $1,259 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The following table summarizes the change in the accounts receivable allowance for credit losses:

 

     
      September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 

Beginning balance

   $ 1,259     $ 949  

Reversal of allowance for credit losses

     (400     (72

Allowance for credit losses

     17       382  
  

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 876     $ 1,259  

The following table provides information about accounts receivable and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

 

     
      Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2024
     Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 110,311      $ 44,399  

Contract liabilities

     6,056         

Contract liabilities represent consideration received or consideration which is unconditionally due from customers prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of the contract and is included within deferred revenue in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 from amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of each period. The Company has recognized revenue of $1,927 from amounts included in contract liabilities from the 2024 Business Combination date within sales in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The Company does not disclose the aggregate transaction price for remaining performance obligations, generally because either the revenue from the satisfaction of the performance obligations is recognized in the amount invoiced or the original expected duration of the contract is one year or less.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Inventory

Inventory is composed principally of artificial lift products and the associated parts and materials necessary to construct these products as well as natural gas compressors to be sold and the associated parts and materials used to construct, repair and maintain these products. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Production Solutions inventory is measured using the first in, first out (FIFO) costing method and average costing method. Natural Gas Technologies inventory is measured using the average costing method, which is based on historical purchases at an individual item level. The cost of fabrication of compressor packages, including labor and shop overhead, is charged to cost of sales during the period in which revenue from sale of such equipment is recognized.

The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records provisions for excess or obsolete inventory based primarily on historical usage, estimated product demand, market conditions and technological developments.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded charges of $1,283 and $740, respectively, to write down slow moving inventory, perform cost adjustments and physical adjustments. These charges are included in cost of sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, principally using the straight-line method. Any property, plant and equipment acquired in connection with a business combination will be recorded at its fair value as of the acquisition date and depreciated over its remaining economic useful life using the straight-line method.

Expenditures for additions, major renewals, and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred. The estimated useful lives of major asset categories are as follows:

 

Buildings

     40 years  

Compressor and related equipment

     10-15 years  

Machinery and equipment

     3-15 years  

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment

     3-7 years  

Software

     3-5 years  

Vehicles

     5 years  

Land

     Unlimited  

Leasehold improvements

     Lesser of useful life or lease term  

When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the applicable accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. For purposes of

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted future net cash flows of assets grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset is deemed impaired. The amount of the impairment is measured as the difference between carrying value and the fair value of the asset. The Company did not record an impairment to its long-lived assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.

Internally Developed Software

Certain direct development costs associated with internally developed software are capitalized. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage for internal software programs are expensed as incurred, whereas costs incurred during the development stage of new software and for upgrades and enhancements for existing software programs that result in additional functionality are capitalized. Subsequent to capitalization, internally developed software is amortized over its estimated useful life through depreciation and amortization on the statement of operations. Impairment charges are taken as a result of circumstances that indicate that the carrying values of the assets are not fully recoverable. The Company recognized internally developed software amortization expense of $810 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Leases

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the arrangement and classifies it as an operating lease or finance lease. A right-of-use (“ROU”) asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to make lease payments are recognized at inception of the lease.

ROU assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payment made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received. The lease liability is based on the present value of unpaid lease payments over the lease term, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components. To the extent applicable, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices. However, for leases of real property for which the Company is a lessee, it has elected not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead accounts for these as a single lease component. As policy election, the Company does not include leases equal to or less than 12 months on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The two components of operating lease expense, amortization and interest, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a single expense element within depreciation and amortization on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For finance leases, interest on the accrued lease liability is recognized in interest expense, and amortization of ROU assets are recognized on the condensed consolidated statements of operations within depreciation and amortization.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or one level below that operating segment (the component level) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the Company’s reporting units that are expected to benefit from the combination. The Company evaluates changes in its reporting structure to assess whether that change impacts the composition of one or more of its reporting units. If the composition of the Company’s reporting units’ changes, goodwill is reassigned between reporting units using the relative fair value allocation approach.

The Company performs its annual impairment test of goodwill at December 31. In addition, the Company performs impairment tests during any reporting period in which events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. In assessing the fair value of the reporting units, the Company considers the market approach, the income approach, or a combination of both. Under the market approach, the fair value of the reporting unit is based on quoted market prices of companies comparable to the reporting unit being valued. Under the income approach, the fair value of the reporting unit is based on the present value of estimated cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of significant management assumptions, including estimated future revenue growth rates, gross margin on sales, operating margins, capital expenditures, tax rates and discount rates.

If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the calculated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, the Company considers the income tax effect from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit, if applicable, when measuring the goodwill impairment charge.

The Company did not record an impairment to goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.

Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Subsequent expenditures for intangible assets are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which they relate. Amortization is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets. The Company has customer relationships, developed technology and trade name assets which are amortized using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives below:

 

Trade Names

     10 years  

Customer Relationships

     7-14 years  

Developed Technology

     10-20 years  

The Company reviews intangible assets subject to amortization at the relevant asset group level for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying value exceeds its fair value in accordance with ASC 360.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Amortization of intangible assets is included in other depreciation and amortization on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. There was no impairment of intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are derived from multiple sources. The following are descriptions of its principal revenue generating activities.

Rental Revenue

Rental revenue is earned from the lease of rental production equipment, consisting principally of compressors. These rental contracts are accounted for as operating leases under the authoritative guidance for leases (“ASC 842”) and rental revenue is recognized as income is earned over the term of the rental agreement.

Our rental contract terms range from month-to-month up to 48 months and are typically billed at a fixed monthly rate while the equipment is in use by the customer. Payment for rentals is typically collected within 15-60 days. Monthly agreements are generally cancellable with 30-day notice by the customer.

Upon lease commencement, the Company evaluates the rental agreements to determine if they meet the criteria set forth in ASC 842 for classification as sales-type leases or direct financing leases; if a rental agreement meets none of these criteria, the Company classifies it as an operating lease. Based on the assessment of the lease classification criteria, all rental agreements have been classified as operating leases. As such, the underlying assets remain on our balance sheet within property, plant, and equipment and are depreciated consistently with other owned assets. Rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the rental and is included in rental revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company’s rental agreements generally include lease and non-lease components where the timing and pattern of transfer are the same. Non-lease components related to our lease arrangements, such as ongoing monitoring and maintenance services are performed with the same timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component. Because the pattern of recognition of the non-lease components is the same as that of the lease component, the Company has elected the practical expedient, in accordance with ASC 842, to combine all lease and non-lease components as a single component. The Company has determined that the rental of equipment is the predominant component of the rental agreement and therefore has accounted for these transactions entirely in accordance with ASC 842.

The Company has included several stipulations within its agreements with customers to protect its assets and mitigate risk of loss during the rental period. The primary method is through Company operation of the units including ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Contracts contain a clause for customer liability should any damage or loss to the units occur during customer oversight or operational control. Many contracts include a requirement for customers to insure a small percentage of the asset or pay a premium if they elect not to insure the asset.

Sales Revenue

The Company accounts for sales revenue in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), and all subsequent amendments issued thereafter. Sales revenue is recognized when a

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

customer obtains control of promised goods and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The principles in ASC 606 are applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. ASC 606 also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

Equipment and compressors

Sales revenue is measured as the amount of fixed consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring products to our customers. Our contracts with customers typically contain a single performance obligation to provide agreed-upon products. We do not assess whether promised goods are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer. Sales revenue is recognized when our performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time, at the amount we expect to be entitled when control of the products is transferred to our customers. For sales of equipment based on firm purchase orders or sales contracts, sales revenue is recognized when fabrication of the equipment is completed, it is segregated and ready for customer pickup and the customer has been notified. The completion notification includes the invoice for the sale, which represents a right to payment from the customer. At that point, risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the customer per the terms of the contract. Product delivery, including shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight, is the responsibility of the customer. While the customer is arranging transportation of the equipment, it remains in the Company’s physical possession with a unique customer identification number in a separate location. The Company does not have the contractual right to direct the use of the product or direct it to another customer. The length of time between the completion notification and equipment pick up typically ranges from 2-14 days.

Payment for sales revenue is typically collected within 15-60 days. Since the period between sale of the product and receipt of payment is not expected to exceed one year, we have elected not to calculate or disclose a financing component for our customer contracts. We do not incur any material costs of obtaining contracts. Sales revenue generally does not include right of return or other significant post-delivery obligations.

Sale of parts and oil & gas products

As it relates to the sale of oil & gas products, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts—the manufacture and sale of the contracted good to the customer. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which occurs point-in-time upon transfer of control of the product upon delivery to the customer. The transaction price (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the standalone sales price of each individual good and is typically settled within 30-45 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company treats shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment activity, and the costs are recognized in cost of sales. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Payment for sales is typically collected within 15-70 days.

The Company performs maintenance and repair services for gas lift systems, plunger lift systems, and plunger assisted gas lift systems as well as services related to downhole fluid recovery, spooling, capillary, downhole

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

tool installation and removal and other related activities. As it relates to oil & gas services, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts—the completion of the contracted service. Revenue from the sale of services is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which occurs point-in-time upon completion of the service, which typically occurs within 1-3 days from the date the services commence. The transaction price for services (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the service contract with the customer) is the standalone price of each service completed and charged to the customer. The transaction price is typically settled within 30-45 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon service transactions and collected by the Company from its customer, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our third party revenue from contracts with customers by reportable segment (see Note 15 – “Segment Information”) and disaggregated by major product and service lines, timing of revenue recognition, and geographical markets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

 

       
Segments    Production
Solutions
     Natural Gas
Technologies
     Total  

Major Product/Service Lines

        

Surface Equipment(1)

   $ 141,920      $      $ 141,920  

Downhole Components

     72,555               72,555  

Vapor Recovery(1)

            63,543        63,543  

Natural Gas Systems

            71,267        71,267  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 214,475      $ 134,810      $ 349,285  
  

 

 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

        

Goods transferred at a point in time

   $ 72,555      $ 91,748      $ 164,303  

Services transferred over time

     141,920        43,062        184,982  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 214,475      $ 134,810      $ 349,285  
  

 

 

 

Geographical Markets

        

United States

   $ 212,661      $ 134,574      $ 347,235  

International

     1,814        236        2,050  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 214,475      $ 134,810      $ 349,285  

 

(1)   Revenue for these service lines are recognized in accordance with ASC 842 as described within the Revenue Recognition section above.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The following table presents our third party revenue from contracts with customers by reportable segment (see Note 15 – “Segment Information”) and disaggregated by major product and service lines, timing of revenue recognition, and geographical markets for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

 

       
Segments    Production
Solutions
     Natural Gas
Technologies
     Total  

Major Product/Service Lines

        

Surface Equipment(1)

   $ 123,905      $      $ 123,905  

Natural Gas Systems

            43,956        43,956  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 123,905      $ 43,956      $ 167,861  
  

 

 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

        

Goods transferred at a point in time

   $      $ 43,956      $ 43,956  

Services transferred over time

     123,905               123,905  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 123,905      $ 43,956      $ 167,861  
  

 

 

 

Geographical Markets

        

United States

   $ 123,905      $ 43,956      $ 167,861  

International

                    
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 123,905      $ 43,956      $ 167,861  

 

(1)   Revenue for these service lines are recognized in accordance with ASC 842 as described within the Revenue Recognition section above.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $458 and $54 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation from plans held and maintained by each of its Members. The share-based awards are issued to certain employees of the Company and therefore require expense to be recognized within these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company accounts for these awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation.

The Company recognizes the share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the share-based award at the grant date. The share-based awards are classified as equity and are accounted for as a capital contribution from the Members. The share-based compensation expense is included within selling and general administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company estimates grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. The fair value of the Company’s share-based awards is based on the Company’s historical financial performance and observable arms-length sales of the Company’s equity.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The expected term represents the period that the share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected term using the simplified method as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method deems the term to be the average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the share-based awards. Since the Company’s shares are not publicly or privately traded, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the date of the grant. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur (Note 11).

Fair Value

The Company uses valuation approaches that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. A three-tiered hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. This hierarchy requires that the Company use observable market data, when available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value:

Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Income Taxes

The Company is not a tax paying entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus no provision for federal income taxes has been recognized. Income of the Company is taxed to the members of the parent in their respective returns. The Company is subject to Texas state margin tax based on gross profit. Accordingly, a provision and liability for the Texas margin tax has been included within other expense and accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and balance sheets, respectively.

The Company believes that all significant tax positions utilized by the Company will more likely than not be sustained upon examination. As of September 30, 2024, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations are from the year 2017 forward (with limited exceptions). Tax penalties and interest, if any, would be accrued as incurred and would be classified as tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Accounting standard-setting organizations frequently issue new or revised accounting rules and pronouncements. The Company regularly reviews new accounting rules and pronouncements to determine their impact, if any, on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update require public companies to disclose on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. In addition, the amendment requires that a public entity provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required in interim periods and require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Early adoption is permitted. This amendment is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company does not expect ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, which requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and December 15, 2025 for all other entities. ASU 2023-09 may be applied prospectively or retrospectively, and allows for early adoption. These requirements do not currently impact these financial statements, however, to the extent the Company’s registration statement is declared effective these requirements may have an impact on the Company’s income tax disclosures. The Company does not intend to early adopt ASU 2023-09. The impact of adoption will be assessed at the time that the Company is subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).

In March 2024, FASB issued ASU No. 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards. ASU 2024-01 provides an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718. ASU 2024-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and December 15, 2025 for all other entities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-01 on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. ASU 2024-03 requires companies to disclose, in the notes to the financial statements, specific information about certain costs and expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. This includes disclosing amounts related to employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization. In addition, companies will need to provide qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively. ASU 2024-03 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Implementation of ASU 2024-03 may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2024-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Note 2—Business Combinations

On June 20, 2024, the 2024 Business Combination was completed and accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting under ASC 805. The results of operations are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations from the date of the acquisition. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities have been recorded at their respective estimated fair values as of the date of completion of the acquisition and reported into the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Preliminary fair value measurements were made for acquired assets and liabilities, and adjustments to those measurements may be made in subsequent periods (up to one year from the acquisition date) as information necessary to complete the fair value analysis is obtained. The measurements associated with working capital, property, plant and equipment, and the allocation of certain intangible assets are preliminary as of the date these financial statements are available to be issued. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, and other net working capital accounts approximate their fair values due to their nature or the short-term maturity of instruments. The acquired debt was determined to approximate fair value as the terms were commensurate with current market terms. The acquired leases were accounted for in accordance with ASC 842. The fair value of the intangible assets acquired was determined using variations of the income approach that utilizes unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 measurements.

Customer relationships were valued using a form of the income approach referred to as the excess earnings method. This approach is based on forecasted revenue expected from the acquired customers, accounting for the loss of customers over time. Projected income from existing customer relationships was determined using a customer retention rate of 97% for both Flowco Productions and Flogistix. The present value of operating cash flows from existing customers was determined using discount rates of 23% and 19% for Flogistix and Flowco Productions, respectively.

The trade name and developed technology were valued using the relief-from-royalty method. This method is based on the application of a royalty rate to forecasted revenue to quantify the benefit of owning the intangible asset rather than paying a royalty for use of the asset. To estimate royalty savings over time, the Company projected revenue from the acquired existing technology over the estimated remaining life of the technology, including the effect of assumed technological obsolescence, before applying an assumed royalty rate. The Company assumed technological obsolescence at rates of 5% and 10% annually for Flogistix and Flowco Productions, respectively, before applying an assumed royalty rate between 1.5% and 5% for Flogistix, and 2.5% and 5% for Flowco Productions.

The fair value of inventory was determined using a form of the top-down approach known as the comparative sales method. This method begins with estimating the selling price of the acquired finished goods which utilizes the respective royalty rates defined above, and then deducts the costs and profits related to manufacturing and disposal efforts. The fair value of property and equipment was determined using a combination of replacement cost and indirect cost.

Flowco Productions is a provider of artificial lift products, which offer early intervention and long-term solutions for enhanced oil and gas recovery. The financial results of Flowco Productions are included in the Production Solutions reporting segment.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Flogistix operates in the business of capturing natural gas from tanks and other production equipment for its customers primarily through providing natural gas compression equipment and services, along with improving natural gas and crude oil production. The financial results of Flogistix are included in the Natural Gas Technologies reporting segment.

The Company paid $1,250 of transaction related expenses, which were expensed as incurred and included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The 2024 Business Combination was achieved through the contributions of Flowco Productions and Flogistix in exchange for 2,600,000 and 2,300,000 Class A units, respectively. Estis was determined to be the accounting acquirer and therefore is not included in the consideration transferred. 5,100,000 Class A units were issued to Estis Member in exchange for 1,000 units of the predecessor, which have been reflected retrospectively.

The total purchase price for the 2024 Business Combination was $854,628 consisting of $399,765 relating to Flogistix and $454,863 relating to Flowco Productions. The value of the consideration was equivalent to the enterprise value of the underlying businesses which were determined using the guideline public company method market approach. Goodwill is recognized as the excess of consideration over the net assets acquired of Flowco Productions and Flogistix and represents the value derived from the assembled workforce, established processes, and expected future market growth.

The following table presents the consideration transferred and preliminary fair value of Flogistix assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with ASC 805:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 193  

Accounts receivable - trade, net

     18,104  

Inventory

     82,378  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,551  

Property, plant and equipment

     357,443  

Intangible assets

     92,500  

Finance lease right-of-use assets

     8,629  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     9,763  

Other assets

     358  

Accounts payable - Trade

     (18,143

Accrued expenses

     (9,495

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     (2,356

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     (3,579

Deferred revenue

     (4,085

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     (6,172

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     (6,506

Long-term debt

     (205,933
  

 

 

 

Identifiable net assets acquired

     315,650  

Goodwill

     84,115  
  

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

   $ 399,765  

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The following table presents the consideration transferred and preliminary fair value of Flowco Productions assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with ASC 805:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,895  

Accounts receivable - trade, net

     42,999  

Inventory

     62,894  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,565  

Property, plant and equipment

     28,608  

Intangible assets

     191,000  

Finance lease right-of-use assets

     6,102  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     5,151  

Other assets

     300  

Accounts payable - Trade

     (11,119

Accrued expenses

     (15,534

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     (3,225

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     (2,179

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     (2,972

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     (2,877

Long-term debt

     (29,930
  

 

 

 

Identifiable net assets acquired

     273,678  

Goodwill

     181,185  
  

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

   $ 454,863  

Identifiable intangible assets and their amortization periods are estimated as follows:

 

     
      Cost Basis      Useful Life (years)  

Flogistix

     

Trade name

   $ 16,650        10  

Developed Technology

     47,450        20  

Customer relationships

     28,400        14  
  

 

 

    
   $ 92,500     

Flowco Productions

     

Trade name

   $ 39,000        10  

Developed Technology

     39,000        10  

Customer relationships

     113,000        9  
  

 

 

    
     $ 191,000           

$84,115 of Flogistix goodwill was recognized within the Natural Gas Technology segment and $181,185 of Flowco Productions goodwill was recognized within the Production Solutions segment in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company determined the useful life of the customer relationships using a form of the income approach referred to as excess earnings method. This approach is based on forecasted revenue expected from the acquired customers, accounting for the loss of customers over time. The Company determined the useful life of the trade name based on anticipated future use of the trade name and industry norms. The Company determined the useful life of the developed technology on the basis of the obsolescence

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

factor and long-term projections for U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) and consumer price index (“CPI”) and the understanding of the current and expected future state of the technology.

The following table presents certain unaudited pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 as if the 2024 Business Combination had been completed on January 1, 2023. Net Sales and net income of Flogistix in the historical consolidated statements of operations for the period from June 20, 2024 to September 30, 2024 were $63,543 and $4,695, respectively. Net Sales and net income of Flowco Productions in the historical consolidated statements of operations for the period from June 20, 2024 to September 30, 2024 were $72,555 and $1,223, respectively. These unaudited pro forma results may not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations that would have been achieved, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations. The unaudited pro forma information reflects adjustments for depreciation and amortization resulting from the fair value step-up of property, plant and equipment and the intangible assets acquired, recognition of incremental costs due to the fair value step-up for inventory acquired, and the reduction in interest expense from elimination of deferred financing costs.

The following unaudited pro-forma financial results considers that the 2024 Business Combination occurred as of January 1, 2023:

 

     
      September 30,
2024
     September 30,
2023
 

Pro forma net sales

   $ 547,267      $ 479,888  

Pro forma net income

   $ 81,662      $ 149,359  

Note 3—Inventory

Inventory consists of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

     
      September 30,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Components, parts and materials

   $ 109,152      $ 27,945  

Work in process

     16,122        3,391  

Finished goods

     43,839         
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 169,113      $ 31,336  

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Note 4—Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

     
      September 30, 2024     December 31, 2023  

Land

   $ 1,822     $ 150  

Buildings

     2,979       1,935  

Furniture and fixtures

     4,606       2,339  

Software

     2,948        

Machinery and equipment

     831,895       409,212  

Vehicles

     3,299       2,052  

Leasehold improvements

     7,564        

Construction in progress

     7,535       275  
  

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

     862,648       415,963  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (168,025     (123,740
  

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 694,623     $ 292,223  

The Company’s rental fleet included in machinery and equipment above was $775,800 (approximately $494,200, net of accumulated depreciation) as of September 30, 2024 and was $361,600 (approximately $279,500, net of accumulated depreciation) as of December 31, 2023.

Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $44,966 and $29,769, respectively.

Note 5—Leases

The Company has operating leases related to office space and manufacturing facilities. The Company has finance leases related to vehicles, tractors, and trailers. The Company’s office space leases have a remaining lease term of 6-102 months as of September 30, 2024. The Company’s finance leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1-84 months as of September 30, 2024. Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to seven years. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at our discretion. The measurement of the lease term includes options to extend or renew the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options.

Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and may contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

Leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheet

The condensed consolidated balance sheets consist of the following amounts relating to operating and finance leases:

 

   
      September 30, 2024  

Operating right-of-use assets

  

Real property

   $ 18,109  
  

 

 

 
   $ 18,109  
  

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

  

Current

     6,381  

Non-current

     11,751  
  

 

 

 
     $ 18,132  

 

   
      September 30, 2024  

Finance right-of-use assets

  

Vehicles

   $ 21,535  
  

 

 

 
   $ 21,535  
  

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities

  

Current

   $ 9,185  

Non-current

     11,990  
  

 

 

 
     $ 21,175  

Additions to right-of-use assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were approximately $6,578. Disposals to right-of-use assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were approximately $615.

The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the operating and finance lease liabilities on September 30, 2024 was 7% and 6% respectively. The weighted average remaining lease term for operating and finance lease on September 30, 2024 was 3.80 years and 2.05 years, respectively.

Amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations

The condensed consolidated statements of operations consist of the following amounts relating to leases:

 

   
     Nine Months Ended  
      September 30, 2024  

Amortization of real property operating right-of-use assets

  

(included in general and administrative expenses)

   $ 2,294  

Interest expense of vehicles finance right-of-use assets

  

(included in interest expense)

   $ 1,630  

Depreciation of vehicles finance right-of-use assets

  

(included in depreciation and amortization)

   $ 2,534  

Variable lease expense

   $  

Short-term lease expense

   $  

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The total cash outflow for leases for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $5,267 and $1,114, respectively.

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum operating and finance lease payments to the operating and finance lease liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2024:

 

     
      Operating Lease     Finance Lease  

Rest of 2024

   $ 1,947     $ 3,264  

2025

     7,215       11,038  

2026

     5,592       7,276  

2027

     2,812       1,895  

2028

     1,106       38  

Thereafter

     1,735       2  
  

 

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

     20,407       23,513  

Less: Amount of lease payments representing interest

     (2,275     (2,338
  

 

 

 

Present values of future minimum lease payments

   $ 18,132     $ 21,175  

Lessor Accounting

Rental agreements are for the rental of our compressor units to customers. Rental revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $184,982 and $123,905, respectively. Revenue related to these rental agreements is reflected as rental revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Scheduled future minimum lease payments to be received by the Company as of September 30, 2024 for each of the next five years is as follows:

 

Rest of 2024

   $ 43,709  

2025

     73,802  

2026

     19,879  

2027

     5,362  

2028

     347  

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 143,099  

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Note 6—Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

The following table summarizes goodwill balance:

 

       
     Natural Gas Technologies      Production
Solutions
     Consolidated  
      Goodwill      Accumulated
Impairment
Losses
    Goodwill, net of
Accumulated
Impairment
     Goodwill      Goodwill, net of
Accumulated
Impairment
 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 7,596      $ (5,372   $ 2,224      $      $ 2,224  

Additions to goodwill

     84,115              84,115        181,185        265,300  

Goodwill impairment

                                 
  

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2024

   $ 91,711      $ (5,372   $ 86,339      $ 181,185      $ 267,524  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 7,596      $ (5,372   $ 2,224      $      $ 2,224  

Additions to goodwill

                                 

Goodwill impairment

                                 
  

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2023

   $ 7,596      $ (5,372   $ 2,224      $      $ 2,224  

Intangible assets, net consist of the following:

 

     
     September 30, 2024      December 31, 2023  
      Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
     Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
 

Developed technology

   $ 97,350      $ (7,374   $ 89,976      $ 10,900      $ (4,814   $ 6,086  

Trade name

     61,010        (4,315     56,695        5,360        (2,367     2,993  

Customer relationships

     145,670        (6,523     139,147        4,270        (2,095     2,175  

Patents

     64        (26     38                      
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 304,094      $ (18,238   $ 285,856      $ 20,530      $ (9,276   $ 11,254  

Amortization expense totaled $8,962 and $1,575 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, the weighted average remaining useful lives for the developed technology, trade name and customer relationships are 14.6 years, 9.5 years, and 9.6 years, respectively.

Amortization expense is classified in operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated future amortization expense as of September 30, 2024 for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

 

Rest of 2024

   $ 7,149  

2025

     28,636  

2026

     28,597  

2027

     28,597  

2028

     28,400  

Thereafter

     164,477  
  

 

 

 
     $ 285,856  

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Note 7—Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:

 

     
      September 30, 2024      December 31, 2023  

Products received not invoiced

   $ 1,990      $  

Accrued payroll and related expenses

     17,603        3,011  

Accrued taxes

     8,100        3,070  

Customer deposits

     114        1,515  

Accrued interest

     3,424        782  

Other accrued liabilities

     5,008        528  
  

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

   $ 36,239      $ 8,906  

Accrued taxes consist of amounts owed for obligations under sales & use tax arrangements, property taxes and applicable state income taxes.

Note 8—Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

 

     
      September 30, 2024      December 31, 2023  

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 575,491      $ 236,380  
  

 

 

 

Total debt

     575,491        236,380  

Less: Deferred financing costs

            (1,115

Current maturities

             
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt, net

   $ 575,491      $ 235,265  

Revolving Credit Facility

On August 20, 2024, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions LLC, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, collectively the (“Borrowers”), entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a $700,000 five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company has the ability to request the issuance of letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount of up to $20,000. The Company also has the ability to borrow swingline loans under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50,000. The Revolving Credit Facility modifies the previous Estis revolving credit facility, and settled all outstanding indebtedness under then-existing credit agreements with Estis, Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on August 20, 2029. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions.

The borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility is equal to the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable of the Borrowers and each of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower that are subsidiary guarantors (the Borrowers and such subsidiary guarantors, collectively, the “Loan Parties”), plus

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

(ii) 90% of eligible investment grade accounts receivable of the Loan Parties, plus (iii) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of the Loan Parties’ eligible inventory plus (iv) the lesser of (x) 120% of the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible appraised rental compressor fleet and (y) the product of 80% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentage identified in the most recent appraisal multiplied by the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible appraised rental compressor fleet, plus (v) 80% of the lesser of (x) the cost and (y) the net book value of the Loan Parties’ eligible new rental compressor fleet plus (vi) the lesser of (x) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of the Borrowers’ eligible equipment and (y) not to exceed 10% of the borrowing base, less (vii) reserves established by the administrative agent in its permitted discretion pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s ability to borrow loans or obtain letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to there being sufficient availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, which is calculated as (i) the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility and (b) the borrowing base at such time, minus (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all loans and the aggregate outstanding amount of all letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, at the option of the Borrowers, either based on an alternate base rate (“ABR”) or a term SOFR (“Secured Overnight Finance Rate”). Loans comprising each ABR borrowing under the Credit Agreement accrue interest at the ABR plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% per annum, dependent upon the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Loans comprising each SOFR rate borrowing accrue interest at a Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, depending on the Total Leverage Ratio. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $575,491 in borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the Term SOFR rate of 5.30% and applicable margin of 2.00%. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility contains financial covenants with respect to minimum interest coverage ratio and maximum total leverage ratio, as detailed below.

 

 

The Borrowers will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be less than 2.50 to 1.00; and

 

 

The Borrowers will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

The Borrowers are in compliance with all covenants as of and for the period ended September 30, 2024.

The Company incurred direct costs associated with the issuance of the Revolving Credit Facility and recorded approximately $5,424 of debt issuance costs. In addition to the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Prior Revolving Credit Facility of $640, the debt issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense over the life of Revolving Credit Facility. $221 of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Prior Revolving Credit Facility was written off. Unamortized debt issuance costs are included in other current assets and other non-current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $4,669 of interest expense related to the Revolving Credit Facility and $141 of expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

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Table of Contents

Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The schedule of future maturities of long-term debt as of September 30, 2024, consists of the following:

 

   
      Amount  

Rest of 2024

   $  

2025

      

2026

      

2027

      

2028

      

Thereafter

     575,491  
  

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 575,491  

Note 9—Members’ Equity

As provided for in the Limited Liability Agreement of the Company, dated as of June 20, 2024, the Members hold 100% of the limited liability company interests of the Company and exercise all control through those interests. The Members contributed 100% of the direct equity interests of Estis, Flowco and Flogistix to the Company in exchange of Series A Units of the Company of 5,100,000, 2,600,000 and 2,300,000, respectively, proportionate to the value of the contributed entities.

There are no restrictions on distributions. The Members’ equity account will be adjusted for distributions paid to, and additional capital contributions that are made by the Members. Distributions of cash and profit and losses are allocated to the Members based on their capital contributions.

Note 10—Earnings Per Unit

Basic EPU is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company’s unitholders by the weighted average number of units of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive securities that would impact the basic EPU.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used for basic and diluted earnings per unit (in thousands, except units and per unit data):

 

   
     Nine Months Ended  
      September 30,
2024
     September 30,
2023
 

Net income

   $ 57,913      $ 40,028  

Weighted average common units outstanding

     6,941,971        5,100,000  

Basic and diluted earnings per unit

   $ 8.34      $ 7.85  

Note 11—Share-Based Compensation

The Company’s Members have the following plans discussed below. These plans are for the benefit of certain employees of the Company and therefore share-based compensation expense has been recognized within selling, general and administrative expenses within the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Estis Holdings LLC Profit Units Plan

On July 19, 2019, GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, implemented a Profit Units Plan (the “Estis Plan”) pursuant to which the Member may grant profit units in form of Class B Units to certain Estis’ employees. The profit units vest over a service period of three years from the date of the grant. Upon the occurrence of a change in control transaction, all Class B Units that have not yet vested will vest in full (subject to certain forfeiture of rights in connection with a failure to perform requested transition services).

Estis has the right and not the obligation to repurchase the profit units at fair value in an event of termination of its employees (“call option”). The call option is considered non-mandatorily redeemable and not probable.

The 2024 Business Combination did not result in a change in control transaction for the Estis Member and as such, no additional share-based compensation expense was recognized under this acceleration feature for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Flowco Production Solutions L.L.C. Profit Units Plan

On November 17, 2017, Flowco implemented a Profit Units Plan (the “Flowco Plan”) pursuant to which Flowco may grant profit units in the form of Class C Units to certain Flowco employees. The profit units vest over a service period of three years from the date of the grant for selected employees or at the grant date. Upon occurrence of a change in control transaction, all class C units that have not yet vested shall vest in full.

Flowco has the right and not the obligation to repurchase the profit units at fair value in an event of termination of its employees (“call option”). The call option is considered non-mandatorily redeemable and not probable.

The 2024 Business Combination did not result in a change in control transaction for Flowco and as such, no additional share-based compensation expense was recognized under this acceleration feature for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Flogistix Holding LLC Profit Units Plan

On February 29, 2024, affiliates of the Flogistix Member closed on a continuation vehicle transaction, whereby existing investors in the affiliate were allowed to exit their investment and be replaced by new investors. As part of this transaction, certain units of Flogistix Member were exchanged. Any units that did not meet threshold requirements for conversion were cancelled. As a result of the exchanged or cancelled units, Flogistix Member authorized a new issuance of units for certain Flogistix employees. The units will vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period from the grant date. The grant date fair value was $360/Unit.

The aggregate recognized compensation expense for all profit units plans was $509 and $68 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

The aggregate unrecognized compensation expense for all profit units plans was $4,248 and $63 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company is currently contemplating a series of organization transactions in preparation for an initial public offering. If completed successfully, these organizational transactions will end the respective plans governing the profit units discussed above and cause any outstanding profit units to vest and all unrecognized expense to be recorded.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Note 12—Employee Benefit Plan

The Company’s subsidiaries have a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing plan covering substantially all employees whereby the Company matches 100% or substantially all of employee contributions up to a range of 3%-6% of the employee’s salary subject to IRS limitations. The Company’s matching contributions amounted to approximately $1,060 and $361 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 13—Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is, and from time to time may be, subject to various claims and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal matters that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has insurance coverage with Federal Insurance Company covering employment practices and other fiduciary liabilities on employees.

Note 14—Fair Value Measurements

The Company has assessed that the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities, approximates their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term nature of these accounts. The Company has also determined the carrying value of the long-term debt approximates its fair value given its variable rate and indirect indexation to the Company’s credit risk.

See Note 2 for information regarding the estimated fair value of goodwill.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Note 15—Segment Information

The Company’s operations are primarily based in the United States. All material revenues of the Company are derived from the United States. All long-lived assets of the Company are located in the United States.

We have identified two reportable business segments as follows:

 

 

Production Solutions: relates to rental services related to high pressure gas lift, conventional gas lift and plunger lift; including other digital solutions and methane abatement technologies. This segment includes rental, sales, and service revenues.

 

 

Natural Gas Technologies: relates to the design, manufacturing and rent of vapor recovery and natural gas systems. This segment includes rental, sales, and service revenues.

Corporate headquarters and certain functional departments do not earn revenues but incur costs which do not constitute business activities. Therefore, these corporate headquarters and certain functional departments do not qualify as an operating segment and have been included within corporate and other, which is also not considered a reportable segment. Corporate and other includes (i) corporate and overhead costs, and (ii) capitalized costs related to the initial public offering (the “IPO”) and debt issuance and does not include any immaterial and aggregated operating segments.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:

 

     
      September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023  

Segment Revenue:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 214,475     $ 123,905  

Natural Gas Technologies

     163,697       77,536  
  

 

 

 

Total Segment Revenue

     378,172       201,441  

Eliminations

     (28,887     (33,580
  

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 349,285     $ 167,861  
  

 

 

 

Segment Adjusted EBITDA:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 112,239     $ 83,220  

Natural Gas Technologies

     36,418       4,768  
  

 

 

 

Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA

     148,657       87,988  

Corporate and other (1)

     1,226        

Interest expense

     (22,174     (14,671

Depreciation and amortization

     (56,502     (32,078

Transaction related expenses

     (3,083      

Share-based compensation expense

     (509     (68

Loss on sale of equipment

     (727     (764

Loss on debt extinguishment

     (221      

Inventory valuation adjustment

     (8,052      
  

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 58,615     $ 40,407  
  

 

 

 

Segment Depreciation and Amortization:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 41,276     $ 31,300  

Natural Gas Technologies

     15,226       778  
  

 

 

 

Total Segment Depreciation and Amortization

   $ 56,502     $ 32,078  

 

     
      September 30, 2024     December 31, 2023  

Segment Capital Expenditures:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 38,355     $ 39,035  

Natural Gas Technologies

     23,269       1,144  
  

 

 

 

Total Segment Capital Expenditures

   $ 61,624     $ 40,179  
  

 

 

 

Segment Assets:

    

Production Solutions

   $ 880,080     $ 340,198  

Natural Gas Technologies

     732,048       56,276  
  

 

 

 

Total Segment Assets

     1,612,128       396,474  

Eliminations

     (14,873     (4,386

Corporate and other(1)

     8,483        
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 1,605,738     $ 392,088  

 

(1)   Corporate costs incurred without revenues do not constitute business activities and therefore, do not meet the criteria of an operating segment. These costs have been combined into Corporate and other. Corporate and other includes (i) corporate and overhead costs, and (ii) capitalized costs related to the IPO and debt issuance.

 

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Flowco MergeCo LLC (Predecessor)

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Eliminations within the segment revenue disclosure above relate to $28,887 and $33,580 of intersegment equipment sales from Natural Gas Technologies to Production Solutions for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company changed the measure used by the Company’s CODM to evaluate segment profitability from income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA, which is consistent with how the Company’s CODM evaluates the results of operations and makes strategic decisions about the business.

The effect of the change was an additional $50.0 million and $15.9 million in the measurement of segment profitability for Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively; and $31.7 million and $0.8 million in the measurement of segment profitability for Production Solutions and Natural Gas Technologies for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The primary driver of the change in these two measures of profitability is depreciation and amortization, as well as other non-cash and non-recurring adjustments being included in segment Adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, there are $1.2 million of expenses within corporate and other in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 related to salaries, professional services and facilities expenses that did not exist in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Note 16—Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through December 6, 2024, the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

Asset Acquisition

On October 25, 2024, Flowco Productions entered into an asset purchase agreement with TM Oilfield Services, LLC (“Seller”), pursuant to which it agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets, consistently primarily of inventory, fixed and intangible assets for a purchase price of $7,600.

On November 27, 2024, the Company amended its Credit Agreement for an additional revolving commitment of $25 million.

 

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Report of Independent Auditors

To the Management of Flowco Productions LLC

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for goodwill and the manner in which it accounts for leases effective January 1, 2022. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

Responsibilities of Management for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are available to be issued.

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with US GAAS will always detect a material

 

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misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the consolidated financial statements.

In performing an audit in accordance with US GAAS, we:

 

 

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

 

 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

 

 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

April 26, 2024, except for the change in the manner in which the Company accounts for goodwill and leases discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is August 30, 2024

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    2023      2022  

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 944      $ 848  

Trade accounts receivable, net

     42,997        40,680  

Inventories

     46,288        44,041  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,455        6,929  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     91,684        92,498  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     14,174        11,428  

Finance lease right-of-use asset, net

     6,596        4,235  

Operating lease right-of-use asset, net

     6,067        7,662  

Intangible assets, net

     2,522        3,954  

Goodwill

     7,410        7,410  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 128,453      $ 127,187  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities and Members’ Equity

     

Current liabilities

     

Current portion of long-term debt

   $      $ 301  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     2,552        1,614  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     2,269        2,184  

Accounts payable

     8,616        8,723  

Accrued liabilities

     12,203        14,964  
  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     25,640        27,786  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     24,550        29,710  

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     2,887        1,682  

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     4,027        5,466  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     57,104        64,644  
  

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

     

Members’ equity

     

Unlimited Class A Units, no par value and 95,267,902 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

             

Unlimited Class B Units, no par value and 12,064,621 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

             

Unlimited Class C Units, no par value and 87,315 and 58,965 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively

             

Additional paid-in capital

     31,774        29,968  

Retained earnings

     39,575        32,575  
  

 

 

 

Total members’ equity

     71,349        62,543  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 128,453      $ 127,187  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    2023     2022  

Revenues

    

Sales Revenue

   $ 189,192     $ 168,998  

Service Revenue

     40,276       31,485  
  

 

 

 

Total revenue

     229,468       200,483  
  

 

 

 

Operating expenses

    

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, presented separately below)

    

Sales

     101,611       88,070  

Service

     18,555       16,286  

Sales, general and administrative

     60,353       56,602  

Depreciation and amortization

     7,392       6,170  

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

     95       (568
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     188,006       166,560  
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     41,462       33,923  

Interest expense

     (2,439     (1,332

Other income

     1,006       28  

Other (expense)

     (808     (184
  

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     39,221       32,435  

Income tax expense

     (624     (530
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 38,597     $ 31,905  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

             
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except units data)
  Class A Units     Class B Units     Class C Units    

Additional
Paid-in

Capital

   

Retained
Earnings

   

Members’

Equity

 
  Units     Amount     Units     Amount     Units     Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2021

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       48,965     $     $ 29,442     $ 11,202     $  40,644  

Distribution to members

                                              (10,532     (10,532

Net income

                                              31,905       31,905  

Share-based compensation

                            10,000             526             526  
 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2022

    95,267,902             12,064,621             58,965             29,968       32,575       62,543  

Distribution to members

                                              (31,597     (31,597

Net income

                                              38,597       38,597  

Member contribution

                                        786             786  

Share-based compensation

                            28,350             1,020             1,020  
 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2023

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       87,315     $     $ 31,774     $ 39,575     $ 71,349  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    2023     2022  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 38,597     $ 31,905  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation & amortization

     7,392       6,170  

Amortization of ROU operating lease assets

     2,243       1,856  

Share based compensation

     1,020       526  

Bad debt recovery

     (50     (22

Inventory allowance expense

     683       1,749  

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

     95       (568

Foreign currency translation loss

     5       83  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Accounts receivable

     (2,267     (16,429

Inventories

     (2,928     (12,329

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,474       (4,658

Operating lease liabilities

     (2,003     (2,049

Accounts payable

     (61     (368

Accrued liabilities

     (2,812     6,046  
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     45,388       11,912  
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (7,161     (4,642

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

     302       700  
  

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) investing activities

     (6,859     (3,942
  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from debt

     84,315       95,870  

Payments on debt

     (89,475     (91,200

Payments on finance leases

     (2,162     (1,657

Payments on promissory notes

     (301     (561

Member contributions

     786    

Distributions to members

     (31,596     (10,532
  

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (38,433     (8,080
  

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     96       (110

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Beginning of year

     848       958  
  

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 944     $ 848  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Interest paid

   $ 2,522     $ 1,351  

Income taxes paid

     624       530  

Noncash investing & financing activities

    

Finance lease additions

   $ 4,305     $ 2,334  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“Flowco” or the “Company”) was formed as a Texas Limited Liability Company and maintains its principal office in Houston, Texas. The Company includes consolidated subsidiaries in the United States and Canada, and it provides artificial lift products, which offer early intervention and long-term solutions for enhanced oil and gas recovery.

The Company’s subsidiaries at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are Patriot Artificial Lift LLC, Flowco Production Solutions Canada Ltd., SPM Completion Systems LLC, Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC, and Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Change in Accounting Principles

As a significant acquired business of Flowco MergeCo LLC (Note 14), the Company revised its previously issued financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 to reflect changes in accounting principle related to its accounting for goodwill and operating lease arrangements. Within its previously issued financial statements, the Company had elected accounting alternatives developed by the Private Company Council (PCC) allowing for the amortization of goodwill and the use of the risk-free rate in measuring its right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities, which are not allowable accounting principles for an acquired business that meets the definition of a public business entity (PBE). The Company retroactively adopted the requisite provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, and ASC 842, Leases, to unwind the impacts of these PCC alternatives and apply standards applicable for PBEs. These accounting policies are disclosed within the footnotes to these consolidated financial statements.

The impact of unwinding the PCC alternative for goodwill amortization to the previously issued financial statements was a cumulative increase to retained earnings of $2,310 as of January 1, 2022, an increase to net income of $741 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and an increase to net income of $741 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The impact of unwinding the PCC alternative for usage of the risk-free discount rate to the previously issued financial statements was a decrease to operating lease right-of-use assets of $186 and $277, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with corresponding comparable decreases to operating lease liabilities at each reporting date.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are adjusted to reflect actual experience when necessary. Significant estimates

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, fair value of goodwill, useful life fixed assets and intangible assets, inventory, allowance for credit losses, share-based compensation, and estimation of contingencies. The Company assesses estimates on an ongoing basis, however, actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The principles in the standard are applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied.

The Company’s material streams of revenue are as follows:

Sales

As it relates to the sale of oil & gas products, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts—the manufacture and sale of the contracted good to the customer. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which occurs point-in-time upon transfer of control of the product upon delivery to the customer. The transaction price (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the standalone sales price of each individual good and is typically settled within 30-45 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company treats shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment activity, and the costs are recognized in cost of sales. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues.

Services

The Company performs maintenance and repair services for gas lift systems, plunger lift systems, and plunger assisted gas lift systems as well as services related to downhole fluid recovery, spooling, capillary, downhole tool installation and removal and other related activities. As it relates to oil & gas services, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts—the completion of the contracted service. Revenue from the sale of services is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which occurs point-in-time upon completion of the service, which typically occurs within 1-3 days from the date the services commence. The transaction price for services (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the service contract with the customer) is the standalone price of each service completed and charged to the customer. The transaction price is typically settled within 30-45 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon service transactions and collected by the Company from its customer, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The following table summarizes revenue by geographical location where the Company operates its business:

 

     
      2023      2022  

United States

   $ 222,229      $ 194,784  

International

     7,239        5,699  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 229,468      $ 200,483  

 

 

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $534 and $447 for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Advertising costs are included in sales, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in bank deposits and at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash or cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no restricted cash.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable is comprised of receivables from the sales of products, which are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company bills its customers in accordance with contractual agreements. Generally, no collateral or other security is required to support a customer’s receivables.

The trade accounts receivable is recorded net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based upon the amount of losses expected to be incurred in the collection of these accounts pursuant to the guidance outlined in ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13, Topic 326, or ASC 326), which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2023 as further discussed in the “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” section of this Note. The estimated losses are calculated using the loss rate method based upon a review of outstanding receivables, including specific accounts, related aging, and on historical collection experience. These allowances reflect our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience and, as applicable, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectability. Our estimate could require a change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the circumstances of individual customers. In addition, specific accounts are written off against the allowance when management determines the account is uncollectible. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s allowance for credit losses was $340 and $313, respectively. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is adequate; however, changes in circumstances relating to accounts receivable may result in a requirement for additional allowances in the future.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The following table summarizes the change in the accounts receivables allowance for credit losses:

 

   
     December 31,  
      2023     2022  

Beginning balance

   $ (313   $ (314

Reversal of allowance for credit losses

     282       134  

Allowance for credit losses

     (309     (133
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ (340   $ (313

 

 

Inventories

Inventories consist of artificial lift products and the associated parts and materials necessary to construct these products. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (as determined by average costing) or net realizable value. Cost includes material, applied labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventory quantities are regularly reviewed and provisions for market value decline and obsolete inventory are recorded primarily based on management’s forecast of future demand and market conditions. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded charges of $683 and $1,749, respectively, to write down slow moving inventory, perform cost adjustments and physical adjustments. These charges are included in cost of goods sold expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as summarized below:

 

   
      Useful Life

Plant and equipment

   2–7 years

Motor vehicles

   3 years

Office equipment

   5 years

Leasehold improvements

   Lesser of useful
life or lease term

 

Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation with any gain or loss from disposition reflected in operations. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Write-off of fully depreciated assets is performed when the assets are no longer in use.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as summarized below:

 

   
      Useful Life

Patents

   20 years

Customer relationships

   6–10 years

Developed technology

   10 years

Trade name

   5 years

Noncompete agreement

   3 years

Backlog

   1 year

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted future net cash flows of assets grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset is deemed impaired. The amount of the impairment is measured as the difference between carrying value and the fair value of the asset. The Company did not record an impairment to its long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets, including other intangibles, acquired during a business combination.

Goodwill is not amortized. Instead, it is subject to an annual impairment test at the reporting unit level. The Company performs the annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31. Impairment of goodwill exists when the carrying amount of the reporting units that includes goodwill exceeds its fair value.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the qualitative assessment is not conclusive, the Company performs the quantitative assessment, comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.

As part of goodwill impairment testing, fair value is determined by using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The income approach estimates the fair value by using forecasted revenues and operating cash flows, estimating terminal values and associated growth rates, and discounting them using an estimate of the discount rate, or expected return, that a market participant would have required as of the valuation date. The market approach estimates fair value by applying valuation multiples sourced from representative peer group companies to the Company’s earnings.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The Company did not record an impairment to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company issued Class C units (“Profit Units”) to certain employees in form of profit units and accounts for them in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”.

The Company recognizes the share-based compensation expense over the employee’s requisite service period. The share-based awards are classified as equity. The share-based compensation expense is included within sales, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company estimates grant date fair value using a Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option pricing framework based on the rights and preferences of the units outstanding. The use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. The fair value of the Company’s profit units is based in part on the fair value of equity at or near the time of issuance and other key assumptions utilized in the BSM model. The grant date fair value of each profit units award is estimated on the date of grant using the BSM option-pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     
Valuation assumptions:    2023      2022  

Expected term (in years)

     2        2  

Expected equity volatility

     45.7%        54.6%  

Expected dividend yield

     0.00%        0.00%  

Risk free rate

     3.75%        4.05%  

Discount for lack of marketability

     25.00%        30.00%  

 

 

Since the Company’s shares are not publicly or privately traded, expected volatility is estimated based on the average historical volatility of similar entities with publicly traded shares. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the date of the grant. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur (Note 9).

Income Taxes

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries are treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All revenue and expenses of the Company and its subsidiaries are reportable in the income tax returns of the members. The Company is subject to minimum annual tax and a franchise tax in the state of Texas.

The Company is not aware of any significant uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2023 and 2022 as it relates to its state income tax positions.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception by assessing whether an identified asset exists and if the Company has the right to control the use of the identified asset. The Company enters into lease arrangements primarily for buildings and vehicles.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASU 016-02, Leases (Topic 842), including all subsequent related updates. This standard requires lessees to recognize, for all operating leases with initial terms greater than twelve months, right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company elected to account for leases with initial terms of 12 months or less as straight-line expense and not record assets or liabilities.

Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement of the agreement. ROU assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payment made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received. The lease liability is based on the present value of its unpaid minimum lease payments over the lease term, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate which is the rate we pay to borrow on a collateralized basis. In determining the minimum amount of its lease payments, the Company elected to not separate lease and non-lease components, instead treating this as one component of lease payments in measuring its lease liabilities for all classes of assets.

Most leases include one or more options to extend or terminate the lease, however, for purposes of calculating the lease liabilities, lease terms are deemed not to include options to extend or terminate the lease until it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The two components of operating lease expense, amortization and interest, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a single expense element within sales, general and administrative costs on the consolidated statements of operations. For finance leases, interest on the accrued lease liability is recognized in interest expense and amortization of ROU assets is recognized as depreciation expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

Level 1   Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

 

Level 2   Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

Level 3   Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Risk and Uncertainties

As a provider to the oil and gas industry, the Company’s revenue, profitability, and future growth are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil and natural gas, which are dependent upon numerous factors beyond its control such as economic, political and regulatory developments, and

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

competition from other energy sources. The energy markets have historically been volatile and there can be no assurance that oil and natural gas prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future.

A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Other risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company in the current price environment include, but are not limited to, counterparty credit risk for its receivables, access to credit markets and ability to meet financial ratios and covenants in its financing agreements.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related primarily to its cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Substantially all of the Company’s cash is deposited in high credit quality financial institutions. In addition, the Company grants credit under normal payment terms, generally without collateral, to its customers. Consequently, the Company is subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and economic factors throughout the United States as a result of uncertain economic and financial market conditions that have existed in recent years.

The Company has no customers accounting for more than 10% of its accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended. The Company has no customers and one customer accounting for more than 10% of its revenue as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which replaces the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade accounts receivable.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, the Company applied a probable initial recognition threshold in determining its allowance for doubtful accounts. Management would periodically review its trade accounts receivable for collectability, establishing an allowance as necessary for past due accounts for which no payments had been received, customer delinquency or dispute notices had arisen, or other circumstances indicating potential for non-payment or loss were identified. With the adoption of ASC 326 and application of the CECL methodology, the Company applies a forward-looking estimate of all credit losses expected over the contractual term of its trade accounts receivable positions as they arise, considering customer credit profiles, historical loss experience, economic conditions in the industry, and financial stability of its customer base.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Results for periods beginning after January 1, 2023, are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The adoption of

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

ASC 326 did not hold an impact to the previously determined allowance for doubtful accounts as of January 1, 2023.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In March 2024, FASB issued ASU No. 2024-01, “Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards.” ASU 2024-01 provides an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718. ASU 2024-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-01 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

3. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 11,102      $ 10,263  

Work in process

     6,789        5,277  

Finished goods

     28,397        28,501  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Inventories

   $ 46,288      $ 44,041  

 

 

4. Property, plant and equipment, net

Fixed assets and related accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

     
      2023     2022  

Plant and equipment

   $ 26,212     $ 20,908  

Motor vehicles

     172       522  

Office equipment

     2,329       2,170  

Leasehold improvements

     3,151       2,759  

Construction in process

     2,589       1,272  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

     34,453       27,630  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (20,279     (16,202
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 14,174     $ 11,428  

 

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $4,416 and $3,416, respectively.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

5. Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets and related accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

     
      2023     2022  

Patents

   $ 38     $ 38  

Customer relationships

     8,800       8,800  

Developed technology

     470       470  

Trade name

     570       570  

Backlog

     700       700  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     10,578       10,578  

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (8,056     (6,624
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2,522     $ 3,954  

 

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,432 and $1,441, respectively. Estimated amortization expense in future years is summarized as follows:

 

   

Years Ended December 31,

  

2024

   $ 1,298  

2025

     527  

2026

     494  

2027

     127  

2028

     76  
  

 

 

 
   $ 2,522  

 

 

6. Goodwill

The following table summarizes the goodwill balance as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

       
      Goodwill      Accumulated
Impairment Losses
     Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2021

   $ 7,410      $      $ 7,410  

Additions to goodwill

                    

Goodwill impairment

                    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 7,410      $      $ 7,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additions to goodwill

                    

Goodwill impairment

                    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 7,410      $      $ 7,410  

 

 

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

7. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Goods received not invoiced

   $ 1,587      $ 3,507  

Accrued payroll & payroll related

     5,596        4,602  

Taxes payable

     3,132        3,528  

Other accrued liabilities

     1,888        3,328  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued liabilities

   $ 12,203      $ 14,964  

 

 

Taxes payable consist of amounts owed for obligations under sales & use tax arrangements, property taxes and applicable state income taxes.

8. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

Notes payable and long-term debt as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Asset-based line of credit

   $ 1,200      $ 6,360  

Term notes

     23,350        23,350  

Promissory notes

            301  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     24,550        30,011  

Less: Current maturities

            (301
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

   $ 24,550      $ 29,710  

 

 

Scheduled principal repayments of the Company’s debt obligations are summarized as follows:

 

   

Years Ended December 31,

  

2024

   $  

2025

     24,550  

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 
   $ 24,550  

 

 

Long-term Debt

On September 14, 2020, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a financial institution which provided the Company with an asset-based line of credit and term notes. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to a maximum borrowing capacity of $46,000 and is set to mature September 14, 2025. Also within this amendment, the Company transitioned from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The Credit Agreement contains a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio restrictive covenant for which the Company must maintain a minimum ratio of 1.00 to 1.00. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains a number of customary covenants which limit the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, make acquisitions, or engage in certain asset dispositions. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

The asset-based line of credit and the term notes are both components of the credit agreement. The borrowing capacity available on the asset-based line of credit is measured at 85% of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, 85% of eligible inventory, 85% of eligible machinery & equipment and 75% of the fair market value of eligible real estate. As of December 31, 2023, the line of credit interest was 7.375%. Available capacity on the asset-based line of credit as of December 31, 2023 was $21,450 based on the Company’s receivable, inventory and fixed asset positions as of the balance sheet date, respectively.

The term notes have the same maturity as the asset-based line of credit and bear interest at a rate that is based upon the average excess availability as a percentage of the asset-based line of credit. As of December 31, 2023, the term note interest was 7.375%

Shareholder Promissory Notes

The Company, along with certain shareholders, entered into promissory notes for share repurchases. The notes bore interest equal to the Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal’s “Money Rates”. The principal balance and accrued but unpaid interest of the note was payable in equal annual installments with the remaining balance paid and settled by the Company upon maturity on December 1, 2023. The Shareholder Promissory Notes balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0 and $301, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, interest expense on the share promissory notes totaled $26 and $49, respectively.

9. Members’ Equity

The Company’s third amended and restated operating agreement dated as of June 17, 2017, (the “Operating Agreement”) provide for various classes of membership interests. Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, the membership interests are transferable; however, transfers are subject to obtaining the prior written consent of the Company, with certain exceptions for transfers to affiliated parties. An investor’s capital interest is comprised of Class A or B Units. The Class A Units have voting rights, while the Class B Units are non-voting. The Class A and B Units are otherwise economically identical. Class A and B Units entitle the respective members to receive distributions, pro rata to the combined sharing ratios of Class A and Class B.

Such distributions are subject to dilution from two classes of profits interests, called Class C Units and the Class C Tranche, which are non-voting. Holders of Class C Units and holders of the Class C Tranche are entitled to receive distributions after the Class A and B members achieve certain returns thresholds. The various members’ units do not entitle their holders to any conversion rights or redemption rights. Distributions are reflected in the consolidated statements of changes in equity when declared by the board of managers.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

10. Leases

The following table presents components of lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Components of lease expense

     

Finance lease cost

     

Amortization of right-of-use assets

   $ 1,544      $ 1,262  

Interest on lease liabilities

     257        121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finance lease cost

     1,801        1,383  

Operating lease cost

     2,577        2,180  

Short-term lease cost

     622        728  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease cost

   $ 5,000      $ 4,291  

 

 

The following presents other supplemental information related to the Company’s leases as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      2023      2022  

Other supplemental information

     

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

     

Operating cash outflows for operating leases

   $ 2,582      $ 2,039  

Operating cash outflows for finance leases

     239        117  

Financing cash outflows for finance leases

     2,162        1,657  

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations

     

Operating leases

   $ 648      $ 4,840  

Finance leases

     4,305        2,334  

Weighted-average remaining lease terms

     

Operating leases

     3.0 years        3.7 years  

Finance leases

     2.3 years        2.2 years  

Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases

     5.0%        4.7%  

Weighted-average discount rate for finance leases

     7.6%        5.2%  

 

 

 

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

The following table summarizes the future maturity of operating and finance leases as of December 31, 2023:

 

     
      Operating
Leases
     Finance
Leases
 

2024

   $ 2,519      $ 2,884  

2025

     2,271        2,090  

2026

     1,295        989  

2027

     523        3  

2028

     160         

Thereafter

     12         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     6,780        5,966  

Less: Imputed interest

     484        527  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,296      $ 5,439  

 

 

11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessment, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with the recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. Management believes that any potential liabilities arising from these claims and lawsuits would not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company is subject to certain ongoing sales tax audits within the State of Texas for years ranging from 2015 to 2021. The Texas State Comptroller has asserted the Company did not properly determine its amount of sales tax due for the noted years and issued a finding against the Company for underreported taxes, as well as associated penalties and interest. The Company, with the assistance of its external tax advisors, has been working towards a settlement agreement with the Texas State Comptroller and accrued $2,106 and $2,543 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which constitutes its expected settlement amount for the audit period of 2015 to 2021 and an estimated amount for 2022. The actual amount of a negotiated settlement could differ from Management’s estimated exposure.

12. Employee Benefits

The Company participates in a single-employer 401-K plan, which covers substantially all employees of the Company who qualify as to age and length of service. The Company matches up to 6% of wages, subject to IRS limitations. The Company match was $718 and $563 which was recorded within the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

13. Share-Based Compensation

On November 17, 2017, the Company implemented a Profit Units Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company may grant profit units in form of Class C Units to certain Company’s employees. The profit units vest

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

over a service period of three years from the date of the grant for selected employees or at the grant date. Upon occurrence of a change in control transaction, all class C units that have not yet vested shall vest in full. As a change in control transaction was not determined to be probable as of December 31, 2023 or 2022, no additional share-based compensation expense was recognized under this acceleration feature for either of the years then ended.

The Company has the right and not the obligation to repurchase the profit units at fair value in an event of termination of its employee’s (“call option”). The call option is considered non-mandatorily redeemable and not probable.

Total share-based compensation expense recognized in sales, general and administrative expenses in 2023 and 2022 was $ 1,020 and $ 526, respectively.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $ 2,560 and $ 994, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested profit units granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.09 years.

The following table summarizes the Company’s profit units activity during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      Number of
Units
    Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 

Units outstanding at December 31, 2021

     48,965     $ 19.77  

Granted

     11,000      

 

Forfeited

     (1,000    

 

Expired

            
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Units outstanding at December 31, 2022

     58,965     $ 31.65  

Granted

     29,350      

 

Forfeited

     (1,000    

 

Expired

            
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Units outstanding at December 31, 2023

     87,315     $ 50.99  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Vested at December 31, 2023

     48,535     $ 22.11  

 

 

14. Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through April 26, 2024, the date that the consolidated financial statements were originally available to be issued.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2023 and 2022

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Events Subsequent to the Original Issuance of the Financial Statements (Unaudited)

In connection with the reissuance of the financial statements, the Company evaluated subsequent events through August 30, 2024, the date that the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

On June 20, 2024, substantially all of the net assets of Flowco were contributed to Flowco Productions LLC (“Flowco Productions”), a newly formed holding company and wholly owned subsidiary of Flowco.

On June 20, 2024, Flowco MergeCo LLC (“Flowco MergeCo”) entered into a Contribution Agreement with GEC Estis Holdings LLC (parent company of Estis Compression LLC) (“Estis Member”), Flowco and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Member”)(parent company of Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”)) (Estis Member, Flowco and Flogistix Member collectively, the “Members”), pursuant to which, the Members contributed 100% of the direct equity interests of Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Estis Intermediate”), Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Intermediate”) to Flowco MergeCo in exchange for Series A Units of Flowco MergeCo proportionate to the value of the contributed entities. In connection with the transaction, (i) Flowco contributed substantially all of its net assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to Flowco MergeCo, (ii) Estis Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including membership interests in Estis Compression LLC (“Estis”)) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Estis Intermediate to Flowco MergeCo, and (iii) Flogistix Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix) to Flogistix Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flogistix Intermediate to Flowco MergeCo. The purpose of Flowco MergeCo is to directly, or indirectly through subsidiaries or joint ventures, carry on the business activities of each of the contributed entities, including production optimization and related oilfield services business lines.

On August 20, 2024, Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, and other loan parties entered into a first lien credit agreement which provides for a $700 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement borrowings were used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under our prior credit agreement disclosed within note 8.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

     
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    March 31,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,878      $ 944  

Trade accounts receivables, net

     45,964        42,997  

Inventories

     46,891        46,288  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,449        1,455  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     96,182        91,684  

Property and equipment, net

     15,762        14,174  

Finance lease right-of-use assets, net

     6,450        6,596  

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

     5,484        6,067  

Intangible assets, net

     2,191        2,522  

Goodwill

     7,410        7,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 133,479      $ 128,453  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Members’ Equity

     

Current liabilities

     

Current portion of long-term debt

   $      $  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     2,524        2,552  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     2,216        2,269  

Accounts payable

     11,726        8,616  

Accrued liabilities

     12,946        12,203  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     29,412        25,640  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     27,310        24,550  

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

     2,783        2,887  

Operating lease obligations, net of current portion

     3,492        4,027  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     62,997        57,104  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)

     

Members’ equity

     

Unlimited Class A Units, no par value and 95,267,902 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023

             

Unlimited Class B Units, no par value and 12,064,621 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023

             

Unlimited Class C Units, no par value and 86,515 and 87,315 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023, respectively.

             

Additional paid-in-capital

     32,113        31,774  

Retained Earnings

     38,369        39,575  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total members’ equity

     70,482        71,349  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 133,479      $ 128,453  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

   
     Three Months Ended  
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    March 31,
2024
    March 31,
2023
 

Revenues

    

Sales revenue

   $ 49,504     $ 43,611  

Service revenue

     11,134       9,889  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     60,638       53,500  

Operating expenses

    

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, presented separately below)

    

Sales

     26,727       23,801  

Service

     4,624       4,203  

Sales, general and administrative

     16,428       15,345  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,098       1,762  

Loss on sale of assets

     204       73  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     50,081       45,184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     10,557       8,316  

Interest expense

     (671     (452

Other income

     8       8  

Other expense

     (138     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     9,756       7,864  

Income tax expense

     (188     (153
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 9,568     $ 7,711  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

             
(Amounts in thousands of
U.S. dollars, except units
data)
  Class A Units     Class B Units     Class C Units    

Additional
Paid-in

Capital

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Members’

Equity

 
  Units     Amount     Units     Amount     Units     Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2023

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       87,315     $     $ 31,774     $ 39,575     $ 71,349  

Distribution to members

                                              (10,774     (10,774

Net income

                                              9,568       9,568  

Share-based compensation

                            (800           339             339  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at March 31, 2024

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       86,515     $     $ 32,113     $ 38,369     $ 70,482  

 

 
    Class A Units     Class B Units     Class C Units     Additional
Paid-in

Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Members’
Equity
 
     Units     Amount     Units     Amount     Units     Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2022

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       58,965     $     $ 29,968     $ 32,575     $ 62,543  

Distribution to members

                                              (4,988     (4,988

Net income

                                              7,711       7,711  

Share-based Compensation

                                        133             133  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at March 31, 2023

    95,267,902     $       12,064,621     $       58,965     $     $ 30,101     $ 35,298     $ 65,399  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   
     Three Months Ended  
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except units data)    March 31,
2024
    March 31,
2023
 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 9,568     $ 7,711  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,098       1,762  

Amortization of ROU operating lease assets

     585       552  

Bad debt expense

           5  

Share-based compensation

     339       133  

Inventory obsolescence expense

     90       244  

Loss on sale of assets

     204       73  

Foreign currency translation loss

           8  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Accounts receivable

     (2,968     (107

Inventories

     (693     (6,078

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6       5,239  

Operating lease liabilities

     (590     (550

Accounts payable

     3,269       3,034  

Accrued liabilities

     586       (1,897
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     12,494       10,129  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (2,893     (765

Proceeds from sale on property, plant and equipment

     68       133  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) investing activities

     (2,825     (632
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from debt

     15,080       23,120  

Payments on debt

     (12,320     (27,160

Payments on finance lease

     (721     (458

Distributions to members

     (10,774     (4,988
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (8,735     (9,486
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     934       11  

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Beginning of year

     944       848  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 1,878     $ 859  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash investing & financing activities

    

Finance lease additions

   $ 743     $ 369  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization

Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. (“Flowco” or the “Company”) was formed as a Texas Limited Liability Company and maintains its principal office in Houston, Texas. The Company includes consolidated subsidiaries in the United States and Canada, and it provides artificial lift products, which offer early intervention and long-term solutions for enhanced oil and gas recovery.

Basis of Presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in U.S. dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024 or for any other future annual or three months ended. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures including certain notes required by GAAP on an annual reporting basis.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and are supplemented by the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this report. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are adjusted to reflect actual experience when necessary. Significant estimates reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to fair value of goodwill, useful life fixed assets and intangible assets, inventory allowance, allowance for credit losses, share-based

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

compensation, and estimation of contingencies. The Company assesses estimates on an ongoing basis, however, actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In March 2024, FASB issued ASU No. 2024-01, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards.” ASU 2024-01 provides an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718. ASU 2024-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-01 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Customer Concentration

The Company has no customers accounting for more than 10% of its accounts receivable as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. The Company has no customers and one customer accounting for more than 10% of its revenue for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable is comprised of receivables from the sales of products and provisioning of services, which are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the Company’s allowance for credit losses was $450 and $309, respectively. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is adequate; however, changes in circumstances relating to accounts receivable may result in a requirement for additional allowances in the future.

The following table summarizes the change in the accounts receivables allowance for credit losses:

 

   
     March 31,  
      2024     2023  

Beginning balance

   $ (340   $ (313

Reversal of allowance for credit losses

           5  

Allowance for credit losses

     (110     (1
  

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ (450   $ (309

 

 

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

Geographical Information

The following table summarizes revenue by geographical area:

 

   
     Three Months Ended  
      March 31,
2024
     March 31,
2023
 

United States

   $ 58,581      $ 51,647  

International

     2,057        1,853  
  

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 60,638      $ 53,500  

 

 

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $155 and $48 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, respectively. Advertising costs are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

2. Inventories

Inventories as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

 

     
      March 31,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 11,687      $ 11,102  

Work in process

     6,979        6,789  

Finished goods

     28,225        28,397  
  

 

 

 
   $ 46,891      $ 46,288  

 

 

3. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

Notes payable and long-term debt as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

 

     
      March 31,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Asset-based line of credit

   $ 3,960      $ 1,200  

Term notes

     23,350        23,350  
  

 

 

 

Total debt

     27,310        24,550  

Less: Current maturities

             
  

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

   $ 27,310      $ 24,550  

 

 

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

Future minimum principal repayments of the Company’s debt obligations will consist of the following:

 

   
      Amount  

Remainder of 2024

   $  

2025

     27,310  

Thereafter

      
  

 

 

 
   $ 27,310  

 

 

Long-term Debt

On September 14, 2020, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a financial institution which provided the Company with an asset-based line of credit and term notes. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to a maximum borrowing capacity of $46,000 and is set to mature September 14, 2025. Also within this amendment, the Company transitioned from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).

The Credit Agreement contains a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio restrictive covenant for which the Company must maintain a minimum ratio of 1.00 to 1.00. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains a number of customary covenants which limit the Company’s ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, make acquisitions, or engage in certain asset dispositions. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

The asset-based line of credit and the term notes are both components of the Credit Agreement. The borrowing capacity available on the asset-based line of credit is measured at 85% of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, 85% of eligible inventory, 85% of eligible machinery & equipment and 75% of the fair market value of eligible real estate. As of March 31, 2024, the line of credit interest was 7.375%. Available capacity on the asset based line of credit as of March 31, 2024 was $18,690 based on the Company’s receivable, inventory and fixed asset positions as of the balance sheet date, respectively.

The term notes have the same maturity as the asset-based line of credit and bear interest at a rate that is based upon the average excess availability as a percentage of the asset-based line of credit. As of March 31, 2024, the term note interest was 7.375%

4. Share Based Compensation

On November 17, 2017, the Company implemented a Profit Units Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company may grant profit units in form of Class C Units to certain Company’s employees. The profit units vest over a service period of three years from the date of the grant for selected employees or at the grant date.

Total share-based compensation expense recognized in sales, general and administrative expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023 was $339 and $133, respectively.

For the three month periods ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, there was $2,221 and $817, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested profit units granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.89 years.

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

As of March 31, 2024, there were 86,515 Class C units outstanding with a weighted average grant date fair value of $51.47 per unit. No Class C units were granted or expired, and 800 units were forfeited during the three month period ended March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2023, there were 58,965 Class C units outstanding with a weighted average grant date fair value of $31.65 per unit. No Class C units were granted, forfeited or expired during the three month period ended March 31, 2023.

5. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessment, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with the recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, Contingencies. Management believes that any potential liabilities arising from these claims and lawsuits would not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company is subject to certain ongoing sales tax audits within the State of Texas for years ranging from 2015 to 2021. The Texas State Comptroller has asserted the Company did not properly determine its amount of sales tax due for the noted years and issued a finding against the Company for underreported taxes, as well as associated penalties and interest. The Company, with the assistance of its external tax advisors, has been working towards a settlement agreement with the Texas State Comptroller and accrued $2,106 and $2,543 as of March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, respectively, which constitutes its expected settlement amount for the audit period of 2015 to 2021 and an estimated amount for 2022. The actual amount of a negotiated settlement could differ from Management’s estimated exposure.

6. Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through August 30, 2024, the date that the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were available to be issued.

On June 20, 2024, substantially all of the net assets of Flowco were contributed to Flowco Productions LLC (“Flowco Productions”), a newly formed holding company and wholly owned subsidiary of Flowco.

On June 20, 2024, Flowco MergeCo LLC (“Flowco MergeCo”) entered into a Contribution Agreement with GEC Estis Holdings LLC (parent company of Estis Compression LLC) (“Estis Member”), Flowco and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Member”)(parent company of Flogistix, LP (“Flogistix”)) (Estis Member, Flowco and Flogistix Member collectively, the “Members”), pursuant to which, the Members contributed 100% of the direct equity interests of Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Estis Intermediate”), Flowco Productions and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Flogistix Intermediate”) to Flowco MergeCo in exchange for Series A Units of Flowco MergeCo proportionate to the value of the contributed entities. In connection with the transaction, (i) Flowco contributed substantially all of its net assets to Flowco Productions immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flowco Productions to Flowco MergeCo, (ii) Estis Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including membership interests in Estis Compression LLC (“Estis”) to Estis Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the

 

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Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

membership interests of Estis Intermediate to Flowco MergeCo, and (iii) Flogistix Member also contributed substantially all of its net assets (including the equity interests in Flogistix GP, LLC and Flogistix) to Flogistix Intermediate immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination and the contribution of the membership interests of Flogistix Intermediate to Flowco MergeCo. The purpose of Flowco MergeCo is to directly, or indirectly through subsidiaries or joint ventures, carry on the business activities of each of the contributed entities, including production optimization and related oilfield services business lines.

On August 20, 2024, Flowco Productions, Estis Intermediate and Flogistix Intermediate, as borrowers, and other loan parties entered into a first lien credit agreement which provides for a $700 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement borrowings were used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under our prior credit agreement disclosed within note 3.

 

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HTML Link

LOGO

 

  

 

 

GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

211 N. Robinson, Suite 1200

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

 

D  +1 405 218 2800

F +1 405 218 2801

  

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

  

Board of Directors

Flogistix, LP

 

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Flogistix, LP (a Texas limited partnership) and subsidiaries (the “Partnership”), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in partners’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audits of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

 

Responsibilities of management for the financial statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

 

 

GT.COM

  

 

 

Grant Thornton LLP is a U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and each of its member firms are separate legal entities and are not a worldwide partnership.

 

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LOGO   
  

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Partnership’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date the financial statements are available to be issued.

 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with US GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In performing an audit in accordance with US GAAS, we:

 

•  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

•  Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Partnership’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

 

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.

 

LOGO

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

April 5, 2024

 

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Flogistix, LP

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

   
     As of December 31,  
      2023      2022  

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash

   $ 2,610      $ 1,614  

Accounts receivable, net

     29,516        19,343  

Inventories, net

     78,705        55,900  

Other current assets

     1,005        971  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     111,836        77,828  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     243,890        182,355  

Goodwill

     7,553        7,553  

Intangible assets, net

     11,934        13,496  

Note receivable—related party (includes interest receivable from officer of $295 and $211 as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively)

     2,254        2,121  

Right-of-use operating assets, net

     11,003        13,329  

Other assets, net

     3,090        3,927  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 391,560      $ 300,609  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY

  

Current liabilities:

  

Book overdraft

   $ 5,386      $ 2,579  

Accounts payable

     10,066        16,239  

Accrued liabilities

     8,250        5,712  

Deferred revenue

     4,691        2,182  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     3,582        3,202  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     1,381        2,081  
  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     33,356        31,995  

Long-term debt

     194,830        131,065  

Non-current portion of operating lease obligations

     7,489        10,211  

Non-current portion of finance lease obligations

     5,113        2,183  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     240,788        175,454  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Partners’ equity:

     

General partner interest

     15        13  

Limited partner interest

     150,757        125,142  
  

 

 

 

Total partners’ equity

     150,772        125,155  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 391,560      $ 300,609  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands)

 

   
     For the years ended
December 31,
 
      2023     2022  

Revenues

    

Field services revenue

   $ 120,183     $ 89,297  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales revenue

     58,270       38,285  

Aftermarket part sales and services revenue

     13,179       10,277  

Other revenue

     888       528  
  

 

 

 

Total revenues

     192,520       138,387  
  

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

    

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, reflected below)

    

Cost of field services revenue

     43,401       32,530  

Cost of compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     41,517       29,849  

Cost of aftermarket part sales and services

     9,931       8,095  

Cost of other revenue

     934       643  
  

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

     95,783       71,117  
  

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     26,690       21,624  

Depreciation and amortization

     30,016       23,255  
  

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     152,489       115,996  
  

 

 

 

Operating income

     40,031       22,391  

Other income (expense), net

    

Other income, net

     203       2,650  

Interest expense

     (14,743     (5,714
  

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (14,540     (3,064
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 25,491     $ 19,327  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity

(in thousands)

 

     

General
partner

interest

     Limited partner
interest
    

Total
partners’

equity

 

Balance as of January 1, 2022

   $ 11      $ 105,701      $ 105,712  

Share-based compensation

     —         116        116  

Net income

     2        19,325        19,327  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 13      $ 125,142      $ 125,155  

Share-based compensation

     —         126        126  

Net income

     2        25,489        25,491  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 15      $ 150,757      $ 150,772  

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

   
     Years Ended December 31,  
        2023       2022  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 25,491     $ 19,327  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     30,016       23,255  

Share-based compensation

     126       116  

Amortization of loan origination fees

     714       382  

Gain on sale of assets, net

     (46     (379

Provision (release) for expected credit losses

     (70     57  

Other

     149       (267

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (10,103     (7,854

Inventories

     (22,954     (24,636

Interest receivable from affiliate

     (84     (75

Other assets

     (91     (479

Accounts payable

     (6,173     10,021  

Accrued liabilities

     2,538       1,852  

Deferred revenue

     2,509       1,662  
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     22,022       22,982  

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases and manufacturing of property, plant, and equipment

     (84,561     (56,151

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant, and equipment

     46       472  

Payments for intangible assets

     (231     (264
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (84,746     (55,943

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Change in book overdraft

     2,807       647  

Payments on finance leases

     (2,815     (2,230

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

     253,380       179,802  

Payments on revolving line of credit

     (189,615     (140,750

Debt issuance costs

     165       (3,079

Proceeds from affiliate on note receivable

     271        

Payments to affiliate on note receivable

     (320     (100

Other

     (153     (151
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     63,720       34,139  

Net increase in cash

     996       1,178  

Cash at beginning of period

     1,614       436  
  

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

   $ 2,610     $ 1,614  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

    

Interest paid

   $ 13,780     $ 4,952  

Operating lease right-of-use assets recognized

     752       1,800  

Finance lease right-of-use assets recognized

     4,989       3,200  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

NOTE 1—DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Flogistix, LP (the “Partnership”) is a Texas limited partnership in the business of capturing natural gas from tanks and other production equipment for its customers primarily through providing natural gas compression equipment and services, along with improving natural gas and crude oil production. On December 12, 2014, WDE Flogistix Aggregate, LLC (“WDE”) and certain managers of the Partnership purchased 100% of Flogistix Holdings, LLC which owns the interests in the limited and general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership interests are allotted 99.99% to the limited partner and 0.01% to the general partner. The Partnership’s headquarters and primary administrative offices are in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and its manufacturing facilities are located in Pampa, Texas, El Reno, Oklahoma and Gillette, Wyoming. The Partnership provides services in the Mid Continent of Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, the Bakken Shale formation in North Dakota, the Eagle Ford Shale formation in South Texas, the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico, the Marcellus-Utica Shale in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and throughout the Rocky Mountains (Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah).

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Flogistix ULC, Flogistix Global OBU LLC, and Flogistix De Mexico. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net earnings.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of the reported balances of assets, liabilities, and equity at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period then ended. The estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions and such differences could be material to the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those related to, allowances for expected credit losses, estimated useful lives assigned to long-lived assets, and impairment of long-lived assets including goodwill.

Segment Information

We identify our operating and reportable segments in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, which stipulates use of a “management approach” whereby external segment reporting aligns with internal reporting and is reflective of how management organizes its segments for making operating decisions and

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

assessing performance. Management evaluated how the Partnership’s chief operating decision maker has organized the entity, concluding that the Partnership’s operations are organized into three reportable segments: (i) Field Services, (ii) Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales, and (iii) Aftermarket Part Sales and Services. Refer to Note 13—“Segment and Geographic Information” for further discussion.

Cash

The Partnership considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less upon purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, we did not hold any cash equivalents. Our cash balance consists of cash held in banks.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable from sales and rentals of compressors, equipment, and services are based on contracted prices. Normal accounts receivable are due 30 days after the issuance of the invoice. The Partnership assesses the credit risk of its customers based on payment history, current payment patterns, and an assessment of the customer’s ability to pay outstanding balances. The Partnership monitors accounts receivable for delinquency and provides for estimated losses for specific receivables that are not likely to be collected. Additionally, accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivables previously written off are recorded when received.

Accounts receivables are presented net of an allowance for expected credit losses, which amounted to $45 and $37 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

A majority of the Partnership’s principal customers operate or provide services in the oil and gas production industry, which has been susceptible to swings in economic cycles. Collateral normally is not required for credit extended, in the form of accounts receivable, to the Partnership’s customers. Therefore, in the normal course of business, the Partnership is exposed to credit risk resulting from the possibility that a loss may occur due to failure of another party, and specifically our most major customers, to perform according to the terms of their contract. Major customers are defined as those comprising more than 10% of the Partnership’s consolidated annual revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Partnership had three major customer that accounted for 36.7% of the annual consolidated revenue and accounted for 23.7% of the accounts receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Partnership had one major customer that accounted for 10.4% of the annual consolidated revenue and accounted for 17.4% of the accounts receivable. The following table disaggregates the amounts and percentages attributed to each major customer for the periods presented:

 

      Revenue     

Percentage
of Total

Revenue

    

Accounts

Receivable

    

Percentage of
Total Accounts

Receivable

 
December 31, 2023                            

Major Customer A

           

Field services

   $ 2,106        1.1%      $ 708        2.5%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     589        0.3%        76        0.3%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     25,642        13.3%        1,188        4.1%  

Other

     33        0.0%        6        0.0%  
  

 

 

 

Total Major Customer A

   $ 28,370        14.7%      $ 1,978        6.9%  

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

      Revenue     

Percentage
of Total

Revenue

    

Accounts

Receivable

    

Percentage of
Total Accounts

Receivable

 

Major Customer B

           

Field services

   $ 7,503        3.9%      $ 520        1.8%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     3,726        1.9%        539        1.9%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     9,920        5.2%        4,010        13.9%  

Other

     140        0.0%        24        0.1%  
  

 

 

 

Total Major Customer B

   $ 21,289        11.0%      $ 5,093        17.7%  

Major Customer C

           

Field services

   $ 20,774        10.8%      $ 75        0.2%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     339        0.2%        33        0.1%  

Other

     27        0.0%        0        0.0%  
  

 

 

 

Total Major Customer C

   $ 21,140        11.0%      $ 108        0.3%  
December 31, 2022                            

Major Customer A

  

Field services

   $ 2,692        2.0%      $ 251        1.4%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     172        0.1%        18        0.1%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     11,556        8.3%        2,867        15.9%  

Other

     7        0.0%        2        0.0%  
  

 

 

 

Total Major Customer A

   $ 14,427        10.4%      $ 3,138        17.4%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additionally, the Partnership’s cash balances may at times be in excess of federally insured amounts. The Partnership has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk in such accounts.

The Partnership continually monitors its credit risk exposure and concentrations.

Inventories, Net

Inventories consist of newly manufactured compressor units to be sold, work in progress, component parts, and raw materials. The Partnership uses average cost in determining the costs assigned to its inventory, which are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the underlying asset. The estimated useful lives assigned to each asset class are derived through a variety of factors, including but not limited to the durability and expected usage of the asset, and are as follows:

 

   
Asset Classification    Estimated Useful Life

Land

   Unlimited

Buildings and leasehold improvements

   20 - 40 years

Rental compressors

   15 years

Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment

   7 years

Shop equipment

   5 years

Vehicles

   5 years

Computers, computer equipment, and software

   3 years

Methane detection equipment

   3 years

 

Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Property, plant, and equipment construction in progress consists of auxiliary projects and leasehold improvements, which are not depreciated until placed into service. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, property, plant, and equipment construction in progress was $1,192 and $1,060, respectively.

Internally Developed Software

Certain direct development costs associated with internally developed software are capitalized. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage for internal software programs are expensed as incurred, whereas costs incurred during the development stage of new software and for upgrades and enhancements for existing software programs that result in additional functionality are capitalized. Subsequent to capitalization, internally developed software is amortized over its estimated useful life through depreciation and amortization on the statement of operations. Impairment charges are taken as a result of circumstances that indicate that the carrying values of the assets are not fully recoverable. The Partnership recognized internally developed software amortization expense of $1,791 and $1,127 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Our construction in progress balance consists primarily of internally developed software, which is not amortized until placed into service. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the internally developed software construction in progress balance was $2,758 and $6,607, respectively.

Leases

We determine whether an arrangement is or contains a lease and establish assumptions related to classification and measurement at contract inception based on ASC 842. If it is determined that a lease exists, we recognize a right-of-use asset and liability on the commencement date based on the present value of minimum lease

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

payments over the lease term. As an accounting policy election, the Partnership does not include leases equal to or less than 12 months on our balance sheet. As the discount rate implicit in the lease is typically undeterminable, the Partnership utilizes the incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate we pay to borrow on a collateralized basis. The Partnership applies the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from lease components, but to allocate consideration to a single lease component.

Refer to Note 9—“Leases” for further discussion of our operating and finance leases recognized under ASC 842.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Management reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment, for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets (collectively referred to as “the asset”) may not be recoverable. Such events and circumstances may include significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in asset use, significant negative industry or economic trends, and significant changes in the Partnership’s business strategy. When such events or circumstances exist, the recoverability of the asset’s carrying value is determined by estimating the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is measured and recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. No such impairment occurred in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of our products or services to our customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring products or providing services to our customers. Total revenues do not include sales taxes collected from customers as the Partnership is simply a conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes between customers and the relevant taxing authorities. Upon contract commencement, the Partnership evaluates the rental agreements to determine if they meet criteria set forth in lease accounting guidance for classification as sales-type leases or direct financing leases; if a rental agreement meets none of these criteria, the Partnership classifies it as an operating lease. The Partnership has assessed these agreements in accordance with ASC 842, and based on the assessment of the lease classification criteria, all rental agreements have been classified as operating leases. As such, the underlying assets remain on our balance sheet and are depreciated consistently with other owned assets, with income recognized as it is earned over the term of the lease agreement. The Partnership’s rental agreements generally include lease and non-lease components where the timing and pattern of transfer are the same and the Partnership has elected the practical expedient in accordance with ASC 842-10-15-42A to combine all lease and non-lease components as a single component. The Partnership has determined that the non-lease service component is the predominant component of the rental agreement and therefore, has accounted for these transactions as a single performance obligation under ASC 606. Refer to Note 11—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for further discussion.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Income Taxes

The entity is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Partnership earnings are not subject to the federal corporate income tax, rather, items of profit and loss, as well as tax credits and loss carryforwards, are allocated to the partners of the Partnership for inclusion in their individual and fiduciary income tax returns.

The entity is subject to state franchise tax in Texas. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded Texas franchise tax expense to other income, net, of $73 and $26, respectively.

Uncertain tax positions are recognized in the financial statements only if that position will more-likely- than-not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company has not recorded a reserve for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Partnership files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. The Partnership’s income tax returns for 2019 through 2023 remain open to examination by the applicable taxing authorities.

Advertising Costs

The Partnership expenses its advertising costs as incurred and include direct marketing events, public relations, and sales and collateral materials, which amounted to $909 and $612 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Advertising costs are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Loan Origination Fees

Loan origination fees are costs incurred in relation to obtaining the Partnership’s revolving line of credit. These costs are amortized over the life of the related agreement using the straight-line method. The amortization of these costs is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Such costs are capitalized and included in other assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The Partnership utilizes fair value measurements to measure assets and liabilities in a business combination or to assess impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill. Fair value is defined as the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Further, ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and includes certain disclosure requirements. Fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk.

ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 —Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Level 2 —Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 —Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (including the Partnership’s own assumptions in determining fair value).

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The Partnership does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities as may be acquired in a business combination and measurements of goodwill and intangible impairment. As there is no corroborating market activity to support the assumptions used, the Partnership has designated these measurements as Level 3. The Partnership’s estimates of fair value have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant information. These estimates involve uncertainty and cannot be determined with precision. Refer to additional discussion on the impairment analysis for goodwill at Note 6—“Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net.”

The carrying values of the Partnership’s financial instruments of cash, accounts receivable, note receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and long-term debt under its revolving credit facility approximates their carrying amounts due to their short maturity or market interest rates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaces the current incurred loss methodology for expected loss methodology, resulting in more timely recognition of loss on financial instruments not accounted for at fair value through net income. The provision requires credit impairment to be measured over the contractual life of an asset and developed with consideration for past events, current conditions, and forecast of future economic information. Credit impairments will be accounted for as an allowance for credit losses deducted from the amortized cost basis at each reporting date. Updates at each reporting date after initial adoption will be recorded through selling, general, and administrative expense.

On January 1, 2023, the Partnership adopted ASC 326, expected loss methodology, which was applied to trade receivables, certain financing receivables, and standby letters of credit. Adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 provides accounting guidance to improve the disclosures about an entity’s

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

reportable segments and address requests from investors for additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods after December 15, 2024. As this guidance impacts disclosures only, the partnership expects no impact to the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

NOTE 3—NOTE RECEIVABLE—RELATED PARTY

As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership holds a note receivable for $1,959, which is due from BMT Investment Partners, Ltd. (“BMT”), an entity managed by an officer and director of the Partnership. The note is classified as long-term as the maturity date shall be the earliest to occur of (i) a sale of Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Holder”), which shall include any merger, consolidation, or transfer of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding membership interest or assets of Holder, or a sale of substantially all of the assets of Flogistix, LP, a subsidiary of Holder, (ii) the date that is six months following receipt of written notice from Holder that this note is due and payable, or (iii) August 5, 2026 (“Maturity Date Events”). The carrying amount of the note is captured in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet in Note receivable from affiliate. The note is collateralized by BMT’s interest in the Partnership and a personal guarantee.

The note accrues interest at 4.0% and is also due at the earliest of the Maturity Date Events to occur. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, accrued interest receivable was $295 and $211, respectively, which is included in note receivable—related party within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $84 and $78, respectively.

NOTE 4—INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

   
     December 31,  
      2023      2022  

Parts and raw materials

   $ 70,618      $ 47,185  

Work in process

     6,486        8,646  

Finished goods

     1,601        69  
  

 

 

 

Total inventories, net

   $ 78,705      $ 55,900  

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

   
     December 31,  
      2023      2022  

Land

   $ 144      $ 144  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     7,892        6,154  

Rental compressors

     324,924        251,363  

Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment

     720        599  

Methane detection equipment

     1,669        1,520  

Shop equipment

     10,459        7,642  

Computers, computer equipment, and software

     15,960        8,533  

Construction in progress

     1,192        1,060  

Construction in progress—internally developed software (Note 6)

     2,758        6,607  

Vehicles under finance lease

     15,365        10,961  

Vehicles owned

     2,399        1,125  
  

 

 

 

Total cost

     383,482        295,708  

Less accumulated depreciation

     139,592        113,353  
  

 

 

 

Total property, plant, and equipment, net

   $ 243,890      $ 182,355  

 

 

Depreciation expense for property, plant, and equipment was $25,300 and $19,227 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Accumulated depreciation of rental compressors included in total accumulated depreciation was $113,187 and $93,633 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Accumulated amortization of vehicles under finance leases included in total accumulated depreciation was $9,098 and $6,966 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 6—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed under the transaction. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually on December 31 or more often if events or circumstances indicate the balance might be impaired. In performing the goodwill impairment analysis, the Partnership first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our business is less than its carrying value. This qualitative assessment, whether performed annually or based on specific events or circumstances, considers various factors, including but not limited to severe adverse industry or economic trends, significant entity-specific actions such as restructuring or exiting a business activity, actual or projected deterioration of financial performance, or a sustained decrease in the Partnership’s market capitalization below its net book value. Specific uncertainties affecting our estimated fair value include the impact of competition, the prices for oil and natural gas, future overall activity levels in the regions in which we operate, the activity levels of our significant customers, and other factors affecting the rate of our future growth. These factors will continue to be reviewed and assessed going forward. Negative developments with regard to these factors could have a further negative effect on our fair value.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

After assessing the totality of events and circumstances, if it is determined it is not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, no further assessment is performed. Conversely, if the Partnership determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Based on the qualitative assessment performed, the Partnership determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Partnership had goodwill of $7,553, allocated across its reporting units. The Partnership has determined that no impairment of goodwill existed at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Accumulated impairment loss was $4,543 as of those same periods ended.

The following table presents the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment as of the periods indicated:

 

         
      Field Services     

Equipment

Sales

    

Aftermarket
Parts and

Sales

    

Consolidated

Total

 

December 31, 2023

   $ 6,186      $ 903      $ 464      $ 7,553  

December 31, 2022

   $ 6,186      $ 903      $ 464      $ 7,553  

 

 

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023:

 

         
      Intangible Assets,
Gross
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Intangible
Assets, Net
    

Weighted-
Average
Remaining

Useful
Life (Years)

 

Trade name

   $ 13,000      $ 6,901      $ 6,099        8.0  

Internally developed software

     1,400        1,400               0.0  

Customer listings

     12,000        7,220        4,780        6.0  

Patents

     1,329        295        1,034        13.2  

Trademarks

     47        26        21        4.0  
  

 

 

    

Total

   $ 27,776      $ 15,842      $ 11,934     

 

 

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2022:

 

         
      Intangible Assets,
Gross
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Intangible
Assets, Net
    

Weighted-
Average
Remaining

Useful
Life (Years)

 

Trade name

   $ 13,000      $ 6,137      $ 6,863        9.0  

Internally developed software

     1,400        1,248        152        1.0  

Customer listings

     12,000        6,420        5,580        7.0  

Patents

     1,098        223        875        14.1  

Trademarks

     47        21        26        5.0  
  

 

 

    

Total

   $ 27,545      $ 14,049      $ 13,496     

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

In addition to the internally developed software the Partnership has placed in service to date, the Partnership carries a balance of internally developed software construction in progress. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $1,793 and $1,778 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Amortization expense in each of the next five years is expected to be as follows:

 

   
      Amount  

Fiscal Year Ending December 31,

  

2024

   $ 1,688  

2025

     1,648  

2026

     1,648  

2027

     1,648  

2028

     1,643  

Thereafter

     3,659  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,934  

 

 

NOTE 7—LONG-TERM DEBT

In January 2011, the Partnership executed a revolving line of credit (the “Credit Agreement”) with a bank. The Credit Agreement is subject to a borrowing base based on specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and rental compressors which also serves as collateral for the line of credit.

Additionally, the Partnership entered into the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in December 2013 and the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in July 2015, both of which served to amend and restate the existing Credit Agreement and to adjust the lending parties’ respective percentage interests in the extension of credit outstanding thereunder.

In July 2019, the Partnership entered into the First Amendment of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a maximum borrowing capacity of $137,500 and includes an additional $75,000 accordion feature.

In December 2022, the Partnership entered into the Third Amendment of the Second Amended Restated Credit Agreement increasing the maximum borrowing capacity to $242,500.

As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership had a borrowing base of $225,927 and related availability of $26,962 that is net of a $4,135 availability reserve for inventory, rental, credit card, and state sales tax obligations. The availability reserve is assessed on a month-to-month basis and functions as a reduction to our related availability, insuring anticipated rent, credit card, and state sales tax liabilities. The facility matures in December 2027 and bears interest at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an applicable spread. Additionally, the frequency of interest payments is based on the interest rate elections made by the Partnership and are typically monthly but can be bimonthly. The weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is 8.28% and 7.22%, respectively.

The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and nonfinancial covenants, including a requirement to maintain certain fixed charge coverage and leverage ratios. As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership is in

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

compliance with said covenants. The revolving line of credit does not have minimum repayment requirements but is due in full upon maturity and is thus classified as noncurrent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Future minimum payments of principal on the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

   
      Amount  

Fiscal Year Ending December 31,

  

2024

   $  

2025

      

2026

      

2027

     194,830  
  

 

 

 

Total payments

   $ 194,830  

 

 

Loan origination fees of $2,723 and $3,602 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are classified within other assets, net and are being amortized over the term of the Partnership’s revolving line of credit which matures in December 2027.

Book overdraft of $5,386 and $2,579, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, will be paid by the revolving line of credit as checks are presented to the bank.

NOTE 8—401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN

The Partnership sponsors a 401(k)-retirement plan that is offered to all eligible employees. To be eligible, an employee must be a full-time employee and have completed one hour of service. Partnership safe harbor contributions to the plan are equal to the sum of 100% of the amount of the employee’s elective deferrals that do not exceed 3% of the employee’s compensation (excluding bonuses), plus 50% of the amount of the employee’s elective deferrals that exceed 3% of the employee’s compensation (excluding bonuses), but do not exceed 5% of the employee’s compensation (excluding bonuses), subject to limitations under the IRC. Partnership contributions to the plan were approximately $1,195 and $822 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 9—LEASES

The Partnership assesses lease arrangements at inception by determining whether the arrangement includes the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. If a lease component is identified, a right-of-use asset and lease liability are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at the Partnership’s incremental rate of borrowing on a collateralized basis. Both operating and finance leases are held by the Partnership. Operating leases are primarily related to our field offices and manufacturing facilities and have remaining terms of 1 to 5 years. Finance leases are related to our service truck fleet and have remaining terms of 1 to 3 years.

The Partnership’s operating and finance lease agreements do not contain any contingent rental payments, material residual guarantees or material restrictive covenants and options to extend or terminate leases are only included if it is reasonably certain to be exercised. As of December 31, 2023, there were no material leases pending commencement or lease transactions with related parties.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

The tables below reflect the amounts related to operating and finance leases, respectively, that are recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

     
      Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheets      2023  

Operating lease assets, net

     Right-of-use operating assets, net      $ 11,003  

Current lease liabilities

     Current portion of operating lease obligations      $ 3,582  

Non-current lease liabilities

    
Non-current portion of operating lease
obligations
 
 
     7,489  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 11,071  
     

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

        3.19  

Weighted average discount rate

        7.12%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     
      Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheets      2023  
Finance lease assets, net      Property, plant and equipment, net      $ 6,267  
Current lease liabilities      Current portion of finance lease obligations      $ 1,381  

Non-current lease liabilities

    
Non-current portion of finance lease
obligations
 
 
     5,113  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 6,494  
     

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

        2.11  

Weighted average discount rate

        7.88%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     
      Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheets      2022  
Operating lease assets, net      Right-of-use operating assets, net      $ 13,329  
Current lease liabilities      Current portion of operating lease obligations      $ 3,202  

Non-current lease liabilities

    
Non-current portion of operating lease
obligations
 
 
     10,211  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 13,413  
     

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

        4.20  

Weighted average discount rate

        4.29%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     
      Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheets      2022  
Finance lease assets, net      Property, plant and equipment, net    $ 3,995  
Current lease liabilities      Current portion of finance lease obligations      $ 2,081  

Non-current lease liabilities

    
Non-current portion of finance lease
obligations
 
 
     2,183  
     

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

      $ 4,264  
     

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

        2.10  

Weighted average discount rate

        5.16%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance lease costs include recognition of right of use amortization on a straight-line basis and interest expense by applying the effective interest method over the lease term. Finance lease costs are included on the

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations in depreciation and amortization. Right-of-use amortization and interest expense associated with finance leases were $3,295 and $2,878, respectively, for the period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Operating lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in cost of field services revenue, costs of aftermarket part sales and services, and selling, general, and administrative expense. Operating lease cost was $3,973 and $2,694 for leases with terms greater than 12 months and $628 and $704 for leases with terms 12 months or less for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The following tables shows the future maturities of lease liabilities ending December 31, 2023:

 

       
     

Operating Lease

Liabilities

   

Finance Lease

Liabilities

    Total  

2024

   $ 4,049     $ 3,586     $ 7,635  

2025

     3,615       2,543       6,158  

2026

     3,062       921       3,983  

2027

     1,216             1,216  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     11,942       7,050       18,992  

Less: Imputed interest

     (871     (556     (1,427
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,071     $ 6,494     $ 17,565  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 10—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

The Partnership, at times, may be subject to claims and pending legal proceedings that could involve product liability and employment issues. These proceedings are, in the opinion of management, ordinary routine matters incidental to the normal business conducted by the Partnership. In the opinion of management, such proceedings are substantially covered by insurance, and the ultimate disposition of such proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Standby Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership had $515 in standby letters of credit due to prepayments received for international compressor packages. The standby letters of credit represent a Flogistix performance obligation and are fully collateralized by cash received.

NOTE 11—REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Field Services. Field services revenue is generated by leasing compressor packages to customers for use at their oil and gas facilities. Lease compressor packages consist of the lease of a vapor recovery unit along with ongoing monitoring and maintenance services by a qualified service technician to ensure operational performance. With the monitoring and maintenance, the customer receives access to the telemetry system to

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

get performance reports, real time alerts, and a company technician to install consumable replacement parts, perform maintenance and repairs and remote access to operate the unit, maximizing run time and performance. Because we have a right to consideration from the customer in amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of our performance completed to date, we have elected the practical expedient permitted under ASC Topic 606 to recognize field services revenue in the amount to which we have the right to invoice. Accordingly, we recognize field services revenue on a monthly basis over the term of the rental contract, at the monthly rate agreed upon by the customer. Primarily all of our contract terms are 12 months or less, with an immaterial amount of contracts ranging up to 36 months. Monthly agreements are generally cancellable with 30-day notice by the customer. We receive cash equal to the invoice price for field services provided. Payment terms are net 30 days from the date we invoice our customer. Since the period between services rendered and receipt of payment is not expected to exceed one year, we have elected not to calculate or disclose a financing component for our customer contracts.

Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales. Compressor and fabricated equipment sales revenue is recognized when our performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time when control transfers, which happens when the customer accepts ownership either by delivery or acceptance through inspection at the Partnership’s facility depending on the specific contract terms.

Depending on the terms of the arrangement, we may defer the recognition of revenue for a portion of consideration received because we must satisfy a future performance obligation. Deferred revenue is recognized when control of the fabricated equipment has been transferred to our customer. Warranties for our compressors and fabricated equipment sales are historically immaterial in nature. Components installed on our fabricated equipment carry a manufacturer’s warranty and are typically replaced at no cost to the Partnership by the manufacturer, if proven to be faulty.

Aftermarket Part Sales and Services. Aftermarket part sales and service revenues are recognized when our performance obligation is satisfied. This occurs at the point in time when we transfer control of our product or service to our customer which occurs upon completion of service or delivery of parts. Components sold or consumed as part of a service carry a manufacturer’s warranty and are typically replaced at no cost to the Partnership by the manufacturer, if proven to be faulty. Aftermarket service revenues pertain to service work that take less than one workday to complete. Given the short duration of these service contracts, we recognize revenues upon completion of service work.

Use of Estimates. Our revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration, as our revenues typically do not require significant estimates or judgments. The transaction prices of our arrangements are fixed, and product returns are immaterial. Additionally, our arrangements typically do not include multiple performance obligations that require estimates of the stand-alone purchase price for each performance obligation.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers by reportable segment (see Note 13—“Segments and Geographic Information”) and disaggregated by geographical region and type of good or service:

 

   
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2023      2022  

Field Services

     

Permian Basin

   $ 58,058      $ 42,837  

DJ Basin & Piecance/Uinta Basin

     22,543        18,486  

Midcontinent, Barnett & East Texas

     9,394        9,416  

Eagle Ford

     8,185        5,609  

Marcellus/Utica Basin

     8,372        5,163  

Bakken & Powder River

     11,503        6,155  

Other

     2,128        1,631  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total field services revenue

   $ 120,183      $ 89,297  

Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales

     

Permian Basin

     33,734        19,555  

DJ Basin & Piecance/Uinta Basin

     415        455  

Midcontinent, Barnett & East Texas

     5,557        2,584  

Eagle Ford

     2,083        3,328  

Marcellus/Utica Basin

            332  

Bakken & Powder River

     16,076        11,472  

Other

     405        559  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total compressor and fabricated equipment sales

   $ 58,270      $ 38,285  

Aftermarket Part Sales and Services

     

Parts

   $ 11,520      $ 8,556  

Services

     1,659        1,721  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total aftermarket parts sales and services

   $ 13,179      $ 10,277  

Other

   $ 888      $ 528  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 192,520      $ 138,387  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about accounts receivable and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

 

   
     December 31,  
      2023      2022  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 30,777      $ 19,343  

Contract liabilities

     4,690        2,182  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Contract liabilities represent consideration received or consideration which is unconditionally due from customers prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of the contract and is included within deferred revenue. Revenue recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 from amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of each period was $1,320 and $168, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

We do not disclose the aggregate transaction price for remaining performance obligations, generally because either the revenue from the satisfaction of the performance obligations is recognized in the amount invoiced or the original expected duration of the contract is one year or less.

Costs to Obtain and Fulfill Contracts

The Partnership pays commissions to its sales team. These commissions qualify as direct incremental costs to obtain a sales contract, and we expect to recover those costs through the transaction price charged to the customer.

Under ASC 340-40, such incremental costs should be capitalized and amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the commissions relate. However, given that the majority of our sales contracts do not exceed a term of one year, we have elected the practical expedient of expensing these commission costs as incurred.

The Partnership also incurs certain costs to fulfill our sales contracts, such as mobilization costs. These costs do not result in the transfer of a good or service to the customer. We capitalize the costs incurred to bring new rental units to their designated locations in accordance with the guidance in ASC 360. On occasion, we may be required to move a rental unit to a different field office at a different basin. These additional mobilization costs for a subsequent contract in a different basin are viewed as fulfillment costs that fall within the scope of ASC 340-40 and are insignificant when considered individually and in the aggregate.

NOTE 12—EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Flogistix Holdings, LLC, the Partnership’s parent, issued incentive awards to certain employees in the form of profit interest units. Class B and C awards are accounted for as stock-based compensation. Class B units fully vest in equal installments over a three-year period from grant date, so long as the holder has remained continuously employed by the Partnership for the vesting period. Class C units fully vest upon consummation of a sale transaction in which the Multiple on Invested Capital (“MOIC”) must be at least 3.5x of WDE’s investment in the Partnership and the holder of the Class C unit awards have remained continuously employed from the initial date of employment through the date of the sale transaction.

For Class B shares, the Partnership recognizes compensation expense over the 3-year vesting from the date of issuance. Share-based compensation expense for Class B shares was $126 and $116 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The aggregate unrecognized compensation expense for Class B shares was $138 and $265 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

Class C awards become exercisable only upon the occurrence of the sale transaction and, in accordance with US GAAP, will be recorded as compensation expense when it is deemed probable a sale transaction will occur. The compensation cost will be accounted for as a deemed contribution from the Parent within the accompanying consolidated statements of partner’s equity. As of December 31, 2023, no compensation expense associated with these awards has been recorded as a sale transaction is not deemed probable. The aggregate unrecognized compensation expense for Class C shares was $481 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Partnership has issued 7,865 B shares and 7,665 C shares for awards under this equity-based plan as of December 31, 2023.

A summary of the Class B and C unit activity under the Partnership’s equity-based compensation plan for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below:

 

         
Class B and C Units    B Shares     

B Share

Weighted-

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

     C Shares    

C Share

Weighted-

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2022

     6,715        364.97        6,715       63.75  

Granted

     1,150        332.00        1,150       62.00  

Forfeited

                   (200     90.30  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

     7,865      $ 360.15        7,665     $ 62.79  

Granted

                          

Forfeited

                          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2023

     7,865      $ 360.15        7,665     $ 62.79  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 13—SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Partnership’s reportable business segments consist of Field Services, Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales, and Aftermarket Part Sales and Services. These three segments align with our internal reporting and are reflective of how management has organized the entity for the purpose of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our reportable segments were identified based on a variety of factors, including the level at which budgets and forecasts are prepared and reviewed, the information reviewed by our chief operating decision maker, and the information provided to the Partnership’s board of directors. Refer to Note 11—“Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” for a discussion of the types of products and services from which each reportable segment derives its revenues.

Our chief operating decision maker, who is our chief executive officer, evaluates the performance of each segment based on its respective revenues and segment gross margin. Assets by reportable segment is not considered in performance review and allocation of resources. Segment gross margin is defined as revenues less cost of sales, excluding depreciation. Expenses below the gross margin line are not allocated across operating segments, as they relate primarily to the overall management of the consolidated entity. The remainder of our business operations is presented as “Other,” and consists of corporate and other immaterial operations.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands)

 

The following table presents our measurements of revenues and segment gross margin for the years indicated.

 

           
     

Field

Services

    

Compressor

and

Fabricated

Equipment

Sales

    

Aftermarket

Part Sales

and Services

     Other     Total  

2023

 

Revenues

   $ 120,183      $ 58,270      $ 13,179      $ 888     $ 192,520  

Segment gross margin(1)

     76,782        16,753        3,248        (46     96,737  

2022

  

Revenues

   $ 89,297      $ 38,285      $ 10,277      $ 528     $ 138,387  

Segment gross margin(1)

     56,767        8,436        2,182        (115     67,270  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1   The segment gross margin used by our chief operating decision maker in assessing the performance of and allocating resources to our segments excludes depreciation.

The reconciliation of the totals reported for our reportable segments to the applicable line items within the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:

 

     
      2023     2022  

Net income

   $ 25,491     $ 19,327  

Interest expense

     14,743       5,714  

Other income, net

     (203     (2,650

Depreciation and amortization

     30,016       23,255  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     26,690       21,624  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total segment gross margin

   $ 96,737     $ 67,270  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our operations are primarily confined to the United States. Therefore, we have limited revenues and capitalized fixed assets in any geographic areas outside of the United States.

NOTE 14—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the effects of subsequent events for inclusion and disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements through the date these financial statements were available to be issued, or April 5, 2024. In February 2024, WDE closed on a continuation vehicle transaction, whereby existing investors in WDE were allowed to exit their investment and be replaced by new investors. As part of the transaction, the existing Class B and C incentive units as shown in Note 12 were exercised and converted to Class A units if certain threshold requirements were met. In addition, new Class B units were issued to management of the Partnership that vest over a 5 year period. The Partnership is not aware of any additional subsequent events that would have a material impact on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

     
     

March 31,

2024

    

December 31,

2023

 

Assets

     

Current Assets

     

Cash

   $ 385      $ 2,610  

Accounts receivable, net

     17,930        29,516  

Inventories

     79,647        78,705  

Other current assets

     2,581        1,005  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     100,543        111,836  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     266,337        243,890  

Goodwill

     7,553        7,553  

Intangible assets, net

     11,550        11,934  

Note receivable – related party

     2,229        2,254  

Right-of-use operating assets, net

     10,452        11,003  

Other assets, net

     2,944        3,090  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $  401,608      $ 391,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities And Partners’ Equity

     

Current Liabilities

     

Book overdraft

   $ 6,893      $ 5,386  

Accounts payable

     12,139        10,066  

Accrued liabilities

     7,368        8,250  

Deferred revenue

     3,906        4,691  

Current portion of operating lease obligations

     3,649        3,582  

Current portion of finance lease obligations

     1,844        1,381  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     35,799        33,356  

Long-term debt

     197,200        194,830  

Non-current portion of operating lease obligations

     6,839        7,489  

Non-current portion of finance lease obligations

     5,744        5,113  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     245,582        240,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

     

Partners’ Equity

     

General partner interest

     16        15  

Limited partner interest

     156,010        150,757  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total partners’ equity

     156,026        150,772  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 401,608      $ 391,560  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
      2024     2023  

Revenues:

    

Field services revenue

   $ 34,953     $ 27,695

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales revenue

     4,617       7,622  

Aftermarket part sales and services revenue

     4,738       2,748

Other revenue

     308       187  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     44,616       38,252

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation)

    

Cost of field services revenue

     12,052       9,768  

Cost of compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     3,288       5,561

Cost of aftermarket part sales and services

     3,355       2,257  

Cost of other revenue

     283       235
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

     18,978       17,821  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     7,390       6,847

Depreciation and amortization

     8,895       6,641  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     35,263       31,309
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     9,353       6,943  

Other income (expense), net:

    

Other income, net

     66       111  

Interest expense

     (4,231     (2,806
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (4,165     (2,695
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 5,188     $ 4,248  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Equity (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

       
     

General

partner

interest

    

Limited partner

interest

    

Total partners’

equity

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

   $ 13    $ 125,142    $ 125,155  

Net income

            4,248        4,248  

Share based compensation

          32      32  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2023

   $ 13    $ 129,422    $  129,435  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

       
      General
partner
interest
     Limited partner
interest
     Total partners’
equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2023

   $ 15      $ 150,757      $ 150,772  

Net income

     1        5,187        5,188  

Share based compensation

          66      66  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2024

   $ 16    $ 156,010    $  156,026  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   
     Three Month Ended March 31,  
      2024     2023  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 5,188     $ 4,248  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,895       6,641  

Share-based compensation

     66       32  

Amortization of loan origination fees

     140       184  

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net

     5       (3

Release for expected credit losses

           (34

Other

     25       19  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     11,586       2,325  

Inventories

     (967     (11,604

Interest receivable from affiliate

     (22     (19

Other assets

     (1,603     (1,947

Accounts payable

     2,073       (2,656

Accrued liabilities

     (882     748  

Deferred revenue

     (785     230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities

     23,719       (1,836

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases and manufacturing of property, plant, and equipment

     (28,891     (22,833

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant, and equipment

     (5      

Payments for intangible assets

     (25     (31
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (28,921     (22,864

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Change in book overdraft

     1,507       7,494  

Payments on finance leases

     (924     (607

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

     61,280       58,568  

Payments on revolving line of credit

     (58,910     (40,616

Debt issuance costs

           (2

Proceeds from affiliate on note receivable

           211  

Payments to affiliate on note receivable

           (30

Other

     24        
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     2,977       25,018  

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     (2,225     318  

Cash at beginning of period

     2,610       1,614  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

   $ 385     $ 1,932  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 3,864     $ 2,569  

Finance lease right-of-use assets recognized

     1,702       1,076  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

NOTE 1—DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Flogistix, LP (the “Partnership” or the “Company”) is a Texas limited partnership in the business of capturing natural gas from tanks and other production equipment for its customers primarily through providing natural gas compression equipment and services, along with improving natural gas and crude oil production. On December 12, 2014, WDE Flogistix Aggregate, LLC (“WDE”) and certain managers of the Partnership purchased 100% of Flogistix Holdings, LLC which owns the interests in the limited and general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership interests are allotted 99.99% to the limited partner and 0.01% to the general partner. The Partnership’s headquarters and primary administrative offices are in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and its manufacturing facilities are located in Pampa, Texas, El Reno, Oklahoma and Gillette, Wyoming. The Partnership provides services in the Mid Continent of Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, the Bakken Shale formation in North Dakota, the Eagle Ford Shale formation in South Texas, the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico, the Marcellus-Utica Shale in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and throughout the Rocky Mountains (Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah).

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Flogistix ULC, and Flogistix Global OBU LLC.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for the periods presented.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (“2023 consolidated financial statements and report of independent certified public accountant”).

Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. There are no items of comprehensive income.

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in its 2023 consolidated financial statements and report of independent certified public accountant and are supplemented by the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this report.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of the reported

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

balances of assets, liabilities, and equity at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period then ended. The estimates and assumptions used in these condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions and such differences could be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those related to, allowances for expected credit losses, estimated useful lives assigned to long-lived assets, share-based compensation and impairment of long-lived assets including goodwill.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In March 2024, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2024-01, “Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards.” ASU 2024-01 provides an illustrative example that includes four fact patterns to demonstrate how an entity should apply the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 to determine whether a profits interest award should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 718. ASU 2024-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-01 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU. ASUs not listed above were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, previously disclosed, or not material upon adoption.

Customer Concentration

The Company has one customer accounting for more than 10% of its accounts receivable as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company has two and one customers accounting for more than 10% of its revenue for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivables are presented net of an allowance for expected credit losses, which amounted to $45 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The following table summarizes the change in the accounts receivables allowance for credit losses:

 

     
      March 31,
2024
     December 31,
2023
 

Beginning balance

   $ 45      $ 45  

Reversal of allowance for credit losses

             

Allowance for credit losses

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 45      $ 45  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 3—NOTE RECEIVABLE—RELATED PARTY

As of March 31, 2024, the Partnership has an amount due from Flogistix Holdings, LLC (“Holder”) for the funding of a note receivable for $2,229, which is due from BMT Investment Partners, Ltd. (“BMT”), an entity managed by an officer

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

and director of the Partnership. The amount due is classified as long-term as the maturity date shall be the earliest to occur of (i) a sale of Holder, which shall include any merger, consolidation, or transfer of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding membership interest or assets of Holder, or a sale of substantially all of the assets of Flogistix, LP, a subsidiary of Holder, (ii) the date that is six months following receipt of written notice from Holder that this note is due and payable, or (iii) August 5, 2026 (“Maturity Date Events”). The carrying amount is captured in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet in Note receivable—related party. The note is collateralized by BMT’s interest in the Partnership and a personal guarantee.

The note accrues interest to the Partnership at 4.0% and is also due at the earliest of the Maturity Date Events to occur. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accrued interest receivable was $317 and $295, respectively, which is included in note receivable—related party within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Interest income for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, amounted to $22 and $19, respectively.

NOTE 4—INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

     
     

March 31,

2024

    

December 31,

2023

 

Parts and raw materials

   $ 69,713      $ 70,618  

Work in process

     8,409        6,486  

Finished goods

     1,525        1,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories, net

   $ 79,647      $ 78,705  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant, and equipment, net consisted of the following:

 

     
     

March 31,

2024

   

December 31,

2023

 

Land

   $ 144     $ 144  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     8,178       7,892  

Rental compressors

     352,239       324,924  

Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment

     721       720  

Methane detection equipment

     1,701       1,669  

Shop equipment

     11,333       10,459  

Computers, computer equipment, and software

     16,775       15,960  

Construction in progress

     631       1,192  

Construction in progress—internally developed software (Note 6)

     2,695       2,758  

Vehicles under finance lease

     16,367       15,365  

Vehicles owned

     2,493       2,399  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost

     413,277       383,482  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (146,940     (139,592
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property, plant, and equipment, net

   $ 266,337     $ 243,890  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Depreciation expense for property, plant, and equipment was $7,521 and $5,558 for the periods ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, respectively. Accumulated depreciation of rental compressors included in total accumulated depreciation was $119,004 and $113,187 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Accumulated amortization of vehicles under finance leases included in total accumulated depreciation was $9,022 and $9,098 as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

NOTE 6—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill

The Partnership had goodwill of $7,553, allocated across its reporting units. The Partnership has determined that no impairment of goodwill existed on March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023. Accumulated impairment loss was $4,543, as of those same periods ended.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of March 31, 2024:

 

         
(in thousands)    Intangible Assets,
Gross
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Intangible
Assets, Net
     Weighted Average
Remaining Useful
Life (Years)
 

Trade name

   $ 13,000      $ 7,092      $ 5,908        7.8  

Internally developed software

     1,400        1,400                

Customer listing

     12,000        7,420        4,580        5.8  

Patents

     1,354        311        1,043        12.9  

Trademarks

     47        28        19        3.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,801      $ 16,251      $ 11,550     

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023:

 

         
(in thousands)    Intangible Assets,
Gross
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Intangible
Assets, Net
     Weighted Average
Remaining Useful
Life (Years)
 

Trade name

   $ 13,000      $ 6,901      $ 6,099        8.0  

Internally developed software

     1,400        1,400                

Customer listing

     12,000        7,220        4,780        6.0  

Patents

     1,329        295        1,034        13.2  

Trademarks

     47        26        21        4.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,776      $ 15,842      $ 11,934     

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the internally developed software previously placed into service, the Partnership placed an additional $790 and $0 into service for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $409 and $445 for the periods ending March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Amortization expense in each of the next five years is expected to consist of:

 

   
      Amount  

Remainder of 2024

   $ 1,240  

2025

     1,654  

2026

     1,654  

2027

     1,654  

2028

     1,648  

Thereafter

     3,700  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,550  

 

 

NOTE 7—LONG-TERM DEBT

In January 2011, the Partnership executed a revolving line of credit (the “Credit Agreement”) with a bank. The Credit Agreement is subject to a borrowing base based on specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and rental compressors which also serves as collateral for the line of credit.

Additionally, the Partnership entered into the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in December 2013 and the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in July 2015, both of which served to amend and restate the existing Credit Agreement and to adjust the lending parties’ respective percentage interests in the extension of credit outstanding thereunder.

In July 2019, the Partnership entered into the First Amendment of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a maximum borrowing capacity of $137,500 and includes an additional $75,000 accordion feature.

In December 2022, the Partnership entered into the Third Amendment of the Second Amended Restated Credit Agreement increasing the maximum borrowing capacity to $242,500.

As of March 31, 2024, the Partnership had a borrowing base of $242,500 and related availability of $38,600 that is net of a $6,700 availability reserve for inventory, rental, credit card, and state sales tax obligations. The availability reserve is assessed on a month-to-month basis and functions as a reduction to our related availability, insuring anticipated rent, credit card, and state sales tax liabilities. The facility matures in December 2027 and bears interest at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an applicable spread. Additionally, the frequency of interest payments is based on the interest rate elections made by the Partnership and are typically monthly but can be bimonthly. The weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, is 7.98% and 8.28%, respectively.

The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and nonfinancial covenants, including a requirement to maintain certain fixed charge coverage and leverage ratios. As of March 31, 2024, the Partnership is in compliance with said covenants. The revolving line of credit does not have minimum repayment requirements but is due in full upon maturity and is thus classified as noncurrent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Future minimum payments of principal on the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2024 will consist of:

 

   
      Amount  

Remainder of 2024

   $  

2025

      

2026

      

2027

     197,200  
  

 

 

 

Total payments

   $ 197,200  

 

 

Loan origination fees of $2,546 and $2,723 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, are classified within other assets, net and are being amortized over the term of the Partnership’s revolving line of credit which matures in December 2027.

Book overdraft of $6,893 and $5,386, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, will be paid by the revolving line of credit as checks are presented to the bank.

For the periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, interest expense totaled $3,915 and $2,559, respectively.

NOTE 8—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

The Partnership, at times, might be subject to claims and pending legal proceedings that could involve product liability and employment issues. These proceedings are, in the opinion of management, ordinary routine matters incidental to the normal business conducted by the Partnership. In the opinion of management, such proceedings are substantially covered by insurance, and the ultimate disposition of such proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

NOTE 9—REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers by reportable segment (see Note 12 – “Segments and Geographic Information”) and disaggregated by geographical region and type of good or service:

 

     Three months ended  
     March 31, 2024      March 31, 2023  

Field Services

     

Permian Basin

   $ 17,415      $ 13,398  

DJ Basin & Piecance/Uinta Basin

     6,323        5,313  

Midcontinent, Barnett & East Texas

     2,306        2,604  

Eagle Ford

     2,357        1,769  

Marcellus/Utica Basin

     2,582        1,771  

Bakken & Powder River

     3,376        2,310  

Other

     594        530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total field services revenue

   $ 34,953      $ 27,695  

Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales

     

Permian Basin

   $ 3,833      $ 3,671  

DJ Basin & Piecance/Uinta Basin

     42        240  

Midcontinent, Barnett & East Texas

     25        631  

Eagle Ford

     349         

Marcellus/Utica Basin

             

Bakken & Powder River

     368        3,080  

Other

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total compressor and fabricated equipment sales

   $ 4,617      $ 7,622  

Aftermarket Part Sales and Services

     

Parts

   $ 4,150      $ 2,357  

Services

     588        391  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total aftermarket parts sales and services

   $ 4,738      $ 2,748  

Other

   $ 308      $ 187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 44,616      $ 38,252  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

The following table disaggregates the amounts and percentages attributed to each major customer for the periods presented:

 

     
     Three months ended
March 31, 2024
     Three months ended
March 31, 2023
 
(in thousands)    Amount ($)     

% of

Revenue

     Amount ($)     

% of

Revenue

 

Customer A

           

Field services

   $ 947        2.1%      $ 874        2.3%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     1,419        3.2%        312        0.8%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     1,890        4.2%        634        1.7%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer A

   $ 4,256        9.5%      $ 1,820        4.8%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Customer B

           

Field services

     6,529        14.6%        4,688        12.3%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     162        0.4%        37        0.1%  

Other

     22        0.1%        7        0.0%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer B

   $ 6,713        15.1%      $ 4,732        12.4%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Customer C

           

Field services

     2,365        5.3%        1,475        3.9%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     1,629        3.7%        786        2.0%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     987        2.2%                

Other

     40        0.1%        33        0.1%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer C

   $ 5,021        11.3%      $ 2,294        6.0%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

     
     March 31, 2024      December 31, 2023  
(in thousands)    Amount ($)     

% of Total

Accounts

Receivable

     Amount ($)     

% of Total

Accounts

Receivable

 

Customer A

           

Field services

   $ 612        3.6%      $ 585        2.0%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     668      3.9%        908        3.2%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     2,031        12.0%        9,695        33.6%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer A

   $ 3,311        19.5%      $ 11,188        38.8%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Customer B

           

Field services

     1,439        8.5%        75        0.3%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     61      0.4%        33        0.1%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer B

   $ 1,500        8.9%      $ 108        0.4%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Customer C

           

Field services

     246        1.5%        520        1.8%  

Aftermarket part sales and services

     883        5.2%        539        1.9%  

Compressor and fabricated equipment sales

     428        2.5%        4,010        13.9%  

Other

     23      0.1%        24        0.1%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Customer C

   $ 1,580        9.3%      $ 5,093        17.7%  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about accounts receivable and contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

 

     
      March 31, 2024      December 31, 2023  

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 16,908      $ 30,777  

Contract liabilities

     3,906        4,691  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract liabilities represent consideration received or consideration which is unconditionally due from customers prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of the contract and is included within deferred revenue. Revenue recognized during the periods ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, from amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of each period was $2,089 and $15, respectively.

NOTE 10—EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

On December 12, 2014, October 13, 2016, and February 10, 2022 Flogistix Holdings, LLC, the Partnership’s parent, issued incentive awards to certain employees in the form of profit interest units. Class B and C awards are accounted for as stock-based compensation. Class B units fully vest in equal installments over a three-year period from the grant date, so long as the holder has remained continuously employed by the Partnership for the vesting period. Class C units fully vest upon consummation of a sale transaction in which the Multiple on

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

Invested Capital (“MOIC”) must be at least 3.5x of WDE’s investment in the Partnership and the holder of the Class C unit awards have remained continuously employed from the initial date of employment through the date of the sale transaction.

For Class B shares, the Partnership recognizes compensation expense over the 3-year vesting from the date of issuance.

Class C awards become exercisable only upon the occurrence of the sale transaction and, in accordance with US GAAP, will be recorded as compensation expense when it is deemed probable a sale transaction will occur.

On February 29, 2024, WDE closed on a continuation vehicle transaction, whereby existing investors in WDE were allowed to exit their investment and be replaced by new investors. As part of this transaction, Class B-1 and B-2 Units of the Partnership’s parent were exchanged into Class A units. Class B-3 and C Units did not meet threshold requirements for conversion to Class A Units and were cancelled. Class A Units represent a direct ownership in the Partnership.

On February 29, 2024, as a result of the previous Class B and C Units being exchanged or cancelled, the Partnership’s parent, authorized a new issuance of 8,160 Class B Units, of which 7,262 units were granted to employees and will vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period from the grant date. The grant date fair value of the new Class B Units was $360/Unit.

The compensation cost is accounted for as a deemed contribution from the Parent within the accompanying consolidated statements of partner’s equity.

The aggregate recognized compensation expense for Class B shares was $66 and $32 as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

The aggregate unrecognized compensation expense for Class B shares was $2,716 and $233 as of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

NOTE 11—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable where the carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of each instrument.

The fair values of the note receivable with related party and revolving line of credit approximate to their carrying values.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

NOTE 12—SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Partnership’s reportable business segments consist of Field Services, Compressor and Fabricated Equipment Sales, and Aftermarket Part Sales and Services. These three segments align with our internal reporting and are reflective of how management has organized the entity for the purpose of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Our reportable segments were identified based on a variety of factors,

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

including the level at which budgets and forecasts are prepared and reviewed, the information reviewed by our chief operating decision maker, and the information provided to the Partnership’s board of directors. Refer to Note 9 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” for a discussion of the types of products and services from which each reportable segment derives its revenues.

Our chief operating decision maker, who is our chief executive officer, evaluates the performance of each segment based on its respective revenues and segment gross margin. Assets by reportable segment is not considered in performance review and allocation of resources. Segment gross margin is defined as revenues less cost of sales, excluding depreciation. Expenses below the gross margin line are not allocated across operating segments, as they relate primarily to the overall management of the consolidated entity. The remainder of our business operations is presented as “Other,” and consists of corporate and other immaterial operations.

The following table presents our measurements of revenues and segment gross margin for the periods indicated.

 

           
      field
Service
     Compressor
and
Fabricated
Equipment
Sales
     Aftermarket
Part Sales
and
Services
     Other     Total  

Three months ended March 31, 2024

             

Revenues

   $ 34,953      $ 4,617      $ 4,738      $ 308     $ 44,616  

Segment gross margin(1)

     22,901        1,329        1,383        25       25,638  

March 31, 2023

             

Revenues

   $ 27,695      $ 7,622      $ 2,748      $ 187     $ 38,252  

Segment gross margin(1)

     17,927        2,061        491        (48     20,431  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)   The segment gross margin used by our chief operating decision maker in assessing the performance of and allocating resources to our segments excludes depreciation.

The reconciliation of the totals reported for our reportable segments to the applicable line items within the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:

 

   
     Three months ended  
      March 31, 2024     March 31, 2023  

Net income (loss)

   $ 5,188       4,248  

Interest expense

     4,231       2,806  

Other income, net

     (66     (111

Depreciation and amortization

     8,895       6,641  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     7,390       6,847  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross margin

   $ 25,638       20,431  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, our operations are primarily confined to the United States. Therefore, we have limited revenues and capitalized fixed assets in any geographic areas outside of the United States.

 

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Flogistix, LP

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

NOTE 13—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Partnership evaluated subsequent events through August 29, 2024, the date that the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were available to be issued.

In May 2024, the Partnership’s parent, awarded 408 Class B Units from the unissued pool of units authorized on February 29, 2024.

Contribution agreement

On June 20, 2024, GEC Estis Holdings LLC, Flowco Production Solutions LLC, and Flogistix Holdings, LLC, transferred, assigned and contributed to Flowco MergeCo LLC, and Flowco MergeCo LLC accepted and acquired, equity interests in their subsidiaries and related assets, including equity interest in the Partnership and its general partner.

Credit Agreement

On August 20, 2024, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Flowco MergeCo LLC, Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions LLC, Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, as borrowers, and other loan parties entered into a first lien credit agreement which provides for a $700 million aggregate principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement continues the prior Revolving Credit Facility (as described in Note 7), and borrowings were used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under then-existing credit agreements with Flowco Productions LLC and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC.

 

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     Shares

 

LOGO

Flowco Holdings Inc.

Class A Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

J.P.Morgan

Jefferies

Piper Sandler

Evercore ISI

BMO Capital Markets

Fearnley Securities

Pareto Securities

Pickering Energy Partners

TPH&Co.

   , 2024

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other expenses of issuance and distribution.

The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and registration of the securities being registered hereunder (excluding the underwriters’ discount and commission). All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the New York Stock Exchange listing fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $     

FINRA filing fee

        

New York Stock Exchange listing fee

        

Printing and engraving expenses

        

Legal fees and expenses

        

Accounting fees and expenses

        

Blue sky qualification fees and expenses

        

Transfer agent fees and expenses

        

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

        
  

 

 

 

Total

   $     

 

 

 

*   To be filed by amendment

Item 14. Indemnification of directors and officers.

Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors or officers of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except where the director or officer breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director or officer of Flowco Holdings Inc. shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors or officers for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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Upon consummation of the Transactions, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement will provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements will provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for the reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws.

We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

In any underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of Class A common stock being registered hereby, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors, our officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.

Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities.

On July 25, 2024, Flowco Holdings Inc. agreed to issue 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, which will be redeemed upon the consummation of the Transactions, to Flowco LLC in exchange for $10.00. The issuance was exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 16. Exhibits and financial statements.

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement.

 

   
Exhibit No.     Description
  1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  2.1     Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, by and among Flowco MergeCo LLC, GEC Estis Holdings LLC, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. and Flogistix Holdings, LLC.
  3.1     Certificate of Incorporation of Flowco Holdings Inc., as in effect prior to the consummation of the Transactions.
  3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Flowco Holdings Inc., to be in effect upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  3.3     Bylaws of Flowco Holdings Inc., as in effect prior to the consummation of the Transactions.
  3.4   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Flowco Holdings Inc. to be in effect upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  4.1   Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing the shares of Class A common stock.
  5.1   Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP.
  10.1   Form of Tax Receivable Agreement, to be effective upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  10.2   Form of Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of Flowco MergeCo LLC, to be effective upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  10.3   Form of Stockholders Agreement, to be effective upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  10.4   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, to be effective upon the consummation of the Transactions.
  10.5   Form of Indemnification Agreement
  10.6     Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August  20, 2024, by and among, Flowco MasterCo LLC, Flowco Productions LLC, Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, as borrowers, the Loan Parties named therein, the Lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the Joint Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arrangers named therein.
  10.7 *#    Form of Flowco Holdings Inc. Equity and Incentive Plan.
  10.8 *#    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
  10.9   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Joe Bob Edwards and Flowco MasterCo, LLC, dated as of November 1, 2024.
  10.10   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Jonathan W. Byers and Flowco MasterCo, LLC, dated as of October 14, 2024.
  10.11   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Chad Roberts and Flowco MasterCo, LLC, dated as of October 29, 2024.
  10.12   Executive Employment Agreement by and between Mims Talton and Flowco MasterCo, LLC, dated as of October 29, 2024.
  10.13   Executive Employment Agreement by and between John Gatlin and Flowco MasterCo, LLC, dated as of November 26, 2024.
  10.14   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Non-Employee Director)
  10.15     First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 27, 2024.
  21.1     List of Subsidiaries of Flowco Holdings Inc.

 

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Table of Contents
   
Exhibit No.     Description
  23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as to the consolidated financial statements of Flowco Holdings Inc.
  23.2     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as to the consolidated financial statements of Flowco MergeCo LLC
  23.3     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as to the consolidated financial statements of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.
  23.4     Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, as to the consolidated financial statement of Flogistix, LP
  23.5   Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
  23.6     Consent of Rystad Energy Inc.
  24.1     Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
  99.1     Consent of Paul W. Hobby to be named as a director nominee
  99.2     Consent of Cynthia L. Walker to be named as a director nominee
  99.3     Consent of William H. White to be named as a director nominee
  107     Filing fee table

 

 

 

*   To be filed by amendment
#   Indicates management contract or compensatory plan

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c) The undersigned hereby further undertakes that:

 

  1)   For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus as filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  2)   For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on December 6, 2024.

 

Flowco Holdings Inc.
By:  

/s/ Joseph R. Edwards

  Joseph R. Edwards
  President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph R. Edwards and Jonathan W. Byers, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) hereto and any registration statements relating to the offering contemplated hereby filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full right, power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or any of his, her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully have done or may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title   Date

/s/ Joseph R. Edwards

   President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer); Director   December 6, 2024
Joseph R. Edwards

/s/ Jonathan W. Byers

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   December 6, 2024
Jonathan W. Byers     

/s/ Jim Merrill

   Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   December 6, 2024
Jim Merrill     

/s/ Alexander Chmelev

   Director   December 6, 2024
Alexander Chmelev

/s/ Jonathan B. Fairbanks

   Director   December 6, 2024
Jonathan B. Fairbanks

/s/ Ben A. Guill

   Director   December 6, 2024
Ben A. Guill     

 

II-5

Exhibit 2.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC,

GEC ESTIS HOLDINGS LLC,

FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.

AND

FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS, LLC

DATED AS OF JUNE 20, 2024

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     3  

ARTICLE II CONTRIBUTIONS

     21  

Section 2.01.

  Estis Contribution      21  

Section 2.02.

  Flowco Contribution      22  

Section 2.03.

  Flogistix Contribution      22  

ARTICLE III CLOSING

     22  

Section 3.01.

  Closing      22  

Section 3.02.

  True-Up Adjustment Provisions      22  

Section 3.03.

  Closing Payments      28  

Section 3.04.

  Deliveries of Estis Holdings      28  

Section 3.05.

  Deliveries of Flowco Production Solutions      29  

Section 3.06.

  Deliveries of Flogistix Holdings      30  

Section 3.07.

  Deliveries of Newco      31  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANIES

     31  

Section 4.01.

  Organization; Good Standing; Authorization      31  

Section 4.02.

  Capitalization      32  

Section 4.03.

  No Conflicts      32  

Section 4.04.

  No Subsidiaries      33  

Section 4.05.

  Financial Statements      33  

Section 4.06.

  Absence of Certain Changes and Events      35  

Section 4.07.

  Real Property      37  

Section 4.08.

  Title to Property; Condition and Sufficiency of Assets      39  

Section 4.09.

  Accounts Receivable; Accounts Payable      39  

Section 4.10.

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      40  

Section 4.11.

  Taxes      40  

Section 4.12.

  Employee Benefit Plans      42  

Section 4.13.

  Compliance with Laws      43  

Section 4.14.

  Legal Proceedings; Governmental Orders      44  

Section 4.15.

  Material Contracts      44  

Section 4.16.

  Insurance      44  

Section 4.17.

  Environmental Matters      45  

Section 4.18.

  Employees; Labor Relations      46  

Section 4.19.

  Licenses and Permits      47  

Section 4.20.

  Brokers      47  

Section 4.21.

  Intellectual Property      47  

Section 4.22.

  Bank Accounts      49  

Section 4.23.

  Customers and Suppliers      49  

Section 4.24.

  Related Party Transactions      50  

Section 4.25.

  Payments to Officials      50  

Section 4.26.

  Export Controls and Economic Sanctions      51  

Section 4.27.

  Inventory      51  

 

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ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTORS

     52  

Section 5.01.

  Organization and Good Standing      52  

Section 5.02.

  Ownership; Due Authorization and Authority      52  

Section 5.03.

  No Conflicts      53  

Section 5.04.

  Legal Proceedings; Governmental Orders      53  

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING NEWCO

     54  

Section 6.01.

  Organization; Good Standing      54  

Section 6.02.

  Authority; Enforceability      54  

Section 6.03.

  Ownership; Due Authorization      54  

Section 6.04.

  No Conflicts      55  

Section 6.05.

  No Operations      55  

ARTICLE VII TAX MATTERS

     55  

Section 7.01.

  Tax Matters      55  

ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS

     58  

Section 8.01.

  Confidentiality      58  

Section 8.02.

  Public Announcements      58  

Section 8.03.

  Further Assurances      58  

Section 8.04.

  Releases      59  

Section 8.05.

  Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification      60  

ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION

     60  

Section 9.01.

  Survival      60  

Section 9.02.

  Indemnification by Estis Holdings      61  

Section 9.03.

  Indemnification by Flowco Production Solutions      61  

Section 9.04.

  Indemnification by Flogistix Holdings      61  

Section 9.05.

  Certain Limitations      61  

Section 9.06.

  Indemnification Procedures      63  

Section 9.07.

  Non-Party Indemnified Parties      65  

Section 9.08.

  Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments and Certain Closing Adjustment Amount Payments      65  

Section 9.09.

  Sources of Recovery      65  

Section 9.10.

  Effect of Investigation      66  

Section 9.11.

  Indemnification in Case of Strict Liability or Negligence      66  

Section 9.12.

  Exclusive Remedies      67  

Section 9.13.

  Waiver of Certain Damages      67  

Section 9.14.

  Waiver of Other Representations      67  

Section 9.15.

  Materiality Qualifiers      68  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     69  

Section 10.01.

  Counterparts      69  

Section 10.02.

  Expenses      69  

Section 10.03.

  Notices      69  

Section 10.04.

  Governing Law      71  

Section 10.05.

  Judicial Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial      71  

 

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Section 10.06.

  Interpretation      71  

Section 10.07.

  Headings      72  

Section 10.08.

  Disclosure Schedules      72  

Section 10.09.

  Severability      72  

Section 10.10.

  Entire Agreement      72  

Section 10.11.

  Successors and Assigns      73  

Section 10.12.

  Third-Party Beneficiaries      73  

Section 10.13.

  Amendment and Modification; Waiver      73  

Section 10.14.

  Specific Performance      73  

Section 10.15.

  Conflict Waiver; Attorney-Client Privilege      74  

Section 10.16.

  Non-Recourse      74  

 

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Exhibits   
Exhibit A-1    Form of Estis Assignment Agreement
Exhibit A-2    Form of Flowco Assignment Agreement
Exhibit A-3    Form of Flogistix Assignment Agreement
Exhibit B    Form of Newco LLC Agreement
Annexes   
Annex I    Post Closing Capitalization Table
Annex II    Accounting Principles
Annex III    Illustrative Working Capital Examples
Annex IV    2024 Budgets

Disclosure Schedules

Estis Disclosure Schedules

Flowco Disclosure Schedules

Flogistix Disclosure Schedules

 

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CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of June 20, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), by and among Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Newco”), GEC Estis Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Estis Holdings”), Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“Flowco Production Solutions”), and Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix Holdings” and together with Estis Holdings and Flowco Production Solutions, each a “Contributor” and collectively, the “Contributors”). Each of the foregoing is referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Estis Holdings directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Estis Interests”) in Estis Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Estis Intermediate Holdings”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, Estis Holdings directly contributed one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Estis Compression, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Estis Compression”) to Estis Intermediate Holdings pursuant to the Estis Pre-Closing Transaction Documents (as defined below);

WHEREAS, Estis Compression directly or indirectly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in each of Estis Compression Management Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Estis Management Inc.”), Estis Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Estis Management LLC”), McClung Energy Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“McClung Services”), and McClung Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“McClung Management” and together with Estis Intermediate Holdings, Estis Compression, Estis Management Inc., Estis Management LLC and McClung Services, each an “Estis Company” and collectively, the “Estis Companies”);

WHEREAS, Flowco Production Solutions directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Flowco Interests”) in Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco Productions”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, Flowco Production Solutions (a) directly contributed one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in each of Patriot Artificial Lift LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Patriot”), Flowco Production Solutions Canada Limited, a Canadian company limited by shares (“Flowco Canada”), FPS Logistics, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“FPS Logistics”), SPM Completion Systems, LLC, d/b/a Mana, a Texas limited liability company (“Mana”), Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“JMI”), Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Altec”), FPS Properties LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“FPS Properties” and together with Flowco Productions, Patriot, Flowco Canada, FPS Logistics, Mana, JMI, and Altec, each a “Flowco Company” and collectively, the “Flowco Companies”) to Flowco Productions and (b) directly assigned substantially all of the assets of Flowco Production Solutions to Flowco Productions, in each case, pursuant to the Flowco Pre-Closing Transaction Documents (as defined below);


WHEREAS, Flogistix Holdings directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Flogistix Interests”) in Flogistix Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix Intermediate Holdings”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing Date, Flogistix Holdings directly contributed (a) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix GP”) and (b) 99.99% of the issued and outstanding economic Equity Interests in Flogistix, LP, a Texas limited partnership (“Flogistix LP”) to Flogistix Intermediate Holdings pursuant to the Flogistix Pre-Closing Transaction Documents (as defined below);

WHEREAS, Flogistix GP owns (a) 0.01% of the issued and outstanding economic Equity Interests in Flogistix LP and one hundred percent (100%) of the general partner Equity Interests in Flogistix LP (which, collectively with the 99.99% economic Equity Interests held by Flogistix Intermediate Holdings constitute one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix LP) and (b) one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix Global OBU LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Sultanate of Oman (“Flogistix OBU”);

WHEREAS, Flogistix LP directly owns (a) 99% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Flogistix OBU and (b) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix ULC, a Canadian unlimited liability company (“Flogistix ULC” and together with Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, Flogistix GP, Flogistix LP and Flogistix OBU, each a “Flogistix Company” and collectively, the “Flogistix Companies”);

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Estis Holdings desires to contribute, and Newco desires to accept, the Estis Interests at the Closing in exchange for those certain Series A Units specified in this Agreement (the “Estis Contribution”);

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Flowco Production Solutions desires to contribute, and Newco desires to accept, the Flowco Interests at the Closing in exchange for those certain Series A Units specified in this Agreement (the “Flowco

Contribution”);

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Flogistix Holdings desires to contribute, and Newco desires to accept, the Flogistix Interests at the Closing in exchange for those certain Series A Units specified in this Agreement (the “Flogistix Contribution” and together with the Estis Contribution and the Flowco Contribution, each a

Contribution” and collectively, the “Contributions”);

WHEREAS, the Parties intend for the Contributions to occur simultaneously at the Closing and as a result of the Contributions, following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Estis Companies, the Flowco Companies and the Flogistix Companies will be directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries of Newco; and

 

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WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the terms identified in other sections of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings specified or referred to in this Article I:

2024 Budget” means with respect to each of the Companies, respectively, the applicable budget set forth on Annex IV.

Accounting Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c).

Accounting Principles” means the accounting methods, policies, principles, practices, procedures, classifications, judgments and estimation methodology set forth on Annex II.

Action” means any action, suit, claim, counterclaim, charge, arbitration proceeding, administrative or regulatory investigation, review, audit, proceeding, citation, summons or subpoena of any nature (civil, criminal, regulatory or otherwise) in Law or in equity, by or before a Governmental Authority.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purpose of this definition, the term “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of this Agreement, prior to the Closing, none of the Parties shall be deemed Affiliates of each other.

Aged Receivables” means Receivables of a Company that have been outstanding for more than ninety (90) days after the relevant invoice date.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Altec” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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Assignment Agreements” means, collectively, the assignment and contribution agreements, each in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A-1, Exhibit A-2 or Exhibit A-3, as applicable, evidencing the assignment and transfer to Newco of the Estis Interests, the Flowco Interests or the Flogistix Interests, respectively.

Balance Sheet Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(a).

Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b).

Benefit Plans” means each Plan sponsored, maintained, or contributed to (or required to be contributed to) by, or with respect to which there is Liability of, any of the Companies.

Business Contract” means any of the following to which any of the Companies is a party or by which their respective assets or properties are bound:

 

  (a)

all Contracts (other than any Contracts with any customers or suppliers) (i) involving aggregate consideration, or payments made to or by a Company, in excess of $350,000 over the remainder of the term thereof; or (ii) requiring performance by any Person more than one (1) year from the date hereof, which, in each case, cannot be cancelled by the Company that is party thereto, as applicable, on less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice without material penalty or additional obligation on the part of such Company;

 

  (b)

all Contracts containing noncompetition, exclusivity, total requirements, most-favored-nation or similar provisions that bind the Company that is party thereto, as applicable;

 

  (c)

all Contracts that grant any Person any rights of first refusal, rights of first offer or similar rights;

 

  (d)

all Contracts entered into within the three (3)-year period preceding the date hereof that relate to the acquisition of any business, any Equity Securities, any debt interest or any material assets of any other Person or any real property (including by lease, merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);

 

  (e)

except for Contracts relating to ordinary course trade payables, all Contracts evidencing, relating to, creating or guaranteeing any Indebtedness or the mortgaging or pledging of, or otherwise placing an Encumbrance on, any Company’s assets, properties or Equity Securities;

 

  (f)

all Contracts between a Company, as applicable, on the one hand, and any Related Party of such Company, on the other hand (other than a Company);

 

  (g)

all collective bargaining agreements or other Contracts with any labor organization, labor union, works council or similar representative of employees to which any Company, as applicable, is a party or is in any way bound or obligated;

 

  (h)

all Contracts with a professional employer organization, personnel staffing organization, employee leasing organization or other entity that provides personnel services or other employment related or employee benefit related services to any Company;

 

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  (i)

all Contracts relating to or affecting the use of any tangible personal property used in the business of any Company, including any operating lease, capital lease or otherwise, in each case, providing for an annual commitment by any Company in excess of $350,000;

 

  (j)

all Contracts for the lease, use or occupancy of any real property, including any licenses, subleases and sublicenses;

 

  (k)

all Contracts which limit or restrict any Company from engaging in any business activity or competing with any Person or in any geographical area or soliciting, hiring or employing any Person;

 

  (l)

all Contracts with any Governmental Authority;

 

  (m)

any Contract granting or restricting the right to use any Intellectual Property (excluding off-the-shelf, shrinkwrap and similar software license agreements and nonexclusive licenses granted to or from customers and vendors in the ordinary course of business);

 

  (n)

any Contracts with any Material Customers (provided that such Material Customers have annual revenue in excess of $1,000,000) or Material Suppliers, as applicable;

 

  (o)

any Contracts providing for bonuses, options, stock purchases, deferred compensation or profit sharing, including any transaction bonuses or change of control bonuses, or severance payments;

 

  (p)

any Contracts that contain indemnification obligations (other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is not to provide such indemnification);

 

  (q)

any Contracts providing for the deferred payment of any purchase price, including any “earn out” or other contingent fee arrangement to the extent such arrangement has not been previously paid, terminated or satisfied; and

 

  (r)

all partnership, joint venture or other similar agreements involving any sharing of profits.

Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks located in Houston, Texas are authorized or required by Law to be closed for business.

Business Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).

Business Facilities” means, with respect to a Company, any real property that such Company currently leases, operates, owns or manages.

 

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CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and any other statute referenced therein as being applicable thereto (including the Small Business Act), and the rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential memoranda, and guidance (including SBA Procedural Notice number 5000-20057 effective October 2, 2020) applicable to the foregoing, in each case, as amended.

Cash” means, with respect to a Company and without duplication, all cash and cash equivalents (including any certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three (3) months or less), of such Company and determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles; provided, that Cash shall not include (a) cash held outside the United States, (b) any cash or cash equivalents that are restricted and will not be available for use after the Closing, (c) any amounts reflected in Working Capital and (d) any cash pledged as collateral in respect of insurance policies. For the avoidance of doubt, Cash (i) shall exclude any checks or drafts issued by a Company that are uncleared, (ii) shall include checks, wire transfers, drafts and other deposits received by or available for deposit for the account of such Company (including any issued but uncleared checks or drafts) and (iii) shall exclude any cash and cash equivalents held in escrow or as a deposit.

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.

Closing Adjustment Amounts” means the Estis Closing Adjustment Amount, Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount and Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount, collectively.

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

Closing Statements” means the Estis Closing Statement, the Flowco Closing Statement and the Flogistix Closing Statement, collectively.

Closing Units” means the Estis Closing Units, Flowco Closing Units and Flogistix Closing Units, collectively.

COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, as amended.

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

Companies” means the Estis Companies, the Flowco Companies and the Flogistix Companies, collectively. Each of the Estis Companies, the Flowco Companies and the Flogistix Companies may be individually referred to herein as a “Company”.

Company Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15.

Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2024, by and between GEC Advisors LLC and White Deer Management LLC.

Contracting Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.16.

Contracts” means all contracts, leases, deeds, mortgages, licenses, instruments, notes, undertakings and all other agreements, commitments and legally binding arrangements, whether written or oral.

 

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Contribution” and “Contributions” have the meanings set forth in the Recitals.

Contributor” and “Contributors” have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Corporate Encumbrances” means (a) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities Laws, (b) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the applicable Company, and (c) any Encumbrances which are otherwise listed on Schedule 1.1-CE of the applicable Disclosure Schedule.

Credit Agreements” means, collectively, the Estis Credit Agreement, the Flogistix Credit Agreement and the Flowco Credit Agreement, and each, individually, a “Credit Agreement”.

D&O Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05(a).

Direct Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c).

Disclosure Schedules” means the Estis Disclosure Schedules, the Flowco Disclosure Schedules and the Flogistix Disclosure Schedules.

Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.05.

Disputed Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c).

Disputing Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c).

Encumbrances” means any encumbrances, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, security interests, deeds of trust, other deeds to secure debt, liens, impositions, charges, options, conditional sales contracts, claims, restrictions, covenants, licenses (excluding licenses of Intellectual Property), proxies, easements, rights of way, title defects or other encumbrances or restrictions of any nature whatsoever.

Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(e).

Environmental Laws” means all applicable Law relating to (a) pollution or the protection of the natural environment (which includes its ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface and subsurface strata) and natural resources, (b) the protection of human health and safety as it pertains to exposure to Hazardous Substances, (c) the manufacture, registration, processing, distribution, use, formulation, packaging or labeling of Hazardous Substances or products containing Hazardous Substances, or (d) the treatment, handling, storage, use, presence, generation, disposal, arrangement for transport, arrangement for disposal, transport, reporting, handling or remediation, Release or threatened Release of or exposure to any Hazardous Substances.

Environmental Permits” means all Permits of or from any Governmental Authority required under any Environmental Law for any Person to conduct its operations or own or operate any Business Facilities consistent with past or current practices.

 

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Equity Interests” means capital stock, partnership or membership interests or units (whether general or limited), and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and/or losses of, or distribution of assets of, the issuing entity.

Equity Securities” means (a) Equity Interests, (b) subscriptions, calls, warrants, options or commitments of any kind or character relating to, or entitling any Person to acquire, any Equity Interests, and (c) securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests.

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

ERISA Affiliate” means each Person that is or was required to be treated as a single employer with any Company in each case, under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA, within six (6) years prior to the Closing Date.

Estis Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Estis Credit Agreement”.

Estis Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(c).

Estis Closing Adjustment Amount” means an amount equal to (a) if the Estis Working Capital is (i) greater than $78,000,000, a positive amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $58,000,000, a negative number equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $58,000,000 but less than or equal to $78,000,000, zero, plus (b) if the Estis Net Indebtedness Amount is (i) greater than $250,000,000, a negative amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $230,000,000, a positive amount equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $230,000,000 but less than or equal to $250,000,000, zero, minus (c) any Estis Transaction Expenses, to the extent not paid by Estis Holdings in accordance with Section 3.03(a).

Estis Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b)(i).

Estis Closing Units” means the number of Series A Units listed opposite Estis Holdings’ name on Annex I attached hereto.

Estis Company” and “Estis Companies” have the meanings set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Compression” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2019, among Estis Compression, as borrower, the other loan parties party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Estis Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Estis Administrative Agent”), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2022, and as further amended by the Estis Credit Agreement Consent.

Estis Credit Agreement Consent” means a consent and/or amendment, to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date, among Estis Compression, the Estis Lenders party thereto and the Estis Administrative Agent, which shall permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents under the Estis Credit Agreement.

 

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Estis Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules to this Agreement prepared and delivered by Estis Holdings concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

Estis Estimated Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a)(i).

Estis Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(a).

Estis Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Estis Group Law Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Estis Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Estis Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Estis Companies.

Estis Indemnitees” means, collectively (excluding the Flowco Indemnitees, the Flogistix Indemnitees, Newco and the Companies, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein), the Estis Group, their Affiliates and their respective shareholders, partners, members, equityholders, Representatives, successors and assigns.

Estis Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Intermediate Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Estis Credit Agreement in this Article I.

Estis Management Inc.” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Management LLC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Estis Net Indebtedness Amount” means an amount (which amount may be positive or negative) equal to (a) the Estis Indebtedness as of immediately prior to the Closing, minus (b) all Cash of the Estis Companies as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Estis Pre-Closing Transaction Documents” means, collectively, (a) that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, by and between Estis Holdings and Estis Intermediate Holdings and (b) any other agreements, instruments and documents executed or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Estis Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(a).

Estis Transaction Expenses” means all Transaction Expenses incurred by Estis Holdings, the Estis Companies or any of their Affiliates prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing.

Estis Working Capital” means the Working Capital of the Estis Companies.

 

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Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws” means all Laws relating to economic or financial sanctions or trade imposed, administered, or enforced from time to time by: (a) the United States of America, including those administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Commerce; and (b) any other Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Party.

FCPA” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Improper Payments Laws in this Article I.

Final Determination” means (a) the mutual agreement of the Parties in writing or (b) a final non-appealable order of any court of competent jurisdiction.

Financial Statements” means, (a) when referring to the Financial Statements of the Estis Companies, the Estis Financial Statements, (b) when referring to the Financial Statements of the Flowco Companies, the Flowco Financial Statements, and (c) when referring to the Financial Statements of the Flogistix Companies, the Flogistix Financial Statements.

Flogistix Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Flogistix Credit Agreement in this Article I.

Flogistix Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(c).

Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount” means an amount equal to (a) if the Flogistix Working Capital is (i) greater than $80,000,000, a positive amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $60,000,000, a negative number equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $60,000,000 but less than or equal to $80,000,000, zero, plus (b) if the Flogistix Net Indebtedness Amount is (i) greater than $230,000,000, a negative amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $210,000,000, a positive amount equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $210,000,000 but less than or equal to $230,000,000, zero, minus (c) any Flogistix Transaction Expenses, to the extent not paid by Flogistix Holdings in accordance with Section 3.03(c).

Flogistix Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b)(iii).

Flogistix Closing Units” means the number of Series A Units listed opposite Flogistix Holdings’ name on Annex I attached hereto.

Flogistix Company” and “Flogistix Companies” have the meanings set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Credit Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2015, by and among Flogistix LP, the other loan parties party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Flogistix Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Flogistix Administrative Agent”), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2019, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2022, as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2022, and as further amended by the Flogistix Credit Agreement Consent.

 

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Flogistix Credit Agreement Consent” means that certain Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2024, by and among Flogistix LP, the other loan parties party thereto, the Flogistix Administrative Agent and the Flogistix Lenders party thereto.

Flogistix de Mexico” means Flogistix de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Flogistix Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules to this Agreement prepared and delivered by Flogistix Holdings concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

Flogistix Estimated Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a)(iii).

Flogistix Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(c).

Flogistix GP” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Flogistix Group Law Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Flogistix Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Flogistix Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Flogistix Companies.

Flogistix Indemnitees” means, collectively (excluding the Estis Indemnitees, the Flowco Indemnitees, Newco and the Companies, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein), the Flogistix Group, their Affiliates and their respective shareholders, partners, Representatives, successors and assigns.

Flogistix Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Intermediate Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Flogistix Credit Agreement in this Article I.

Flogistix LP” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Net Indebtedness Amount” means an amount (which amount may be positive or negative) equal to (a) the Flogistix Indebtedness as of immediately prior to the Closing, minus (b) all Cash of the Flogistix Companies as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Flogistix OBU” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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Flogistix Pre-Closing Transaction Documents” means, collectively, (a) that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2024, by and between Flogistix Holdings and Flogistix Intermediate Holdings and (b) any other agreements, instruments and documents executed or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Flogistix Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(c).

Flogistix Transaction Expenses” means all Transaction Expenses incurred by Flogistix Holdings, the Flogistix Companies or any of their Affiliates prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing.

Flogistix ULC” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flogistix Working Capital” means the Working Capital of the Flogistix Companies.

Flow-Through Income Taxes” means U.S. federal income Taxes and any similar income Taxes imposed by any state or local Laws on the direct or indirect owners of any entity classified as a partnerhsip or other entity on a flow-through basis by allocating or attributing to such owners all of such entity’s items of income, gain, loss, deduction and other relevant tax items.

Flowco Borrowers” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Flowco Credit Agreement in this Article I.

Flowco Canada” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flowco Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(c).

Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount” means an amount equal to (a) if the Flowco Working Capital is (i) greater than $75,000,000, a positive amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $55,000,000, a negative number equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $55,000,000 but less than or equal to $75,000,000, zero, plus (b) if the Flowco Net Indebtedness Amount is (i) greater than $45,000,000, a negative amount equal to such excess, (ii) less than $35,000,000, a positive amount equal to such shortfall, or (iii) greater than or equal to $35,000,000 but less than or equal to $45,000,000, zero, minus (c) any Flowco Transaction Expenses, to the extent not paid by Flowco Production Solutions in accordance with Section 3.03(b).

Flowco Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b)(ii).

Flowco Closing Units” means the number of Series A Units listed opposite Flowco Production Solutions’ name on Annex I attached hereto.

Flowco Company” and “Flowco Companies” have the meanings set forth in the Recitals.

Flowco Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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Flowco Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2020, by and among Flowco Production Solutions, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with Flowco Production Solutions, the “Flowco Borrowers”) and Fifth Third Bank, National Association, as lender (the “Flowco Lender”), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022, and as further amended by the Flowco Credit Agreement Consent.

Flowco Credit Agreement Consent” means a consent and/or amendment, to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date, among the Flowco Borrowers and the Flowco Lender, which shall permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents under the Flowco Credit Agreement.

Flowco Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules to this Agreement prepared and delivered by Flowco Production Solutions concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

Flowco Estimated Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a)(ii).

Flowco Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(b).

Flowco Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Flowco Group Law Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Flowco Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Flowco Companies.

Flowco Indemnitees” means, collectively (excluding the Estis Indemnitees, the Flogistix Indemnitees, Newco and the Companies, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein), the Flowco Group, their Affiliates and their respective shareholders, partners, members, equityholders, Representatives, successors and assigns.

Flowco Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flowco Lender” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Flowco Credit Agreement in this Article I.

Flowco Net Indebtedness Amount” means an amount (which amount may be positive or negative) equal to (a) the Flowco Indebtedness as of immediately prior to the Closing, minus (b) all Cash of the Flowco Companies as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Flowco Pre-Closing Transaction Documents” means, collectively, (a) that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, by and between Flowco Production Solutions and Flowco Productions, (b) that certain Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, by and between Flowco Production Solutions and Flowco Productions and (c) any other agreements, instruments and documents executed or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Flowco Productions” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Flowco Production Solutions” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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Flowco Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(b).

Flowco Transaction Bonuses” means the following payments, collectively: (a) $500,000 to Stuart Harlow; (b) $500,000 to Darryl Polasek; and (c) $500,000 to Mitch Boyd.

Flowco Transaction Expenses” means all Transaction Expenses incurred by Flowco Production Solutions, the Flowco Companies or any of their Affiliates prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Flowco Transaction Bonuses).

Flowco Working Capital” means the Working Capital of the Flowco Companies.

FPS Logistics” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

FPS Properties” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Fraud” means, with respect to a Party, actual and intentional Delaware common law fraud in such Party’s making of any representation or warranty set forth in Article IV, Article V, Article VI, as applicable, or any other Transaction Document, which for the avoidance of doubt shall require that at the time such representation was made (a) such representation was inaccurate, (b) such Party had actual knowledge (and not imputed or constructive knowledge) of the inaccuracy of such representation, (c) such Party had the specific intent to induce any other Party to enter into this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and (d) the other Party justifiably relied on such inaccurate representation to its actual detriment. For the avoidance of doubt, “Fraud” does not include any claim for equitable fraud, promissory fraud, unfair dealings fraud, or any torts (including a claim for fraud) based on negligence or recklessness.

Fundamental Representations” means, collectively, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.01 (Organization; Good Standing; Authorization), Section 4.02 (Capitalization), Section 4.03(a) (No Conflicts), Section 4.04 (No Subsidiaries), Section 4.20 (Brokers), Section 4.24 (Related Party Transactions), Section 5.01 (Organization and Good Standing), Section 5.02 (Ownership; Due Authorization and Authority), Section 5.03(a) (No Conflicts), Section 6.01 (Organization; Good Standing), Section 6.02 (Authority; Enforceability), Section 6.03 (Ownership; Due Authorization) and Section 6.05 (No Operations).

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal or other domestic or foreign court, arbitral body, administrative or governmental body, department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality, legislative, executive or regulatory authority or agency.

Governmental Order” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, ruling, stipulation, assessment, determination or award, whether preliminary or final, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

 

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Hazardous Substance” means any chemicals, substance, material or waste listed, defined, designated or classified as “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “solid waste,” “hazardous constituent,” “restricted hazardous constituent,” “regulated substance,” “air contaminant,” “pollutant” or “contaminant” pursuant to any Environmental Law or that is otherwise regulated or controlled as hazardous, toxic or radioactive under any Environmental Laws, including petroleum and petroleum products, by-products, derivatives or wastes, radioactive materials, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials or products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or materials containing same, or regulated concentrations or quantities of lead or lead-based paints.

Holdings Prepared Return” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(c).

Improper Payment Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), any legislation implementing the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Official in International Business Transactions, and any other applicable Law regarding anti-bribery or illegal payments or gratuities.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to a specified Person and without duplication, any Liabilities (contingent or otherwise) relating to (a) all indebtedness (including principal, interest and any prepayment penalties or breakage fees, expenses or fees thereon) and obligations created, issued or incurred by such Person for borrowed money (whether or not evidenced by loan, note, bond, debenture, security or the issuance and sale of debt securities or the sale of property to another person subject to a Contract), (b) all reimbursement obligations and obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and performance bonds, whether or not matured, (c) all obligations payable by such Person under swaps, hedges, caps, collars, options, futures or similar instruments, (d) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, (e) all obligations of such Person as lessee under leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases, (f) all obligations of such Persons for the deferred purchase price of property, assets or services, including earnouts, payments under non-compete agreements and seller notes, (g) any amounts or loans under the CARES Act which are not forgiven (including any amounts for any outstanding or unforgiven PPP loans as of the Closing Date), (h) all declared but unpaid dividends or distributions, (i) any management fees, advisory fees, director fees and similar expense reimbursement obligations payable to Related Parties (other than any Company), (j) all Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a) through (i) above secured by any Encumbrance on the property of such Person, whether or not the respective Indebtedness so secured is a primary obligation of, or has been assumed by, such Person, and (k) all guaranties (including guaranties in the form of an agreement to repurchase or reimburse, letters of credit and guaranties by such Person of performance obligations of another Person) by such Person of payment or collection of any Indebtedness of any other Person of the type described in clauses (a) through (i) above; provided, however, that “Indebtedness” shall expressly exclude amounts included in the calculation of Transaction Expenses or Working Capital.

Indemnification Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.09.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06.

 

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Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06.

Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16(a).

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights anywhere in the world, including: (a) patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, utility models, inventor’s certificates, design registrations including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, extensions, reissues and reexaminations (“Patents”); (b) trademarks, trademark applications, trademark registrations, trade names, fictitious business names (d/b/a’s), service marks, service mark applications, service mark registrations, URL’s domain names, trade dress, and logos, social media accounts and handles, and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing; (c) copyrights and works of authorship in any media (including computer programs, software, databases and compilations, files, applications, internet site content, and documentation and related items), whether or not registered, copyright registrations, and copyright applications; and (d) trade secrets, confidential information and other proprietary information, including all source code, know-how, processes, technology, formulae, customer lists, inventions, and marketing information, but in each case, excluding any off-the-shelf software.

JMI” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Knowledge” means

 

  (a)

When referring to the “knowledge” of Estis Holdings, or any similar phrase or qualification based on knowledge of any of the Estis Companies or Estis Holdings (individually or collectively), the actual knowledge of Jonathan Fairbanks and Alexander Chmelev without any obligation of due inquiry.

 

  (b)

When referring to the “knowledge” of Flowco Production Solutions, or any similar phrase or qualification based on knowledge of any of the Flowco Companies or Flowco Production Solutions (individually or collectively), the actual knowledge of Jonathan Fairbanks and Alexander Chmelev without any obligation of due inquiry.

 

  (c)

When referring to the “knowledge” of Flogistix Holdings, or any similar phrase or qualification based on knowledge of any of the Flogistix Companies or Flogistix Holdings (individually or collectively), the actual knowledge of Joseph Edwards and Varun Babbili without any obligation of due inquiry.

Law” means any and all applicable (a) federal, state, provincial, local and foreign laws, statutes, common law rulings, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, Permits, bylaws, variances, policies, judgments, injunctions, orders and conditions, including Environmental Laws of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assets or properties of the applicable Person and/or the operations thereof; (b) non-appealable judgments by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assets or properties of the applicable Person and/or the operations thereof; (c) settlement agreements, consent agreements, agreed orders and similar enforcement contracts with any federal, state, local or foreign court, arbitrator or administrative or Governmental Authority relating to compliance with matters described in clause (a) or (b) above to which the applicable Person is party; and (d) consent decrees and similar enforcement arrangements to which the applicable Person is party.

 

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Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(b).

Lessee” means any Company, as applicable, that is party to any Real Property Leases.

Liabilities” means all Actions, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations or commitments of any nature whatsoever (including any undisclosed, unfixed, unknown, unliquidated, unsecured, unmatured, unaccrued, unasserted, absolute, contingent, conditional, inchoate, implied, vicarious, joint, several or secondary liabilities), regardless of whether required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP or known as of the Closing.

Losses” means any cost, loss, Liability, Tax, obligation, damage, deficiency, expense (including costs of investigation and defense and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs), fine, penalty, judgment, award or assessment.

Mana has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Material Adverse Effect” means any result, occurrence, fact, change, event, effect or condition that, individually or in the aggregate with all other such results, occurrences, facts, changes, events, effects or conditions, (a) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Estis Companies, Flowco Companies or Flogistix Companies (as applicable) taken as a whole or (b) would, or would reasonably be expected to, prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by any Party of it obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

Material Customers” has the meaing set forth in Section 4.23(a).

Material Suppliers” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.23(b).

McClung Management” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

McClung Services” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Newco” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Newco Law Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).

Newco LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Newco, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

Newco Prepared Return” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(c).

Newco Sharing Ratio” means, with respect to each Contributor, the fraction (expressed as a percentage of 100%), the numerator of which is the number of Closing Units held by such Contributor, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of issued and oustanding Closing Units.

 

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Non-Reimbursable Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.

Nonparty Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.16.

Organizational Documents” means the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws, operating agreement, partnership agreement, shareholders agreement, certificate of designations for preferred stock and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates executed, adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of a Person, including all amendments thereto and restatements thereof.

Owned Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(a).

Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Patents” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Intellectual Property in this Article I.

Patriot” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Permits” means all permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, authorizations, registrations, certificates, variances and similar rights obtained, or required to be obtained, from Governmental Authorities.

Permitted Encumbrance” means: (a) Encumbrances for Taxes and other governmental charges and assessments in the nature of a Tax which (i) are not yet due and payable or (ii) the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established as required in accordance with GAAP on the applicable Party’s financial statements, (b) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and other similar Encumbrances arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business and for amounts which are not due and payable or the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and for which adequate reserves have been established if required in accordance with GAAP, on such Person’s financial statements, (c) title of a lessor under a capital or operating lease, (d) all applicable (i) easements, restrictions, covenants, rights of way and similar Encumbrances, and (ii) zoning, building and land use Laws, ordinances, regulations, and similar restrictions and conditions imposed by any Governmental Authority, that, in each case, are not violated by the current use of the property affected thereby, and that do not materially impair the value or present use of the property subject thereto, (e) any Encumbrances with respect to real property leases, including any real property leases which are recorded as capital leases, (f) other Encumbrances that: (i) do not materially impair the value or present use of the assets of the applicable Person, (ii) do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business of the applicable Person as presently conducted and (iii) were incurred in the ordinary course of business and (g) with respect to the Companies, Encumbrances that will be satisfied or released of record prior to or in connection with the Closing or which are otherwise listed on Schedule 1.1-PE of the applicable Disclosure Schedule.

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity.

 

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Plan” means each “employee benefit plan,” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not subject to ERISA), and any employment, individual consulting, deferred compensation, change in control, severance, termination, retention, incentive compensation, equity-based compensation, pension, profit sharing, savings, retirement, welfare, vacation, paid time off, sick leave or other similar compensation or benefit agreement, plan, policy, program or arrangement.

Pre-Closing Date Tax Period” means any Tax period (or a portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date.

Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(b).

Real Property Leases” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(b).

Receivables” means all accounts receivable, bills receivable and trade accounts receivable of the Companies, together with any unpaid interest accrued on such items and any security or collateral for such items, including recoverable deposits.

Registered IP” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21(a).

Related Party” means, (a) with respect to an individual, (i) each member of her or his family, (ii) any Person directly or indirectly controlled by her or him or one or more members of her or his family, or (iii) any Person with respect to which she or he or one or more members of her or his family serves as a member, manager, director, officer, partner, employee, executor or trustee (or in a similar capacity) and (b) with respect to a Person (other than an individual), (i) an Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any Person that holds a material interest in such Person, (iii) each Person that serves as a member, manager, director, officer, partner, employee, executor or trustee of such Person (or in a similar capacity), (iv) any Person in which such Person holds a material interest, and (v) any Person with respect to which such Person serves as a general partner or a trustee (or in a similar capacity).

Release” means any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, escaping, injection, disposal, migrating or leaching into or through the environment (which includes its ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface and subsurface strata) or into or out of any property, including the movement of Hazardous Substances through or in the ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface and subsurface area.

Released Action” means any Action arising out of, based upon, or relating to any act, omission, event, condition or circumstance occurring or existing at any time prior to the Closing Date, in each case, to the extent arising out of or relating to the direct or indirect ownership of, or the management, operation or business of the Companies; provided, the term “Released Action” will not include any (a) Action arising out of or related to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or any other document, certificate, instrument or agreement executed in connection with the consummation of the transactions, or performance of any obligations, contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (b) Actions for indemnification pursuant to the Organizational Documents of the Companies as applicable, under any Law or that any other Person may have with respect to directors’ and officers’ or errors and omissions insurance policies of the applicable Company, as applicable, in each case in such Person’s capacity as an employee, officer, director or manager (or person serving in a similar capacity) of the applicable Company, as applicable.

 

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Representative” means, with respect to any Person, any and all directors, officers, managers, employees, consultants, financial advisors, counsel, accountants, and other agents of such Person. For purposes of Section 4.25 of this Agreement, Flogistix de Mexico shall be deemed a Representative of the Flogistix Companies.

Rolling Stock” means all tractors and trailers or other rolling stock owned or leased by a Person from third parties for use in the business of such Person.

Sanctioned Country” means any country, region or territory that is the subject or target of any comprehensive economic or trade sanctions under Export Controls or Economic Sanctions Laws (as of the date of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and certain regions of Ukraine).

Sanctioned Person” means any Person, vessel, or aircraft that is: (a) listed on any sanctions-related list of designated or blocked Persons administered by a Governmental Authority under Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws (including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List); (b) registered in, resident in, or organized under the Laws of a Sanctioned Country; (c) 50% or more owned or controlled by a person or persons described in clauses (a) or (b); or (d) otherwise the subject or target of sanctions or blocking measures under Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws.

Series A Units has the meaning given to such term in the Newco LLC Agreement.

Straddle Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(b).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person that is an entity, any other entity of which a majority of the ownership interests or voting securities having the power to elect the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions, or otherwise having the power to control such entity, are controlled directly or indirectly by such Person.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies, imposts and other governmental charges in the nature of a tax imposed by any Governmental Authority, including income, franchise, profits, margins, gross receipts, occupation, premium, capital gains, net proceeds, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem, value added, turnover, sales, use, customs, duties, property, personal property (tangible and intangible), environmental, stamp, leasing, lease, user, excise, duty, franchise, capital stock, transfer, registration, license, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, payroll, employment, fuel, excess profits, occupational, premium, windfall profit, severance, production, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any deficiency assessment, interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the liability for any of the foregoing obligations of any other person whether or not shown as due or payable on any Tax Return.

 

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Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

Third-Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(a)(i).

Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Assignment Agreements, the Newco LLC Agreement, the Estis Credit Agreement Consent, the Flogistix Credit Agreement Consent, the Flowco Credit Agreement Consent and the other agreements, instruments and documents required to be delivered by the Parties at the Closing.

Transaction Expenses” means all Liabilities, costs, fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions, Flogistix Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including (a) all fees and expenses of professionals (including attorneys, accountants and other consultants and advisors), (b) any consent fees, and (c) any severance costs or retention, transaction, change in control or other similar bonuses or monetary obligations that become due as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any such costs, bonuses, or obligations that would become due as a result of consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and an additional or subsequent action or event), including any related employer paid portion of any employment, unemployment, social security or payroll Taxes with respect to the foregoing payments, but excluding Transfer Taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, “Transaction Expenses” shall exclude any such fees, expenses, costs, bonuses or obligations to the extent included in Indebtedness or Working Capital.

Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(e).

Working Capital” means, without duplication, with respect to (i) the Estis Companies, on a consolidated basis, (ii) the Flogistix Companies, on a consolidated basis, or (iii) the Flowco Companies, on a consolidated basis, as the case may be, (a) the total current assets of such Companies, minus (b) the total current liabilities of such Companies, in each case, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles as of immediately prior to the Closing. An illustrative example of the Working Capital calculation for each of the Companies using the Accounting Principles applicable thereto is set forth on Annex III. For the avoidance of doubt, “Working Capital” shall exclude Cash, Indebtedness and Transaction Expenses.

ARTICLE II

CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 2.01. Estis Contribution. In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Closing and simultaneously with the other Contributions, Estis Holdings shall transfer, assign and contribute to Newco, and Newco shall accept and acquire, the Estis Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances. In exchange for the Estis Contribution, Newco shall issue and deliver to Estis Holdings, and Estis Holdings shall accept and acquire, the Estis Closing Units, subject to the terms and restrictions in this Agreement, the Newco LLC Agreement and applicable securities Laws.

 

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Section 2.02. Flowco Contribution. In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Closing and simultaneously with the other Contributions, Flowco Production Solutions shall transfer, assign and contribute to Newco, and Newco shall accept and acquire, the Flowco Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances. In exchange for the Flowco Contribution, Newco shall issue and deliver to Flowco Production Solutions, and Flowco Production Solutions shall accept and acquire, the Flowco Closing Units, subject to the terms and restrictions in this Agreement, the Newco LLC Agreement and applicable securities Laws.

Section 2.03. Flogistix Contribution. In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Closing and simultaneously with the other Contributions, Flogistix Holdings shall transfer, assign and contribute to Newco, and Newco shall accept and acquire, the Flogistix Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances. In exchange for the Flogistix Contribution, Newco shall issue and deliver to Flogistix Holdings, and Flogistix Holdings shall accept and acquire, the Flogistix Closing Units, subject to the terms and restrictions in this Agreement, the Newco LLC Agreement and applicable securities Laws.

ARTICLE III

CLOSING

Section 3.01. Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Contributions contemplated herein (the “Closing”) shall take place electronically via the exchange of documents and signatures on the Closing Date. The Closing shall be effective for all purposes at 12:01 a.m., local time, in Houston, Texas on the Closing Date.

Section 3.02. True-Up Adjustment Provisions.

(a) Delivery of Estimated Closing Statements.

(i) Prior to the Closing, Estis Holdings prepared and delivered to each of the other Parties an estimated closing statement (the “Estis Estimated Statement”), signed on behalf of Estis Holdings by a duly authorized officer of Estis Holdings, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a consolidated balance sheet of the Estis Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth its good faith calculations of (1) the Estis Working Capital, (2) the Estis Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Estis Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(a) and (4) the resulting Estis Closing Adjustment Amount.

(ii) Prior to the Closing, Flowco Production Solutions prepared and delivered to each of the other Parties an estimated closing statement (the “Flowco Estimated Statement”), signed on behalf of Flowco Production Solutions by a duly authorized officer of Flowco Production Solutions, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a consolidated balance sheet of the Flowco Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth its good faith calculations of (1) the Flowco Working Capital, (2) the Flowco Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Flowco Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(b) and (4) the resulting Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount.

 

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(iii) Prior to the Closing, Flogistix Holdings prepared and delivered to each of the other Parties an estimated closing statement (the “Flogistix Estimated Statement”), signed on behalf of Flogistix Holdings by a duly authorized officer of Flogistix Holdings, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a consolidated balance sheet of the Flogistix Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth its good faith calculations of (1) the Flogistix Working Capital, (2) the Flogistix Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Flogistix Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(c) and (4) the resulting Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount.

(b) Delivery of Closing Statements.

(i) Promptly after the Closing Date, and in any event not later than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, Newco shall prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, to Estis Holdings a statement (the “Estis Closing Statement”), signed on behalf of Newco by a duly authorized officer of Newco, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a balance sheet of the Estis Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth Newco’s good faith calculations of (1) the Estis Working Capital, (2) the Estis Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Estis Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(a) and (4) the resulting Estis Closing Adjustment Amount.

(ii) Promptly after the Closing Date, and in any event not later than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, Newco shall prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, to Flowco Production Solutions a statement (the “Flowco Closing Statement”), signed on behalf of Newco by a duly authorized officer of Newco, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a balance sheet of the Flowco Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth Newco’s good faith calculations of (1) the Flowco Working Capital, (2) the Flowco Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Flowco Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(b) and (4) the resulting Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount.

(iii) Promptly after the Closing Date, and in any event not later than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, Newco shall prepare and deliver, or cause to be prepared and delivered, to Flogistix Holdings a statement (the “Flogistix Closing Statement”), signed on behalf of Newco by duly authorized officers of Newco, with reasonable supporting detail containing (A) a balance sheet of the Flogistix Companies as of the Closing Date and (B) a statement setting forth Newco’s good faith calculations of (1) the Flogistix Working Capital, (2) the Flogistix Net Indebtedness Amount, (3) any Flogistix Transaction Expenses not discharged at or prior to the Closing in accordance with Section 3.03(c) and (4) the resulting Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount.

 

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(c) Dispute. Within thirty (30) days following receipt of a Closing Statement, the receiving party thereof shall deliver to the delivering party thereof written notice if the receiving party disputes any calculation or item set forth in such Closing Statement. If the receiving party does not so notify the delivering party of such a dispute with respect to such Closing Statement within such thirty (30)-day period, such Closing Statement will be final, conclusive and binding on the respective Parties and shall be deemed to set forth the final amounts for purposes of determining the applicable Closing Adjustment Amount. In the event of a notification of such dispute, the Party that delivered such Closing Statement and the Party that delivered the notification of such dispute (together, the “Disputing Parties”) shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such dispute. If the Disputing Parties, notwithstanding such good faith effort, fail to resolve such dispute within thirty (30) days after the applicable notice of objection, then the Disputing Parties jointly shall engage Whitley Penn, LLP provided that if Whitley Penn, LLP is not willing or unable to accept such engagement, then the Disputing Parties shall jointly engage another nationally or regionally recognized accounting firm that is not presently providing and has not provided any Party or their respective Affiliates with services in the last two (2) years, as mutually agreed upon by the Disputing Parties (the “Accounting Firm”) to resolve such dispute. As promptly as practicable thereafter, the Disputing Parties shall each prepare and submit a presentation to the Accounting Firm regarding those items (and only those items) reflected on the applicable Closing Statement that remain in dispute (the “Disputed Items”) and will instruct the Accounting Firm to, and the Accounting Firm will, make a final determination of the Disputed Items (and only the Disputed Items) in accordance with the guidelines, procedures and definitions set forth in this Agreement. In resolving any Disputed Item, the Accounting Firm may not assign a value to any item greater than the greatest value for such item claimed by either party or less than the smallest value for such item claimed by either party. The Disputing Parties will also instruct the Accounting Firm to, and the Accounting Firm will, make its determination based solely on presentations by the Disputing Parties that are in accordance with the guidelines, procedures and definitions set forth in this Agreement (i.e., not on the basis of an independent review). The Disputing Parties will cooperate with the Accounting Firm during the term of its engagement and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to resolve such dispute as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Disputed Items are submitted to the Accounting Firm. Except as the Disputing Parties may otherwise agree, all communications between them or any of their respective representatives, on the one hand, and the Accounting Firm, on the other hand, will be in writing with copies simultaneously delivered to the other Disputing Party. The Accounting Firm’s determination will, absent manifest error, be final and binding on the Disputing Parties and upon which a judgment may be entered by a court having jurisdiction pursuant to Section 10.05, and will not be subject to court review or otherwise appealable. The applicable Closing Statement shall be revised as appropriate to reflect the resolution of any objections thereto pursuant to this subsection (c) and, as so revised, such Closing Statement shall be deemed to set forth the final applicable Closing Adjustment Amount for all purposes hereunder. Each Disputing Party will bear its own legal, accounting and other fees and expenses of participating in the dispute resolution procedure set forth in this subsection (c). The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm will be borne by each Disputing Party in the proportion that the aggregate dollar amount of Disputed Items submitted thereto for resolution that are unsuccessfully disputed by such Disputing Party (as finally determined by the Accounting Firm) bears to the aggregate dollar amount of such submitted Disputed Items. For the avoidance of doubt, Flogistix Holdings shall control Newco solely with respect to the delivery of the Estis Closing Statement and the Flowco Closing Statement and, to the extent Estis Holdings or Flowco Production Solutions, as applicable, is a Disputing Party, shall control Newco solely with respect to the resolution of any Disputed Items included in the Estis Closing Statement or Flowco Closing Statement, as applicable.

 

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(d) Access.

(i) After Closing, Newco shall, and shall cause the Estis Companies to, (A) provide Flogistix Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions and their respective Representatives, upon reasonable prior notice, with reasonable access during normal business hours to the books, records (including work papers, schedules, memoranda and other documents), supporting data, facilities and employees of the Estis Companies solely for purposes of their review of the Estis Estimated Statement or their compliance, or the compliance of the Flogistix Companies or Flowco Companies, as applicable, with their obligations under the Flogistix Credit Agreement or the Flowco Credit Agreement, as applicable, and (B) reasonably cooperate with Flogistix Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions and their respective Representatives in connection with such review or compliance, including providing on a timely basis all other information reasonably necessary in connection with the review of the Estis Estimated Statement or with such compliance as is requested by Flogistix Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions or their respective Representatives.

(ii) After Closing, Newco shall, and shall cause the Flowco Companies to, (A) provide Flogistix Holdings, Estis Holdings and their respective Representatives, upon reasonable prior notice, with reasonable access during normal business hours to the books, records (including work papers, schedules, memoranda and other documents), supporting data, facilities and employees of the Flowco Companies solely for purposes of their review of the Flowco Estimated Statement or their compliance, or the compliance of the Estis Companies or Flogistix Companies, as applicable, with their obligations under the Estis Credit Agreement or the Flogistix Credit Agreement, as applicable, and (B) reasonably cooperate with Flogistix Holdings, Estis Holdings and their respective Representatives in connection with such review or compliance, including providing on a timely basis all other information reasonably necessary in connection with the review of the Flowco Estimated Statement or with such compliance as is requested by Flogistix Holdings, Estis Holdings or their respective Representatives.

(iii) After Closing, Newco shall, and shall cause the Flogistix Companies to, (A) provide Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions and their respective Representatives, upon reasonable prior notice, with reasonable access during normal business hours to the books, records (including work papers, schedules, memoranda and other documents), supporting data, facilities and employees of the Flogistix Companies solely for purposes of their review of the Flogistix Estimated Statement or their compliance, or the compliance of the Estis Companies or Flowco Companies, as applicable, with their obligations under the Estis Credit Agreement or Flowco Credit Agreement, as applicable, and (B) reasonably cooperate with Estis Holdings and Flowco Production Solutions and their respective Representatives in connection with such review or compliance, including providing on a timely basis all other information reasonably necessary in connection with the review of the Flogistix Estimated Statement or with such compliance as is requested by Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions or their respective Representatives.

 

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(e) Estis Closing Adjustment Amount.

(i) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Estis Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a positive number, then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to Estis Holdings distributions that would otherwise be made to Flowco Production Solutions and Flogistix Holdings pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(e)(i) equal to (A) (I) the Estis Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Estis Holdings plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Estis Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(i) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(ii) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Estis Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a negative number, then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to each of Flowco Production Solutions and Flogistix Holdings, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, distributions that would otherwise be made to Estis Holdings pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(e)(ii) equal to (A) (I) the absolute value of the Estis Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Estis Holdings plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Estis Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(i) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(f) Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount.

(i) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a positive number, then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to Flowco Production Solutions distributions that would otherwise be made to Estis Holdings and Flogistix Holdings pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(f)(i) equal to (A) (I) the Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Flowco Production Solutions plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Flowco Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(ii) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(ii) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a negative number, then,

 

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pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to each of Estis Holdings and Flogistix Holdings, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, distributions that would otherwise be made to Flowco Production Solutions pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(f)(ii) equal to (A) (I) the absolute value of the Flowco Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Flowco Production Solutions plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Flowco Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(ii) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(g) Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount.

(i) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a positive number, then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to Flogistix Holdings distributions that would otherwise be made to Estis Holdings and Flowco Production Solutions pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(g)(i) equal to (A) (I) the Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Flogistix Holdings plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Flogistix Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(iii) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(ii) Subject to Section 3.02(h), if the Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 3.02, is a negative number, then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to each of Estis Holdings and Flowco Production Solutions, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, distributions that would otherwise be made to Flogistix Holdings pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 3.02(g)(ii) equal to (A) (I) the absolute value of the Flogistix Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of Flogistix Holdings plus (B) interest accruing from the date the Flogistix Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b)(iii) on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly).

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in subsections (e), (f) and (g) above, to the extent that a Contributor is subject to a negative adjustment pursuant to Section 3.02(e), Section 3.02(f) or Section 3.02(g), as applicable, such Contributor may elect, pursuant to written notice to the other Parties within thirty (30) days from the date such Closing Adjustment Amounts are finally determined or agreed upon in accordance with this Section 3.02 to elect to satisfy such Closing Adjustment Amount by paying to the other Contributors, pro rata based on their relative Newco Sharing Ratios, an amount in cash equal to (i) (A) the absolute value of such negative Closing Adjustment Amount, multiplied by (B) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Newco Sharing Ratio of such electing Contributor plus (ii) interest accruing from the date the applicable

 

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Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02(b) on the amount in clause (i) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly), in lieu of the above referenced redirection of distributions, in which case, the electing Contributor shall make such cash true-up payment to the other Contributors within five (5) Business Days following the delivery of such written notice to the other Parties. If the Contributor does not provide such written notice to the other Parties within such thirty (30) day period, or does not make such cash true-up payment within such five (5) Business Day period referenced herein, then, the adjustment procedures set forth in Section 3.02(e), Section 3.02(f), and Section 3.02(g) shall apply.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, solely for purposes of withholding and redirecting distributions in accordance with this Section 3.02, any distributions to be withheld from a first Contributor and redirected to a second Contributor shall be reduced by distributions to be withheld from the second Contributor and redirected to the first Contributor. By way of illustration, if $100 of distributions to Flogistix Holdings are to be withheld and directed to Estis Holdings, and $100 of distributions to Estis Holdings are to be withheld and redirected to Flogistix Holdings, such distributions shall be netted to zero.

(j) The adjustments set forth in this Section 3.02 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates for any claims arising out of or relating to this Section 3.02, and no Party nor any of its Affiliates shall have any claim against any other Party or any Affiliate of such Party or any of its or their respective Affiliates in respect thereof.

Section 3.03. Closing Payments.

(a) At the Closing, Estis Holdings shall pay, or caused to be paid, all outstanding Estis Transaction Expenses by wire transfer of immediately available funds;

(b) at the Closing, Flowco Production Solutions shall pay, or cause to be paid, all outstanding Flowco Transaction Expenses by wire transfer of immediately available funds (other than the Flowco Transaction Bonuses which were paid prior to the Closing); and

(c) at the Closing, Flogistix Holdings shall pay, or caused to be paid, all outstanding Flogistix Transaction Expenses by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

Section 3.04. Deliveries of Estis Holdings. At the Closing, subject to the simultaneous performance by the other Parties of their respective obligations pursuant to Section 3.05, Section 3.06 and Section 3.07, as applicable, Estis Holdings shall execute, as appropriate, and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, the following to Newco and the other Parties, as applicable:

(a) an Assignment Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1, evidencing and effectuating the assignment of the Estis Interests to Newco in accordance with Section 2.01, duly executed by Estis Holdings;

(b) a counterpart signature page to the Newco LLC Agreement, duly executed by Estis Holdings;

 

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(c) a certificate of an authorized officer of Estis Holdings certifying to and providing copies of (i) the Organizational Documents of each of the Estis Companies in effect as of the Closing (including all amendments thereto), and (ii) the resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of Estis Holdings, authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Estis Holdings is a party and the consummation, and performance by Estis Holdings, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

(d) certificates of good standing (or the equivalent), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, from each jurisdiction in which Estis Holdings and any of the Estis Companies is domiciled and/or otherwise qualified to transact business as a foreign entity;

(e) duly executed copies of the consents, waivers and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.04(e) of the Estis Disclosure Schedule, including the Estis Credit Agreement Consent and all related documentation required as a condition precedent to effectiveness thereof; and

(f) a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 of Estis Holdings (or, if Estis Holdings is treated as an entity disregarded as separate from its regarded tax owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Person that is treated as its regarded tax owner for such purposes), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date.

Section 3.05. Deliveries of Flowco Production Solutions. At the Closing, subject to the simultaneous performance by the other Parties of their respective obligations pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 3.06 and Section 3.07, as applicable, Flowco Production Solutions shall execute, as appropriate, and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, the following to Newco and the other Parties, as applicable:

(a) an Assignment Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2, evidencing and effectuating the assignment of the Flowco Interests to Newco in accordance with Section 2.02, duly executed by Flowco Production Solutions;

(b) a counterpart signature page to the Newco LLC Agreement, duly executed by Flowco Production Solutions;

(c) a certificate of an authorized officer of Flowco Production Solutions certifying to and providing copies of (i) the Organizational Documents of each of the Flowco Companies in effect as of the Closing (including all amendments thereto), and (ii) the resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of Flowco Production Solutions, authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Flowco Production Solutions is a party and the consummation, and performance by Flowco Production Solutions, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

(d) certificates of good standing (or the equivalent), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, from each jurisdiction in which Flowco Production Solutions and any of the Flowco Companies is domiciled and/or otherwise qualified to transact business as a foreign entity;

 

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(e) duly executed copies of the consents, waivers and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.05(e) of the Flowco Disclosure Schedule, including the Flowco Credit Agreement Consent and all related documentation required as a condition precedent to effectiveness thereof;

(f) a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 of Flowco Production Solutions (or, if Flowco Production Solutions is treated as an entity disregarded as separate from its regarded tax owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Person that is treated as its regarded tax owner for such purposes), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date; and

(g) evidence of the payment of the Flowco Transaction Bonuses.

Section 3.06. Deliveries of Flogistix Holdings. At the Closing, subject to the simultaneous performance by the other Parties of their respective obligations pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 3.05 and Section 3.07, as applicable, Flogistix Holdings shall execute, as appropriate, and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, the following to Newco and the other Parties, as applicable:

(a) an Assignment Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-3, evidencing and effectuating the assignment of the Flogistix Interests to Newco in accordance with Section 2.03, duly executed by Flogistix Holdings;

(b) a counterpart signature page to the Newco LLC Agreement, duly executed by Flogistix Holdings;

(c) a certificate of an authorized officer of Flogistix Holdings certifying to and providing copies of (i) the Organizational Documents of each of the Flogistix Companies in effect as of the Closing (including all amendments thereto), and (ii) the resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of Flogistix Holdings, authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Flogistix Holdings is a party and the consummation, and performance by Flogistix Holdings, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

(d) certificates of good standing (or the equivalent), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, from each jurisdiction in which Flogistix Holdings and any of the Flogistix Companies is domiciled and/or otherwise qualified to transact business as a foreign entity;

(e) duly executed copies of the consents, waivers and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.06(e) of the Flogistix Disclosure Schedule, including the Flogistix Credit Agreement Consent and all related documentation required as a condition precedent to effectiveness thereof; and

(f) a completed IRS Form W-9, duly executed by Flogistix Holdings (or, if Flogistix Holdings is treated as an entity disregarded as separate from its regarded tax owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Person that is treated as its regarded tax owner for such purposes), dated as of a date within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date.

 

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Section 3.07. Deliveries of Newco. At the Closing, subject to the simultaneous performance by the other Parties of their respective obligations pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 3.05 and Section 3.06, as applicable, Newco shall execute, as appropriate, and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, the following to the other Parties, as applicable:

(a) the Estis Closing Units to Estis Holdings;

(b) the Flowco Closing Units to Flowco Production Solutions;

(c) the Flogistix Closing Units to Flogistix Holdings;

(d) a counterpart signature page to the Newco LLC Agreement, duly executed by Newco;

(e) the Assignment Agreements, duly executed by Newco; and

(f) a certificate of an authorized officer of Newco certifying to and providing copies of (i) the Organizational Documents of Newco in effect as of the Closing (including all amendments thereto), and (ii) the resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of Newco, authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Newco is a party and the consummation, and performance by Newco, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANIES

Except as set forth on the corresponding sections or subsections of (a) the Estis Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Estis Holdings, (b) the Flowco Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Flowco Production Solutions, or (c) the Flogistix Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Flogistix Holdings, each of Estis Holdings, solely with respect to the Estis Companies, Flowco Production Solutions, solely with respect to the Flowco Companies, and Flogistix Holdings, solely with respect to the Flogistix Companies, each hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties as follows:

Section 4.01. Organization; Good Standing; Authorization.

(a) Each Company is an entity duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state in which it was formed or incorporated. Each Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction, as applicable, as specified on Schedule 4.01(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules, which are the only jurisdictions in which the ownership, use or leasing of such Company’s assets or properties or the conduct or nature of its business makes such qualification, licensing or admission necessary, except, in each case, in any jurisdiction where the failure to be so qualified, licensed or admitted would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each Company has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use, and to perform all its obligations under its existing agreements, contracts and obligations.

 

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(c) True, correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Company, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, have been provided to the other Parties hereto.

(d) None of the Companies has conducted its business under or otherwise used, for any purpose in any jurisdiction, any “d/b/a,” fictitious name, assumed name, trade name or other name.

(e) Each Company has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver any Transaction Documents to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions thereof to be performed. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by such Company, the performance of all the terms and conditions thereof by such Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby by such Company have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite action on the part of such Company. The Transaction Documents to which such Company is a party have been or will be duly executed and delivered by such Company. The Transaction Documents to which such Company is a party constitute the valid and binding obligations of such Company, enforceable against such Company in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto), subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at Law or in equity) (the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

Section 4.02. Capitalization. Schedule 4.02 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules accurately sets forth the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of each Company and the name of each holder thereof and number and type of Equity Securities held by each such holder. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of the Companies have been, in each case, duly authorized and validly issued in compliance with applicable Law and the Organizational Documents of the Companies, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned beneficially and of record by the holders set forth on Schedule 4.02 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules. There are no outstanding or authorized (i) Equity Securities or other agreements or commitments to which any Company is a party or which is binding upon any Company providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of such Company’s Equity Securities or any rights or interests exercisable therefor, or (ii) obligations of any Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities. There are no outstanding or authorized profit participation rights, preemptive rights, approval rights, rights of first refusal, equity appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to any Company. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which any Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of any Equity Securities of any Companies.

Section 4.03. No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or the lapse of time, or both):

(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Organizational Documents of any Company;

 

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(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any statute, regulation or Governmental Order to which any Company, or any of the assets or properties owned or used by any Company, is subject, except as would not, in any such event, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole;

(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Authority the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any material Permit held by any Company;

(d) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any person or entity the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, amend or otherwise modify (A) any material Contract to which any Company is a party, or (B) any Contract under which any of the assets or properties owned or used by any Company is subject except (with respect to clause (B)) as would not, in any such event, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole;

(e) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) upon or with respect to any of the material assets or properties of the Companies; or

(f) give any Person the right (pursuant to a preferential purchase right, right of first refusal or offer, buy-sell arrangement or other provision) to acquire any of the material assets or properties of the Companies.

The Companies are not, and will not be, required to give any notice to or to obtain any consent, authorization, registration, qualification, designation, declaration, filing, approval or waiver from any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the consummation or performance of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

Section 4.04. No Subsidiaries. Other than Equity Interests in other Companies, none of the Companies has, or has ever had, any direct or indirect Subsidiaries or owns or holds, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities in any Person.

Section 4.05. Financial Statements.

(a) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.05(a) of Estis Holdings’ Disclosure Schedules are true, correct and complete copies of the following (collectively, the “Estis Financial Statements”): (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Estis Compression as of December 31, 2023 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Estis Compression for the year then ended, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Estis Compression as of March 31, 2024 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Estis Compression for the three (3)-month period then ended. The Estis Financial Statements (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except to the extent disclosed therein; (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results

 

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of operations, of the Estis Companies (other than with respect to Estis Intermediate Holdings which is a newly formed Delaware holding company) as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby, subject, however, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal and recurring, non-material year-end audit adjustments and accruals (which adjustments and accruals are not material in the aggregate) and the absence of footnote disclosures required by GAAP; and (iii) are correct and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with the books and records of the Estis Companies. The Liabilities, assets and properties of Estis Compression represent all of the Liabilities assets and properties of Estis Intermediate Holdings.

(b) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.05(b) of the Flowco Disclosure Schedules are true, correct and complete copies of the following (collectively, the “Flowco Financial Statements”): (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Flowco Production Solutions as of December 31, 2023 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Flowco Production Solutions for the year then ended, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Flowco Production Solutions as of the Balance Sheet Date and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Flowco Production Solutions for the three (3)-month period then ended. The Flowco Financial Statements (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except to the extent disclosed therein; (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations, of the Flowco Companies (other than with respect to Flowco Productions which is a newly formed Delaware holding company) as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby, subject, however, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal and recurring, non-material year-end audit adjustments and accruals (which adjustments and accruals are not material in the aggregate) and the absence of footnote disclosures required by GAAP; and (iii) are correct and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with the books and records of the Flowco Companies. The Liabilities, assets and properties of Flowco Production Solutions represent all of the Liabilities, assets and properties of Flowco Productions.

(c) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.05(c) of the Flogistix Disclosure Schedules are true, correct and complete copies of the following (collectively, the “Flogistix Financial Statements”): (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Flogistix Holdings as of December 31, 2023 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Flogistix Holdings for the year then ended, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Flogistix Holdings as of the Balance Sheet Date and the related unaudited consolidated statement of operations, member’s equity and cash flows of Flogistix Holdings for the three (3)-month period then ended. The Flogistix Financial Statements (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except to the extent disclosed therein; (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations, of the Flogistix Companies (other than with respect to Flogistix Intermediate Holdings which is a newly formed Delaware holding company) as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby, subject, however, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal and recurring, non-material year-end audit adjustments and accruals (which adjustments and accruals are not material in the aggregate) and the absence of footnote disclosures required by GAAP; and (iii) are correct and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with the books and records of the Flogistix Companies. The Liabilities, assets and properties of Flogistix Holdings represent all of the Liabilities, assets and properties of Flogistix Intermediate Holdings.

 

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(d) None of the Companies has entered into any transaction involving the use of special purpose entities for any off-balance sheet activity other than as specifically described in the Financial Statements. The Companies maintain a system of internal controls and procedures over financial reporting effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting (i) that transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Companies, and (iii) regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of the Companies that could have a material effect on the Financial Statements. None of the Companies nor any of their respective Representatives has, within the last three (3) years, identified or been made aware of (A) any illegal act, fraud or corporate misappropriation, whether or not material, that involves any employee or member of management of any Company, (B) any material weakness or significant deficiency in the design or operating of internal controls and procedures over financial reporting of the Company, or (C) any allegation or Action regarding any of the foregoing.

Section 4.06. Absence of Certain Changes and Events. Since December 31, 2023, the Companies have operated their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business in all material respects and no Material Adverse Effect has occurred. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, since December 31, 2023, none of the Companies has:

(a) acquired (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of Equity Interests), sold, leased, licensed, transferred, mortgaged, assigned or otherwise disposed of any assets, tangible or intangible, or properties, other than the acquisition of equipment, inventory and supplies, and the disposition of inventory and non-material obsolete assets, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(b) incurred, assumed, guaranteed or discharged any Liability, including Indebtedness, except under the applicable Credit Agreement in the ordinary course of business;

(c) committed to make or incurred any capital expenditures (or series of related capital expenditures) which exceed the capital expenditures contemplated in the applicable 2024 Budget by more than $500,000 in the aggregate with respect to the Flowco Companies or $1,000,000 in the aggregate with respect to the Estis Companies or the Flogistix Companies, or except as otherwise contemplated in the applicable 2024 Budget, entered into any lease of capital equipment or property under which the annual lease charges exceed $200,000;

(d) other than due to ordinary wear and tear or obsolescence, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, suffered any damages to or destruction of any tangible assets (whether or not covered by insurance) owned by any Company, in any case (or in the aggregate), in excess of $500,000;

(e) allowed the creation of any Encumbrances on any of the assets, properties or Equity Securities of such Company, other than in the ordinary course of business;

(f) declared, set aside or paid any dividend or other distributions (whether in cash, Equity Securities or property) with respect to any of its Equity Interests or issued, sold or otherwise permitted to become outstanding any Equity Securities or split, combined, reclassified, repurchased or redeemed any of its Equity Securities;

 

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(g) made any material change in accounting methods, principles or practices, unless required by applicable Law, or made any material reevaluation of any assets for financial statement purposes (including any material write down of the value of any material property, investment or assets);

(h) made any capital investment in, or loan to, any other Person;

(i) entered into, executed, terminated (other than terminations based on the expiration without any affirmative action by any of the Companies of their respective Affiliates), novated, materially amended or extended any Business Contract, other than in the ordinary course of business;

(j) other than as required by applicable Law and other than increases in annual base salary or hourly wage rate, as applicable, in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice, made any material change in the rate of (or accelerated the time of payment, vesting, or funding of) compensation, commission, bonus or other direct or indirect remuneration payable, or agreed to pay or provide, conditionally or otherwise, any new or additional bonus, incentive, retention or other compensation, retirement, welfare, fringe or severance benefit or vacation pay, to or in respect of any current or former employee or other individual service provider of any of the Companies, with respect to any employee whose annualized base salary or annualized hourly wages, as applicable, was equal to or greater than $200,000 (as of immediately following such increase);

(k) other than as required by applicable Law, amended, modified, terminated or otherwise changed any of the Benefit Plans or entered into or adopted or otherwise put into effect any new Benefit Plan, other than administerial amendments, modifications or changes in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice;

(l) established or became obligated under any collective bargaining agreement, collective agreement, works council agreement or other Contract with a labor union, trade union, works council or similar representative of employees;

(m) hired any new employee or engaged any new independent contractor, other than (i) any employee whose annualized base salary or annualized hourly wages, as applicable, is equal to or less than $200,000 or (ii) to replace an employee whose employment ended, on terms similar to those applicable to such Person immediately before the end of such employment;

(n) transferred out of the Companies, or terminated the employment of, any employee whose annualized base salary or annualized hourly wages, as applicable, exceeded $200,000, other than any termination for cause;

(o) materially modified or changed its business organization or materially and adversely modified or changed its relationship with its suppliers, customers and others having business relations with such Company;

 

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(p) changed any working capital practice, including by accelerating the collection of Receivables, delaying the payment of accounts payable, or changing cash balances of a Company, in any case, in deviation from the normal collection, payment and cash management policies of such Company in the ordinary course of business;

(q) sold, assigned, transferred or disposed of any inventory outside of the ordinary course of business;

(r) instituted, settled or agreed to settle any litigation relating to a Company or its assets or properties of a Company;

(s) made any change in Tax structure or characterization;

(t) amended any material Tax Return or settled or compromised any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax Liability or entered into any agreement or preliminary settlement concerning material Taxes;

(u) made any material Tax election except elections consistent with past practices;

(v) filed any waiver extending the statutory period for assessment or reassessment of material Taxes or any other waiver of restrictions on assessment or collection of any material Taxes; or

(w) authorized, agreed or otherwise committed to do any of the foregoing.

Section 4.07. Real Property.

(a) Schedule 4.07(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules contains a true, correct and complete list of all of the real property and material interests in real property owned in fee simple by the Companies (together with all buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements situated thereon, and appurtenances thereto, the “Owned Real Property”).

(b) Schedule 4.07(b) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all real property in which any Company currently holds a leasehold interest with a term of twelve (12) months or more remaining on the lease term (such real property, together with all buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements situated thereon, and appurtenances thereto, the “Leased Real Property” and together with the Owned Real Property, the “Real Property”), along with a description of each lease, license or other agreement or document constituting or evidencing the foregoing leasehold interest (collectively, the “Real Property Leases”). True, correct and complete copies of each of the Real Property Leases have been delivered or made available to each of the Parties. The address of each Leased Real Property is set forth on Schedule 4.07(b) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules and there is no other real property leased by the Companies other than the Leased Real Property. Each Real Property Lease is a valid and binding obligation of the Lessee, and to the Knowledge of such Contributor, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, and the Lessee enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession thereunder. None of the Companies has subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property or any portion thereof, and no Lessee has collaterally assigned or granted any other security interest in any of the Real

 

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Property Leases, the Leased Real Property or any interest therein. No Lessee is, and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, no other party is, in default under any Real Property Lease, and no state of fact or condition exists that, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute default under any Real Property Lease. All required deposits and rental amounts due to date pursuant to each Real Property Lease have been paid in full. No Lessee has received written notice of an actual or alleged default pursuant to any of the Real Property Leases, and there are no material outstanding Actions to which any Lessee is a party or subject to in respect of any of the Leased Real Property. 

(c) No outstanding obligations of any Lessee exist with respect to any leases and subleases terminated and properties vacated by any Lessee within the last eighteen (18) months. No construction work has been performed within the last twelve (12) months, is currently being performed, or is planned for calendar year 2024 or 2025 at any of the Leased Real Properties that is expected to result in liability to the Companies or any Lessee in excess of $100,000 in any such calendar year. All leasehold interests on the Leased Real Property are available for immediate use in the conduct of the Companies’ business as currently conducted.

(d) Each Company, as applicable, has (i) good and valid, fee simple title to the Owned Real Property, and (ii) a good and valid leasehold interest in each Leased Real Property, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances. The Real Property constitutes all of the real property used or held for use by the Companies and required to conduct their business in the ordinary course of business and further constitutes all real property interests necessary to conduct the business of the Companies as currently conducted. Other than the Real Property, none of the Companies own, lease, use or otherwise occupy, or have the right, whether by Contract or otherwise, to own, lease, use or otherwise occupy, any real property or real property interests. To the Knowledge of such Contributor, there are no facts or circumstances that would prevent the Real Property from being occupied or otherwise used after the Closing in the same manner as prior to the Closing.

(e) With respect to the Real Property:

(i) all facilities on the Owned Real Property have received all Permits required in connection with the ownership, occupancy, use or operation in the ordinary course of the Companies’ business, and all such Permits have been paid for and are in full force and effect in accordance with their terms;

(ii) the use of each parcel or tract of the Real Property for the various purposes for which it is presently being used does not violate in any material respect any Law, Encumbrance, Permit, Governmental Order or Contract;

(iii) there are no outstanding options, rights of first offer, rights of first refusal or other Contracts to purchase the Owned Real Property, or any portion thereof, or interest therein;

(iv) there are no Persons (other than the Companies) physically occupying, in possession of, or that have use of the Real Property (other than guests, invitees, contractors, and other similarly situated third parties who enter upon the Real Property in the ordinary course of business);

 

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(v) no condemnation proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened with respect to any portion of the Real Property;

(vi) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, proposed changes to any zoning regulations affecting the Real Property; and

(vii) the improvements located on the Real Property (a) are free from material structural and mechanical defects and have been used by the Companies in the ordinary course of business and remain in suitable and adequate condition for such continued use for their business as currently conducted, (b) have been maintained in all material respects in accordance with normal industry practice and (c) are in good operating condition and repair (normal wear and tear excepted) and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put.

Section 4.08. Title to Property; Condition and Sufficiency of Assets. Each of the Companies has good, valid and indefeasible title to, or a valid leasehold or other legal right to use, as applicable, all of the material assets and properties owned or leased by such Company, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances (except for Permitted Encumbrances), and is entitled to possess and dispose of the same. Set forth on Schedule 4.08 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules is a true, correct and complete list of each Company’s Rolling Stock. All tangible personal properties and assets (a) have been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, (b) are in good operating condition and repair (normal wear and tear excepted) and (c) are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such properties and assets is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance that is not material in nature or cost, except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole. Each Company is in compliance in all material respects with its maintenance obligations under any lease of equipment or other tangible personal property. To the Knowledge of such Contributor, all third parties in possession of tangible personal property owned by the Companies have stored, used, maintained and insured such assets in accordance with good industry practice and the Contracts to which such assets pertain. The assets held by the Companies or which are leased to counterparties under Contracts are sufficient for the continued conduct of the Companies’ business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted on the Closing Date and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the Companies’ business as currently conducted.

Section 4.09. Accounts Receivable; Accounts Payable.

(a) Set forth on Schedule 4.09 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules is a true, correct and complete report of the Aged Receivables of the Companies as of the date hereof. Each of the Receivables arose in the ordinary course of business of the Companies, is reflected in accordance with GAAP on the accounting records of the Companies, is current (other than the Aged Receivables) and represents the genuine, bona fide, valid and legally enforceable obligation of the account debtor (subject only to the Enforceability Exceptions) and no Action or right of set-off has been agreed to or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, asserted by an obligor relating to

 

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the amount or validity of any such Receivable (other than discounts for prompt payment shown on the invoice or permitted pursuant to the applicable Contract). The reserves for bad debts shown on the Financial Statements or, with respect to Receivables arising after the Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Companies have been determined in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end adjustments, and the Companies have not written off any Receivables as uncollectible in excess of such reserves for uncollected Receivables reflected on the Financial Statements or on the accounting records of the Companies. The Companies have good and valid title to the Receivables (other than the Aged Receivables) free and clear of all Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances. No agreement for deduction, free services or goods, discounts or other deferred price or quantity adjustment has been made with respect to the Receivables. Since the Balance Sheet Date, no goods or services, the sale or provision of which gave rise to any Receivables, have been returned to any Company or rejected by any account debtor or lost or damaged prior to receipt thereby. Since the Balance Sheet Date, each of the Companies has collected the accounts receivable of its business in the ordinary course of business and has not accelerated or offered any discounts with respect to any such collections.

(b) The accounts payable of the Companies reflected in the Financial Statements, or with respect to accounts payable arising after the Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Companies, arose in bona fide arm’s-length transactions in the ordinary course of business. Since the Balance Sheet Date, each of the Companies has paid accounts payable of its business in the ordinary course of business and has not delayed any such payments.

Section 4.10. No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as specifically accrued for or reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements, the Companies do not have any Liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of the type required to be reflected on financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP on a consistent basis (and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, there is no basis for any present or future Action against any Company giving rise to any Liability), other than (a) Liabilities which have arisen after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business (none of which results from, arises out of, relates to, is in the nature of, or was caused by any breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, or violation of Laws), or (b) Liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole.

Section 4.11. Taxes.

(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Companies have been duly and timely filed (taking into account any applicable extensions of time to file). Each such Tax Return is true, correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes due and payable by the Companies (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid in all material respects. All Tax withholding and deposit requirements imposed in connection with any amounts owing from the Companies have been satisfied in all material respects. There are no Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any of the Companies’ assets or properties that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.

(b) There are no Actions pending, in progress or that have been threatened in writing against the Companies for any material unpaid Taxes, and no material assessment, deficiency or adjustment has been asserted, proposed or threatened in writing with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Companies which has not been satisfied by payment, settled or withdrawn. No claim has ever been made in writing by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Companies do not file Tax Returns that any Company is or may be subject to material Tax in that jurisdiction.

 

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(c) There is not in force any waiver or agreement for any extension of time for the assessment or payment of any material Tax of, or with respect to, the Companies.

(d) None of the Companies is a party to or bound by any Tax allocation, sharing or indemnity agreements or arrangements (excluding any commercial agreements or contracts containing customary provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business that are not primarily related to Taxes).

(e) None of the Companies will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, any taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of U.S. state or local or non-U.S. Law) by reason of a change in method of accounting occurring on or prior to the Closing Date for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date, or (iv) cash method of accounting or long-term contract method of accounting utilized prior to the Closing Date.

(f) None of the Companies is, nor has any Company ever been, a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group with respect to any Taxes, and none of the Companies has any material potential Liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Companies) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise, in each case, other than (i) any affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group all of the members of which are Companies and/or an applicable Contributor, and (ii) with respect to any commercial agreements or contracts containing customary provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business that are not primarily related to Taxes.

(g) All of the material assets of the Companies, to the extent required to be included on any applicable property tax roll under any applicable Law, have been properly listed and described on the property Tax rolls for all periods prior to and including the Closing Date.

(h) Immediately after the Closing, none of the assets of the Companies will be subject to the anti-churning rules of Section 197(f)(9) of the Code.

(i) The entity classifications of the Companies for U.S. federal (and applicable state and local) income Tax purposes since the date of each respective Company’s formation are set forth in Schedule 4.11(i) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules, and no election has been or will be filed to change any such classification.

 

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Section 4.12. Employee Benefit Plans.

(a) Set forth on Schedule 4.12(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules is a true, correct and complete list of each material Benefit Plan.

(b) With respect to each material Benefit Plan, to the extent applicable, the following have been delivered or otherwise provided to each of the other Parties: (i) a copy of the annual report (if required under ERISA) with respect to each such Benefit Plan for the last year (including all schedules and attachments); (ii) a copy of the summary plan description, together with each summary of material modification required under ERISA with respect to such Benefit Plan; (iii) a true, correct and complete copy of each such written Benefit Plan or a written summary of the material terms of each such unwritten Benefit Plan; (iv) all trust agreements, insurance Contracts, and similar instruments with respect to each such funded or insured Benefit Plan; (v) copies of all compliance, nondiscrimination and top-heavy testing reports for the last plan year with respect to each such Benefit Plan that is subject to compliance, nondiscrimination and/or top-heavy testing (if applicable); (vi) the most recently prepared actuarial or valuation reports relating to each such Benefit Plan; and (vii) the most recent determination letter (or, if applicable, advisory or opinion letter) from the Internal Revenue Service.

(c) Each Benefit Plan (i) is in compliance in form and substance with all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, in all material respects, and if intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, is so qualified, and (ii) has been administered, maintained and operated (including reporting requirements) in all material respects in accordance with its governing instruments and all applicable Laws.

(d) All material contributions, premiums and other payments required to be made by the Companies to the Benefit Plans have been timely made, and there are no material contributions or benefit obligations that have not been properly accounted for (to the extent required) in the Financial Statements.

(e) (i) There have been no non-exempt prohibited transactions (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) or breaches of fiduciary duty (including violations under Part 4 of Title I of ERISA), in each case, with respect to any Benefit Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in any material Liability to any of the Companies, and (ii) no Action (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course) is pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened with respect to any Benefit Plan or the assets of any Benefit Plan.

(f) Neither the Companies nor any of their ERISA Affiliates sponsors, maintains, contributes to, or is required to contribute to, or has any obligation to, or Liability relating to, (i) a plan covered by Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), or (iii) a multiple employer welfare arrangement (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA). None of the Companies has any material Liability (whether or not assessed) under Sections 4980B, 4980D, 4980H, 6721 or 6722 of the Code.

 

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(g) No Benefit Plan provides or obligates the Companies to provide, and the Companies have no Liability under or with respect to any Benefit Plan with respect to, post-termination of employment or services health, life or other welfare benefits for former employees, directors, officers or other individual service providers of the Companies (or any spouse or former spouse or other dependent thereof), other than benefits required by COBRA or other similar state Law or other than for which the former employee, director, officer or other individual service provider (or applicable dependent) is solely responsible for the premiums to continue such coverage.

(h) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in combination with another event) will or would reasonably be likely to: (i) entitle any current or former employee, director or other individual service provider of the Companies to any payment or benefit (or any increase in the amount thereof) or any forgiveness of indebtedness; (ii) accelerate the time of payment, vesting or funding of, or cause or require the funding of, compensation or benefits for the benefit of any current or former employee, director or other individual service provider of any of the Companies or under any Benefit Plan; or (iii) result in the payment of any amount that would, individually or in combination with any other such payment, not be deductible by reason of Section 280G of the Code. No Benefit Plan provides for the gross-up, reimbursement or indemnification of any Taxes imposed by Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.

(i) Each Benefit Plan, if any, that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code has been documented and operated in all material respects in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

(j) Each Benefit Plan can be amended or terminated unilaterally at any time by the applicable Company, as applicable, subject to notice requirements as mandated by Law or the terms of the applicable plan, without any material Liability other than for benefits accrued or payable under the terms of such plan as of the date of such amendment or termination, or as required by applicable Laws, and reasonable administrative and termination expenses.

(k) No Benefit Plan is maintained under the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, or covers any employee or other individual service provider of any of the Companies who performs or performed services with respect to the Companies primarily outside the United States.

Section 4.13. Compliance with Laws. Each Company is, and has been at all times during the past three (3) years, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws that are applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its business or the ownership or use of any of its assets. During the past three (3) years, no Company has received any written notice of the violation of any applicable Laws from any Governmental Authority or any notice of any Actions against it alleging any material failure to comply with any applicable Laws. This Section 4.13 shall not apply to Tax matters, which are exclusively addressed in Section 4.11 and Section 4.12.

 

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Section 4.14. Legal Proceedings; Governmental Orders. There is no, and within the last three (3) years there has been no, Action pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened against (i) any of the Companies, (ii) any of their respective Representatives (in their capacity as such), or (iii) any of the assets or properties of the Companies, and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any Actions against, with respect to or in connection with, any of the Companies. There is no Governmental Order to which any Company, or any of the assets or properties owned or used by any Company, is subject, and which has not been satisfied in full.

Section 4.15. Material Contracts. Schedule 4.15 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules contains a true, correct and complete list of each Business Contract (including any amendments thereto) to which any Company is a party or by which its assets or properties are bound (the “Company Contracts”). Each Company Contract is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the applicable Company that is party thereto and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, each counterparty thereunder, enforceable in accordance with its terms. No event has occurred that constitutes, or that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute, a material default (including, without limitation, any “Default” or “Event of Default” under the applicable Credit Agreement) by any Company or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, any other party to any Company Contract and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, there is no fact, event, condition or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to result in a material default under any Company Contract by any Company or any other party to such Company Contract. During the past twelve (12) months, no Company has received written notice of a breach of any Company Contract by any counterparty thereto. There are no renegotiations of any material amounts paid or payable to any Company under current or completed Company Contracts with any Person having the contractual or statutory right to demand or require such renegotiation. True, correct and complete copies of each Company Contract have been provided to each of the other Parties.

Section 4.16. Insurance.

(a) Each Company has in full force and effect insurance policies in such amounts, with such deductibles, on such terms and covering such risks as are sufficient for compliance with applicable Laws and the Company Contracts in all material respects, and each Company is in compliance with the terms thereof in all material respects. Schedule 4.16(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth each of the insurance policies providing coverage to or for the benefit of or with respect to the Companies, indicating, in each case the type of coverage, name of the insured, the insurer, the expiration of each policy and the amount of coverage (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”).

(b) No claim is outstanding under any of the Insurance Policies, no Company has received any written notice of pending cancellation, premium increase with respect to, or material alteration of coverage under any of the Insurance Policies, and no carrier of any Insurance Policy has asserted any denial of coverage of any claim. None of the Companies has been refused any insurance with respect to its operations or assets, nor has its coverage been limited, by any insurance carrier to which it has applied for any such insurance or with which it has carried insurance during the last two (2) years. All premiums due with respect to the Insurance Policies have been paid. No Insurance Policy held by or applicable to the Companies has been canceled by the applicable insurance carrier within the last two (2) years and none of the Companies is in default under, or has otherwise failed to comply with, in any material respect, any provision contained in any of the Insurance Policies. Such Company has given timely notice to the insurer of any material claims that may be insured thereby under any Insurance Policy.

 

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Section 4.17. Environmental Matters.

(a) Each Company is, and has been at all times during the past five (5) years, in compliance in all material respects with, all Environmental Laws in connection with the conduct of its business and the ownership, use, maintenance or operation of any of its Business Facilities or former facilities, locations or properties, (which compliance includes, but is not limited to, the possession by the Companies of all material Environmental Permits, and compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions thereof).

(b) (i) No Company has any pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened Liability under any Environmental Law or with respect to Hazardous Substances, nor is any Company responsible for any such pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened Liability of any other Person, whether arising under contract, by operation of law or otherwise, and (ii) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened Actions arising under any Environmental Law with respect to any Company’s business or Business Facilities or its former facilities, locations or properties.

(c) The Companies have not caused, and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, there has not been, any Release of Hazardous Substances at, on, under, from or about any Company’s Business Facilities or its former facilities, locations or properties that would reasonably be expected to result in a material Liability to the Companies, taken as a whole.

(d) To the Knowledge of such Contributor, the Companies have not arranged, by Contract or otherwise, for the transportation, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substances at a location for which the Companies are or would be liable for any material remediation or material costs of remediation of such location pursuant to Environmental Laws.

(e) Such Contributor has provided the other Parties with true, correct and complete copies of all material third-party environmental reports on behalf of the Companies, studies, audits, assessments, inspections, investigations, material correspondence (internal and external), analytical data, all material Environmental Permits, and other material documents and records produced, to the extent that such items relate to the prior three (3) year period and are in the possession or control of such Contributor or the Companies, relating to the environmental condition of any Company’s Business Facilities, compliance (or noncompliance) with Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or any environmental Action.

(f) None of the Companies is required by any Environmental Law by virtue of the transactions set forth herein and contemplated hereby, or as a condition to the effectiveness of any transactions contemplated hereby, (i) to perform a site assessment for Hazardous Substances, (ii) to remove or remediate Hazardous Substances, (iii) to give notice to or receive approval from any Governmental Authority or other Person, or to record any disclosure document or statement pertaining to environmental matters or (iv) to alter, transfer, modify, re-obtain, renew, change or update any Environmental Permit.

 

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Section 4.18. Employees; Labor Relations.

(a) Set forth on Schedule 4.18(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules is a true, correct and complete list of (i) each individual employed by the Companies as of the date hereof, whether on a full- or part-time basis (each, a “Business Employee”), along with, for each such Business Employee, his or her job title, annual salary or hourly rate of pay, as applicable, eligibility to receive other compensation (including bonuses, incentives and commissions), status as full-time or part-time, exempt/non-exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act or other applicable Law, employing entity, primary location of employment, and leave status (including anticipated date of return); and (ii) each natural person engaged to provide material services, as an independent contractor (either directly or through an entity that he or she owns), to the business of any Company, along with, for each such Person, a reasonable description of the services provided to the Companies, the engaging entity, location of services, and the agreed upon fee or rate of compensation for such services.

(b) The Companies are not, and within the last three (3) years have not been, a party to, bound by or otherwise subject to any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor union, trade union, works council, labor organization, or similar representative of employees. To the Knowledge of such Contributor, no labor union, trade union, works council, labor organization, or similar representative of employees is seeking, or, within the last three (3) years, has sought to organize or represent any Business Employees or made a demand or petition for recognition or certification. There is no, and within the last three (3) years has not been, any pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened strike, lockout, boycott, picketing, slowdown, labor grievance, unfair labor practice charge, work stoppage or other form of labor disruption involving or affecting the business of any Company or any Business Employees.

(c) The Companies are not delinquent in any payments to the Business Employees, former employees of any Company, or any other natural person engaged to provide services, as an independent contractor (either directly or through an entity that he or she owns), to the business of any Company for any wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses or other direct compensation for any service performed for any Company or in support of the business of any Company, or amounts required to be reimbursed to such Business Employees or other Persons.

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(d), (i) there are no severance or other payments which will become due to any Business Employees, consultants or independent contractors as a result of the cessation of their employment or engagement, as applicable, with the Companies for any reason, and the Companies do not have any policy, practice, plan or program of paying severance pay or any form of severance compensation in connection with the cessation of any employment relationship; and (ii) there are no retention or transaction bonuses which will become payable to any Business Employee as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

(e) Each Company is, and has been at all times during the past three (3) years, in material compliance with all applicable Laws relating to labor and employment. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened Actions with respect to the Business Employees, former employees of such Company, or any other Person who provides or has provided services to such Company alleging violations of any Law relating to labor and

 

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employment. The Companies have promptly investigated, and, if warranted, taken appropriate corrective action with respect to, all allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation in connection therewith, of which a Company was made aware through its reporting procedures during the last three (3) years. None of the Companies is subject to any settlement or consent decree which has not been satisfied in full with any Business Employee, former employee of such Company, or any other Person who provides or has provided services to such Company, or any Governmental Authority relating to claims that any such Company failed to comply with any such Law relating to labor and employment. No Governmental Order has been issued with respect to actual or alleged violations of any Law related to labor and employment practices by any Company. None of the Companies is subject to any employment-related obligations based on status as a federal, state, or local government contractor or subcontractor.

(f) During the last three (3) years, none of the Companies has engaged in any employment action requiring the service of notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar applicable local or state Laws.

Section 4.19. Licenses and Permits. Each of the Companies has all material Permits, including Environmental Permits, that are required in the conduct or operation of its business as currently conducted and operated or the continued ownership or use of such Company’s assets or properties. Each such material Permit is in full force and effect and none of the Companies is in default under (and no event has occurred that constitutes, or that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute, a default by any Company under) any such material Permit. No investigation or review by any Governmental Authority is pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened with respect to such material Permits that seeks or likely could result in the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification thereof. All fees and other payments due and owing in connection with such material Permits have been paid in full and in a timely manner so as to prevent any lapse or revocation thereof. A true, correct and complete list of each material Permit that has been issued to the Companies is set forth on Schedule 4.19 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules and true, correct and complete copies of each such material Permit, as amended to date, have been provided to each of the other Parties.

Section 4.20. Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission from the Companies in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of such Contributor, the Companies or their respective Affiliates.

Section 4.21. Intellectual Property.

(a) Schedule 4.21(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list and description of all Intellectual Property owned by the Companies that is (i) material to the Companies’ respective businesses or (ii) registered or the subject of an application for registration, including patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, trademark applications, registered copyrights, copyright applications, social media accounts and handles, and domains (the “Registered IP”).

 

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(b) Schedule 4.21(b) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all licenses granted by or to the Companies (excluding off-the-shelf, shrinkwrap and similar software license agreements and nonexclusive licenses granted to or from customers and vendors in the ordinary course of business). Each Company owns or has a valid license to use all Intellectual Property that are necessary for the operations of such Company’s business as currently conducted and as conducted during the past twelve (12) months.

(c) The Companies have sole and full right, title and interest to the Intellectual Property owned by the Companies, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Permitted Encumbrances.

(d) None of the Companies has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise violated the rights of any other Person in any Intellectual Property. None of the Companies has received any written notice that such Company or its business is infringing, diluting, misappropriating or otherwise violating the rights of any other Person in any Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of such Contributor, no Person is infringing, diluting, misappropriating or otherwise violating any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Companies. All Registered IP is valid, subsisting and in full force and effect, and all necessary maintenance, renewal, and other relevant filing fees due through the date of this Agreement have been timely paid and all necessary documents and certificates in connection with such Registered IP have been timely filed with the relevant authorities in the United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purpose of prosecuting and maintaining such Registered IP in full force and effect. There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened (i) challenging the validity, enforceability, ownership or scope of any Registered IP, other than pending prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and similar foreign offices, or (ii) asserting that inventorship is not correctly identified for such Patents within the Registered IP, and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, there are no facts or circumstances warranting any such Action.

(e) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause the forfeiture, loss, diminishment, impairment or termination of, nor give rise to a right of forfeiture, loss, diminishment, impairment or termination of, the Companies’ ownership of any Intellectual Property or the Companies’ right to use the Intellectual Property, and all Intellectual Property currently owned or used by the Companies will be owned or available for use by the Companies immediately after the Closing on terms and conditions identical to those under which the Companies owned or used such Intellectual Property immediately prior to the Closing.

(f) Each of the Companies has taken commercially reasonable measures to protect its Intellectual Property, including the confidentiality of trade secrets and confidential information used in the Companies’ business.

(g) All Persons who have contributed, developed or conceived any material Intellectual Property owned by the Companies have done so pursuant to a written agreement that protects the confidential information of the Companies and grants a Company exclusive ownership of the Person’s contribution, development or conception.

 

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(h) Each of the Companies owns, leases or licenses all computer systems that are necessary for the operations of the Companies’ business as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. Each of the Companies has taken commercially reasonable steps to provide for the back-up and recovery of data and information, has commercially reasonable disaster recovery plans, procedures and facilities, and, as applicable, has taken commercially reasonable steps to implement such plans and procedures. Such computer systems are managed by a reputable third-party systems and information technology management company that has implemented commercially reasonable measures to ensure that the computer systems do not contain any “back door,” “time bomb,” “Trojan horse,” “worm,” “drop dead device,” “virus” (as these terms are commonly used in the computer software industry), or other software routines or hardware components intentionally designed to permit (i) unauthorized access to a computer or network, (ii) unauthorized disablement or erasure of software, hardware or data, or (iii) any other similar type of unauthorized activities. Within the last three (3) years, there has been no failure, material substandard performance, or breach of any computer systems of the Companies or their contractors that has caused any material disruption to the Companies’ business or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, resulted in any unauthorized disclosure of or access to any data owned, collected or controlled by the Companies. Each of the Companies has taken reasonable technical, administrative, and physical measures to protect the integrity and security of the computer systems and the data stored thereon from unauthorized use, access, or modification by third parties.

(i) Each of the Companies has collected, stored and processed personal information from distributors, resellers, partners or customers in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy Law. None of the Companies transmits any personal or non-public data of its distributors, resellers, partners or end users across country borders and all such data is processed by the Companies exclusively in data centers located in the same country as the data owner. The Companies do not provide and have not been legally required to provide any notice to data owners in connection with any unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of any personal or non-public data of its distributors, resellers, partners or end users.

(j) The software used by the Companies in their products do not contain, and is not distributed with, “open source” or other software that is governed by a license that requires the disclosure or licensing of any Intellectual Property. Each of the Companies is in compliance in all material respects with all agreements pursuant to which the Companies have obtained the right to use any third-party software, including “open source” software.

Section 4.22. Bank Accounts. Schedule 4.22 of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all bank accounts and safe deposit boxes of the Companies and all Persons who are signatories thereunder or who have access thereto.

Section 4.23. Customers and Suppliers.

(a) Schedule 4.23(a) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth the ten (10) largest customers of the Companies by revenue (whether for goods or services provided) on a consolidated basis for each of the two (2) fiscal years preceding the Closing Date (the “Material Customers”) and the amount for which each such Material Customer was invoiced during such period. None of the Material Customers have canceled or otherwise terminated, or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened to cancel or otherwise terminate, its relationship with the Companies or has decreased, limited or otherwise modified, or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened to decrease, limit or modify, the volume or price such Material Customer will pay for products, goods or services of the Companies from the levels achieved in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, no facts, events, conditions or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Customers doing so).

 

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(b) Schedule 4.23(b) of such Contributor’s Disclosure Schedules sets forth the ten (10) largest suppliers of the Companies, based on aggregate expenditures for goods or services provided by such suppliers (excluding utilities), on a consolidated basis for each of the two (2) fiscal years preceding the Closing Date (the “Material Suppliers”) and the amount for which the Companies were invoiced during such period. None of the Material Suppliers have canceled or otherwise terminated, or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened to cancel or otherwise terminate, its relationship with the Companies or has decreased, limited or otherwise modified, or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened to decrease, limit or otherwise modify, the services, supplies or materials such Material Supplier provides to the Companies from the levels achieved during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (and, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, no facts, events, conditions or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Supplier doing so). Since the Balance Sheet Date, none of the Companies has experienced any shortages of supplies or other disruptions to its supply chains that has materially impacted the business of the Companies, taken as a whole, and the Companies have not received any written notice of, nor to the Knowledge of such Contributor is there, any potential shortage of supplies or other disruptions to their supply chains that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Companies, taken as a whole.

Section 4.24. Related Party Transactions. None of Contributor or any of its Related Parties has had a direct or indirect material interest during the past three (3) years in any Person that (i) furnishes or sells services or products that are furnished or sold by the Companies, or has otherwise provided to or received services from any Company (other than employment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business); (ii) purchases from or sells or furnishes to the Companies any material goods or services; or (iii) is a competitor of the Companies. None of Contributor or any of its Related Parties (other than the Companies) (i) has engaged in any business dealings or transactions with the Companies, except business dealings or transactions inherent in the capacities of shareholder, member, partner, director, manager, officer or employee, as applicable; (ii) directly or indirectly owned, or otherwise had any right, title or interest in, to or under, any material property or right, tangible or intangible, that has been or is currently contemplated to be used by any Company; or (iii) has loaned money to, or borrowed money from, any Company or otherwise been indebted to any Company.

Section 4.25. Payments to Officials. During the past five (5) years, none of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in the FCPA) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives: (a) has taken any action in violation of any Improper Payment Laws or (b) has offered, paid, given, promised to pay or give, or authorized the payment or gift of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any public official, in each case, for purposes of (i) influencing any act or decision of any public official in such official’s official capacity; (ii) inducing such public official to do or omit to do any act in violation of such official’s lawful duty; (iii) securing any improper advantage; or (iv) inducing such public official to use such official’s influence with a Governmental Authority, or commercial enterprise owned or controlled by any Governmental Authority (including state-owned or controlled facilities), in order to assist any Company in obtaining or retaining business that would cause such Company to be in violation

 

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of Improper Payment Laws. During the past five (5) years, none of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in the FCPA) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the past five (5) years, none of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in the FCPA) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or unlawful payment of funds to any customer or prospective customer in an effort to solicit or obtain business from any such customer or prospective customer. None of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in the FCPA) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives have received any written notice or communication from any Person that alleges, nor been involved in any internal investigation involving any allegations relating to, potential violation of any Improper Payment Laws, and none of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in the FCPA) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives has received a written request for information from any Governmental Authority regarding Improper Payment Laws. Each Company has in place reasonably designed and implemented controls to ensure compliance with any applicable Improper Payment Laws.

Section 4.26. Export Controls and Economic Sanctions. None of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in or interpreted under applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives is, or within the past five (5) years has been, a Sanctioned Person. During the past five (5) years, none of the Companies or such Contributor (solely with respect to the operation of the Companies’ businesses or the ownership of the Companies) or any of the directors, officers, employees, or, to the knowledge (as defined in or interpreted under applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws) of such Contributor, agents of such Persons or other third persons representing the Companies has (a) directly or indirectly operated, conducted business, or participated in any transaction in or with any Sanctioned Country, or with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, in violation of any applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws or (b) that would otherwise constitute a violation of applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws. None of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in or interpreted under applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives has received any written notice or communication from any Person that alleges, nor been involved in any internal investigation involving any allegations relating to, potential violation of any Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws, and none of the Companies nor, to the knowledge (as defined in or interpreted under applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws) of such Contributor, any of their respective Representatives has received a written request for information from any Governmental Authority regarding Export Controls or Economic Sanctions Laws. Each Company has in place reasonably designed and implemented controls to ensure compliance with any applicable Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Laws.

Section 4.27. Inventory. All inventory of the Companies consists, in all material respects, of a quality and quantity usable and salable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, except for obsolete, damaged, defective or slow-moving items that have been written off or written down to fair market value or for which adequate reserves have been established on the Financial Statements consistent with past practices or, with respect to inventory acquired subsequent to the Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Companies. All

 

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such inventory is owned by the Companies free and clear of all Encumbrances (except for Permitted Encumbrances) and no inventory shown in the Financial Statements or, with respect to inventory acquired subsequent to the Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Companies, is held on a consignment basis. The quantities of inventory (whether raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods) are not excessive and consistent with past practices. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Companies have purchased and replaced inventory in the ordinary course of business.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTORS

Except as set forth in the corresponding sections or subsections of (a) the Estis Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Estis Holdings, (b) the Flowco Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Flowco Production Solutions or (c) the Flogistix Disclosure Schedules, in the case of Flogistix Holdings, each of Estis Holdings, solely with respect to Estis Holdings and the Estis Companies, Flowco Production Solutions, solely with respect to Flowco Production Solutions and the Flowco Companies, and Flogistix Holdings, solely with respect to Flogistix Holdings and the Flogistix Companies, hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties as follows:

Section 5.01. Organization and Good Standing. Such Contributor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 5.02. Ownership; Due Authorization and Authority.

(a) Such Contributor owns directly or indirectly one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Companies, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Corporate Encumbrances. Such Contributor has the sole voting power and power of disposition with respect to the Equity Interests of the Companies with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions with respect to such rights and powers (other than those set forth in the applicable Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents (as defined such Credit Agreement) delivered in connection therewith). At the Closing, such Contributor will transfer and deliver, or cause the transfer and delivery of, such Equity Interests to Newco, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Corporate Encumbrances.

(b) Such Contributor has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by such Contributor, the performance of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof by such Contributor and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by such Contributor have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite action on the part of such Contributor. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor is a party have been or will be duly executed and delivered by such Contributor. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which such Contributor is a party constitute the valid and binding obligations of such Contributor, enforceable against such Contributor in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto), subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

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Section 5.03. No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by hereby or thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or the lapse of time, or both):

(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Contributor;

(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any statute, regulation or Governmental Order to which such Contributor, or any of the Equity Securities to be contributed by such Contributor hereunder, is subject, except as would not, in any such event, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Contributor;

(c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any person or entity the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify (i) any material Contract to which such Contributor is a party, or (ii) any Contract under which any of the assets or properties owned or used by such Contributor, is subject except (with respect to clause (ii)) as would not, in any such event, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Contributor;

(d) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) upon or with respect to any of the Equity Securities or assets or properties to be contributed by such Contributor hereunder; or

(e) give any Person the right (pursuant to a preferential purchase right, right of first refusal or offer, buy-sell arrangement or other provision) to acquire all or any part of the Equity Securities to be contributed by such Contributor hereunder.

Such Contributor will not be required to give any notice to or to obtain any consent, authorization, registration, qualification, designation, declaration, filing, approval or waiver from any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the consummation or performance of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

Section 5.04. Legal Proceedings; Governmental Orders. There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of such Contributor, threatened against or affecting (i) such Contributor, (ii) any of its Representatives, or (iii) any of the Equity Securities to be contributed by such Contributor hereunder that would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede, or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or the performance by such Contributor of its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING NEWCO

Except as set forth in the corresponding sections or subsections of the Estis Disclosure Schedules, Estis Holdings hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties as follows:

Section 6.01. Organization; Good Standing. Newco is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. True, correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of Newco, as in effect on the date hereof, have been provided to the other Parties.

Section 6.02. Authority; Enforceability. Newco has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Newco, the performance of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof by Newco and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Newco have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite action on the part of Newco. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Newco is a party have been or will be duly executed and delivered by Newco. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Newco is a party constitute the valid and binding obligations of Newco, enforceable against Newco in accordance with the terms thereof (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto), subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

Section 6.03. Ownership; Due Authorization.

(a) Estis Holdings owns directly one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Newco, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Corporate Encumbrances. Estis Holdings has the sole voting power and power of disposition with respect to the Equity Interests of Newco with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions with respect to such rights and powers.

(b) All of the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of Newco have been duly authorized, validly issued in compliance with applicable Law, are fully paid and nonassessable. When issued to the Contributors at Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Series A Units will be duly authorized, validly issued in compliance with applicable Law, fully paid and nonassessable.

(c) There are no outstanding or authorized Equity Securities or other agreements or commitments to which Estis Holdings or Newco is a party or which is binding upon Estis Holdings or Newco providing for the issuance, disposition or acquisition of any of Newco’s Equity Securities. There are no outstanding or authorized profit participation rights, preemptive rights, approval rights, rights of first refusal, equity appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to Newco. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which Estis Holdings or Newco is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of any Equity Securities of Newco.

 

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Section 6.04. No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or the lapse of time, or both):

(a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Organizational Documents of Newco; or

(b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any statute, regulation or Governmental Order to which Newco is subject.

Section 6.05. No Operations. Newco was formed on June 3, 2024. Since its inception, Newco has not engaged in any activity, other than such actions taken in connection with its organization. Newco does not have any operations, assets or Liabilities.

ARTICLE VII

TAX MATTERS

Section 7.01. Tax Matters.

(a) Tax Indemnification.

(i) Subject to the other limitations in this Article VII, Estis Holdings shall indemnify each of the other Parties and hold each of them harmless from and against, any Loss attributable to (1) any and all Taxes imposed on Estis Holdings or any of the Estis Companies or for which Estis Holdings or any of the Estis Companies may otherwise be liable for any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period and for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date (determined in accordance with Section 7.01(b)), (2) all Taxes of any member (other than an Estis Company) of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of which any Estis Company (or any predecessor) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, and (3) any and all Taxes of any Person (other than any Estis Company) imposed on any Estis Company as a transferee or successor, by Contract or pursuant to any Law, which Taxes relate to an event, transaction or relationship occurring or existing before the Closing; provided that this Section 7.01(a)(i) shall not apply to any amounts actually taken into account in determining Working Capital with respect to the Estis Companies or the Estis Net Indebtedness Amount pursuant to Section 3.02.

(ii) Subject to the other limitations in this Article VII, Flowco Production Solutions shall indemnify each of the other Parties and hold each of them harmless from and against, any Loss attributable to (1) any and all Taxes imposed on Flowco Production Solutions or any of the Flowco Companies or for which Flowco Production Solutions or any of the Flowco Companies may otherwise be liable for any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period and for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date (determined in accordance with Section 7.01(b)), (2) all Taxes of any member (other than a Flowco Company) of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of which any Flowco Company (or any predecessor) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, and (3) any and all Taxes of any Person (other than any Flowco Company) imposed on any Flowco Company as a transferee or successor, by Contract or pursuant to any Law, which Taxes relate to an event, transaction or relationship occurring or existing before the Closing; provided that this Section 7.01(a)(ii) shall not apply to any amounts actually taken into account in determining Working Capital with respect to the Flowco Companies or the Flowco Net Indebtedness Amount pursuant to Section 3.02.

 

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(iii) Subject to the other limitations in this Article VII, Flogistix Holdings shall indemnify each of the other Parties and hold each of them harmless from and against, any Loss attributable to (1) any and all Taxes imposed on Flogistix Holdings or any of the Flogistix Companies or for which Flogistix Holdings or any of the Flogistix Companies may otherwise be liable for any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period and for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date (determined in accordance with Section 7.01(b)), (2) all Taxes of any member (other than a Flogistix Company) of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of which any Flogistix Company (or any predecessor) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, and (3) any and all Taxes of any Person (other than any Flogistix Company) imposed on any Flogistix Company as a transferee or successor, by Contract or pursuant to any Law, which Taxes relate to an event, transaction or relationship occurring or existing before the Closing; provided that this Section 7.01(a)(iii) shall not apply to any amounts actually taken into account in determining Working Capital with respect to the Flogistix Companies or the Flogistix Net Indebtedness Amount pursuant to Section 3.02.

(b) Straddle Period. In the case of any taxable period of any Company, as applicable, that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date (“Straddle Period”), the amount of any ad valorem or property Taxes for a Straddle Period relating to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire taxable period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in such Straddle Period; and the amount of other Taxes for a Straddle Period relating to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be determined based on an interim closing of the books as of the close of business on the Closing Date.

(c) Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns. Each of Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions and Flogistix Holdings, as applicable, shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) and file (or cause to be filed) all Tax Returns of any Estis Company, Flowco Company or Flogistix Company, respectively, with respect to Flow-Through Income Taxes for any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period and for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date (the “Holdings Prepared Returns”). Any Holdings Prepared Returns in respect of Flow-Through Income Taxes for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date shall be prepared based on an interim closing of the books method under Section 706 of the Code. Newco shall prepare and timely file or cause to be prepared and timely filed at its sole cost and expense all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to each of the Companies for any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period and for the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date that are filed after the Closing Date, other than the Holdings Prepared Returns (the “Newco Prepared Returns”). The Parties shall provide Newco and the other Parties with all information reasonably necessary to prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed any such Tax Returns contemplated by the preceding two sentences. Such Tax Returns shall be prepared on a basis consistent with past practice except to the extent otherwise required by applicable Laws. If any Tax shown as due on any Newco Prepared Return is required to be indemnified by any Party under Section 7.01(a), Section 9.02, Section 9.03

 

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or Section 9.04, as applicable, Newco shall, reasonably in advance of the due date of each Newco Prepared Return (taking into account any applicable extensions), deliver a draft of such Newco Prepared Return, together with all supporting documentation and workpapers, to the Party responsible for indemnification of the Taxes shown (or required to be shown) on such return under Section 7.01(a), Section 9.02, Section 9.03 or Section 9.04, as applicable, for its review and comment, and Newco will cause such Newco Prepared Return (as revised to incorporate such Party’s reasonable comments) to be timely filed and provide a copy thereof to such Party.

(d) Responsibility for Tax Audits and Contests. Except with respect to Flow-Through Income Taxes, the Party (or Parties) responsible for the Taxes under Section 7.01(a) for a period ending on or before the Closing Date shall control any audit or contest with respect to such Taxes, and Newco shall control any audit or contest relating to a Straddle Period; provided, with respect to a Straddle Period, the other Parties may participate at such Party’s own cost and expense. With respect to Flow-Through Income Taxes, Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions, or Flogistix Holdings, as applicable, shall control any audit or contest with respect to such Flow-Through Income Taxes of the relevant Estis Company, Flowco Company or Flogistix Company, respectively, relating to a Pre-Closing Date Tax Period, and Newco shall control any such audit or contest relating to a Straddle Period; provided, with respect to such Straddle Period audit or contest, Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions, or Flogistix Holdings, as applicable, may participate in such audit or contest at such Party’s own cost and expense. If, after the Closing Date, any Party receives notice of any audit or contest contemplated by this Section 7.01(d), the receiving Party shall notify the Party in control of such audit or contest under this Section 7.01(d) within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice. The Party in control of an audit or contest shall keep the other Parties reasonably informed of the status of the audit or contest (including providing copies of correspondence and pleadings), and the Party (or Parties) in control shall provide the other Parties, at such other Parties’ expense, the right to be present at, and participate in, any such audit or contest. None of the Parties shall settle any audit or contest in a way that would adversely affect the other Parties without such other Party’s written consent, which the other Party shall not unreasonably withhold. Each of the Parties, as applicable, shall provide the other Parties with all information reasonably necessary to conduct an audit or contest with respect to Taxes. If a Governmental Authority issues an “imputed underpayment” (as defined in Code Section 6225) assessment (or similar assessment under state, local, and non-U.S. tax law) against any Company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes for Flow-Through Income Taxes for a Pre-Closing Date Tax Period (or a Straddle Period), then the Parties, with respect to any such entity, shall cause the applicable partnership to make a “push out” election under Code Section 6226 (or any corresponding election under state, local and non-U.S. tax law) with respect to such imputed underpayment..

(e) Transfer Taxes. Any and all transfer, sales, use, value-added, excise, filing, recording, documentary, stamp or other similar Taxes, and all conveyance fees, recording charges and other fees and charges (including any penalties and interest) applicable to, imposed upon or arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (“Transfer Taxes”) when due shall be borne by Newco. Newco shall file, or cause to be filed, all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to any Transfer Taxes, promptly provide a copy of such Tax Returns to the other Parties, and pay such Transfer Taxes. The other Parties shall cooperate with Newco in the preparation of any necessary Tax Returns and other related documentation with respect to Transfer Taxes. Each Party agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Transfer Taxes and shall provide to the other Parties any exemption form or certificate as may be applicable to do so.

 

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(f) Tax Treatment. For U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the Parties hereby agree that the transactions under this Agreement shall be treated as (i) a contribution by Estis Holdings of the Estis Interests to Newco in exchange for Equity Interests of Newco in a transaction intended to be treated as a contribution under Section 721 of the Code, (ii) a contribution by Flowco Production Solutions of the Flowco Interests to Newco in exchange for Equity Interests of Newco in a transaction intended to be treated as a contribution under Section 721 of the Code, and (iii) a contribution by Flogistix Holdings of one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix GP and ninety-nine and nine tenths percent (99.9%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Flogistix LP to Newco in exchange for Equity Interests of Newco in a transaction intended to be treated as a contribution under Section 721 of the Code. The Parties hereby agree to file their respective Tax Returns consistent with such treatment.

(g) Tax Refunds. A Contributor shall be entitled to any and all refunds of Taxes of any Company attributable to any Pre-Closing Date Tax Period or portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date, unless such refunds were actually taken into account in determining Working Capital pursuant to Section 3.02. If a Company, Party or Affiliate thereof receives a refund of Taxes to which another Party is entitled pursuant to this Section 7.01(g), such recipient Party shall forward to the entitled Party the amount of such refund within thirty (30) days after such refund is received, net of any reasonable costs or expenses incurred by such recipient Party in procuring such refund.

(h) Conflict. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Section 7.01 and any other provision of this Agreement, this Section 7.01 shall control.

ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS

Section 8.01. Confidentiality. Each of the Parties agrees that the terms of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and any confidential, proprietary or secret information that such Party may obtain from the other Parties pursuant to financial statements, reports and other materials submitted by such Parties pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, constitutes “Confidential Information” as defined in the Newco LLC Agreement and will be subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 10.4 thereof.

Section 8.02. Public Announcements. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law (based upon the reasonable advice of counsel), no Party to this Agreement will make any public announcements in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise communicate with any news media without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

Section 8.03. Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each of the Parties will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

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Section 8.04. Releases.

(a) Estis Holdings on behalf of itself and the Estis Companies, their respective Affiliates and their respective Representatives, partners, members and equityholders, and such Persons’ successors and assigns (collectively, the “Estis Releasors”), hereby fully settles, releases and forever discharges Newco and its Affiliates (including the Estis Companies after the Closing) from any and all Released Actions and covenants not to sue or otherwise assert in any forum any Released Action against Newco and its Affiliates (including the Estis Companies after the Closing). This release covers, among other things, Released Actions that are unknown or unsuspected. Estis Holdings on behalf of itself and the Estis Releasors, acknowledges that it is aware that it may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which are now known or believed to be true with respect to the subject matter of this release, but such Estis Releasor will remain bound hereby and hereby fully releases all Released Actions without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence of different or additional facts and waives the protection of any statute or doctrine limiting a release of unknown or unsuspected Released Actions.

(b) Flowco Production Solutions on behalf of itself and the Flowco Companies, their respective Affiliates and their respective Representatives, partners, members and equityholders, and such Persons’ successors and assigns (collectively, the “Flowco Releasors”), hereby fully settles, releases and forever discharges Newco and its Affiliates (including the Flowco Companies after the Closing) from any and all Released Actions and covenants not to sue or otherwise assert in any forum any Released Action against Newco and its Affiliates (including the Flowco Companies after the Closing). This release covers, among other things, Released Actions that are unknown or unsuspected. Flowco Production Solutions on behalf of itself and the Flowco Releasors, acknowledges that it is aware that it may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which are now known or believed to be true with respect to the subject matter of this release, but such Flowco Releasor will remain bound hereby and hereby fully releases all Released Actions without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence of different or additional facts and waives the protection of any statute or doctrine limiting a release of unknown or unsuspected Released Actions.

(c) Flogistix Holdings on behalf of itself and the Flogistix Companies, their respective Affiliates and their respective Representatives, partners, members and equityholders, and such Persons’ successors and assigns (collectively, the “Flogistix Releasors”), hereby fully settles, releases and forever discharges Newco and its Affiliates (including the Flogistix Companies after the Closing) from any and all Released Actions and covenants not to sue or otherwise assert in any forum any Released Action against Newco and its Affiliates (including the Flogistix Companies after the Closing). This release covers, among other things, Released Actions that are unknown or unsuspected. Flogistix Holdings on behalf of itself and the Flogistix Releasors, acknowledges that it is aware that it may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which are now known or believed to be true with respect to the subject matter of this release, but such Flogistix Releasor will remain bound hereby and hereby fully releases all Released Actions without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence of different or additional facts and waives the protection of any statute or doctrine limiting a release of unknown or unsuspected Released Actions.

 

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Section 8.05. Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification.

(a) For a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date (and such additional period of time as may be necessary to fully and finally resolve any claims which have been duly submitted prior to the six (6) year anniversary of the Closing Date), unless otherwise required by applicable Law, Newco will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries (including after the Closing, the Companies) not to amend, repeal or modify any provision in any of its or their Organizational Documents relating to indemnification, exculpation or advancement of expenses of present and former directors, managers, officers or employees of any such Person or its predecessors (collectively, the “D&O Indemnified Parties”), in and to the extent of their capacities as such and not as equityholders, in any manner that would result in such provisions being less favorable to the D&O Indemnified Parties as in effect on the Closing Date.

(b) The obligations under this Section 8.05 are intended to be for the benefit of each D&O Indemnified Party and such D&O Indemnified Party’s respective estate, heirs and Representatives, and this Section 8.05 will not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party or such D&O Indemnified Party’s respective estate, heirs and Representatives without the consent of such D&O Indemnified Party. It is expressly agreed that the D&O Indemnified Parties and such D&O Indemnified Party’s respective estate, heirs and Representatives are third-party beneficiaries of this Section 8.05 and entitled to enforce the covenants contained herein against Newco and its Subsidiaries. Nothing herein will affect any indemnification rights that any D&O Indemnified Party or such D&O Indemnified Party’s respective estate, heirs and Representatives may have under the Organizational Documents of the Companies, as applicable, or applicable Law.

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.01. Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Parties contained herein will survive the Closing and will remain in full force and effect for twelve (12) months after the Closing Date; provided, that (a) the Fundamental Representations will survive indefinitely without limitation; (b) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.12 (Employee Benefit Plans) shall survive for three (3) years after the Closing Date; (c) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.17 (Environmental Matters) shall survive for five (5) years after the Closing Date; and (d) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.11 (Taxes) shall survive until thirty (30) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. Any Tax indemnification claims made pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(i), Section 7.01(a)(ii) or Section 7.01(a)(iii) shall survive until thirty (30) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. The covenants and agreements of the Parties contained herein will survive the Closing and will remain in full force and effect for a period of thirty (30) days after such covenants or agreements have been performed in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof or for the period explicitly specified herein. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, any claims asserted in good faith and in writing by notice from the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period will not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation or warranty, and such claims will survive until finally resolved. Claims based on Fraud shall survive indefinitely.

 

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Section 9.02. Indemnification by Estis Holdings. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article IX and in addition to (but without duplication of) the indemnification obligations set forth under Section 7.01(a)(i), Estis Holdings will indemnify and defend each of the Flowco Indemnitees and the Flogistix Indemnitees against, and will hold each of them harmless from and against, and will pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, each of the Flowco Indemnitees and the Flogistix Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of (a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties of Estis Holdings contained in Article IV, Article V, or Article VI or in the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement) or (b) the failure by Estis Holdings to perform any of Estis Holdings’ covenants or obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement).

Section 9.03. Indemnification by Flowco Production Solutions. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article IX and in addition to (but without duplication of) the indemnification obligations set forth under Section 7.01(a)(ii), Flowco Production Solutions will indemnify and defend each of the Estis Indemnitees and the Flogistix Indemnitees against, and will hold each of them harmless from and against, and will pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, each of the Estis Indemnitees and the Flogistix Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of (a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties of Flowco Production Solutions contained in Article IV or Article V or in the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement) or (b) the failure by Flowco Production Solutions to perform any of Flowco Production Solutions’ covenants or obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement).

Section 9.04. Indemnification by Flogistix Holdings. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article IX and in addition to (but without duplication of) the indemnification obligations set forth under Section 7.01(a)(iii), Flogistix Holdings will indemnify and defend each of the Estis Indemnitees and the Flowco Indemnitees against, and will hold each of them harmless from and against, and will pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, each of the Estis Indemnitees and the Flowco Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of (a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties of Flogistix Holdings contained in Article IV or Article V or in the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement) or (b) the failure by Flogistix Holdings to perform any of Flogistix Holdings’ covenants or obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement).

Section 9.05. Certain Limitations. Section 9.02, Section 9.03, and Section 9.04 shall be subject to the following limitations, as applicable:

(a) Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions and Flogistix Holdings, as applicable, will not have any indemnification obligation with respect to any individual or series of related Losses under Section 9.02(a), Section 9.03(a) or Section 9.04(a), as applicable, other than for Fraud, breaches of Fundamental Representations or breaches of Section 4.11 (Taxes), unless the amount of such individual Loss, when combined with any series of related Losses, exceeds $50,000. For the avoidance of doubt, any Loss, or series of Losses, that is below such threshold will not count towards the Basket.

 

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(b) Except for claims based on Fraud, breaches of the Fundamental Representations, and breaches of Section 4.11 (Taxes), no Indemnified Party shall be entitled to indemnification from any Party pursuant to Section 9.02(a), Section 9.03(a) or Section 9.04(a), as applicable, unless and until the Indemnified Parties have suffered aggregate Losses, excluding any Losses that are not indemnifiable pursuant to Section 9.05(a), in excess of $1,000,000 (the “Basket”), after which Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions or Flogistix Holdings, as applicable, shall be liable for the amount of any such Losses in excess of the Basket, subject to Section 9.05(a).

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the maximum aggregate Liability of: (i) Estis Holdings under Section 9.02(a) of this Agreement shall not exceed $177,588,587 (the “Estis Cap”), (ii) Flowco Production Solutions under Section 9.03(a) of this Agreement shall not exceed $90,535,358 (the “Flowco Cap”), and (iii) Flogistix Holdings under Section 9.04(a) of this Agreement shall not exceed $80,088,971 (the “Flogistix Cap”); provided, that none of the Estis Cap, the Flowco Cap or the Flogistix Cap will apply to claims based on Fraud, breaches of the Fundamental Representations, or breaches of Section 4.11 (Taxes). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, except in the event of Fraud, (1) Estis Holdings’ maximum indemnification Liability under Section 9.02 and Section 7.01(a) shall not exceed the aggregate value of the Series A Units held by Estis Holdings at the Closing, (2) Flowco Production Solutions’ maximum indemnification Liability under Section 9.03 and Section 7.01(a) shall not exceed the aggregate value of the Series A Units held by Flowco Production Solutions at the Closing, and (3) Flogistix Holdings’ maximum indemnification Liability under Section 9.04 and Section 7.01(a) shall not exceed the aggregate value of the Series A Units held by Flogistix Holdings at the Closing.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the amount of any Loss, at any time subsequent to an Indemnifying Party making an indemnity payment to an Indemnified Party for such Loss, is reduced by recovery, settlement or otherwise under or pursuant to any insurance coverage, or pursuant to any claim, recovery, settlement or payment by or against any other Person, the amount of such reduction actually received, less any costs, expenses, premiums, self-insured retention amounts or taxes incurred in connection therewith, will promptly be repaid by such Indemnified Party to such Indemnifying Party, net of any reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in connection with collecting such amount; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not (i) require an Indemnified Party to proceed or seek action or recovery from any such third party as a requirement hereunder or as a condition to seeking or recovering indemnification from any Indemnifying Party hereunder, or (ii) be construed or interpreted as a guaranty of any level or amount of insurance recovery with respect to any Losses hereunder or as a requirement to procure or maintain any insurance or to make any claim for insurance as a condition to any indemnification hereunder. Any Indemnified Party that becomes aware of Losses for which it intends to seek indemnification hereunder will use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue claims and collect any amounts to which it may be entitled under insurance policies or from third parties (pursuant to indemnification agreements or otherwise) and will use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate such Losses.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, under no circumstances will an Indemnified Party be entitled to recover more than one time for any Loss under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the prior sentence, if a set of facts, conditions or events constitutes a breach of more than one representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that is subject to the indemnification obligations under this Article IX, as applicable, only one recovery of Losses shall be allowed, and in no event shall there be any indemnification or duplication of payments or recovery under different provisions of this Agreement arising out of the same facts, conditions or events. No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover Losses in respect of a claim or otherwise obtain reimbursement or compensation based upon or arising out of any Liability to the extent such Liability was included in a Closing Adjustment Amount.

Section 9.06. Indemnification Procedures. The party making a claim under this Article IX is referred to as the “Indemnified Party”, and the party against whom such claims are asserted under this Article IX is referred to as the “Indemnifying Party”.

(a) Third-Party Claims.

(i) If any Indemnified Party receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any Action made or brought by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing (a “Third-Party Claim”) against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Indemnifying Party is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party will give the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of such notice of such Third-Party Claim. The failure to give such prompt written notice will not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely prejudiced by such failure or delay. Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, will include copies of all material written evidence thereof and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party.

(ii) The Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in, or by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party, to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim at the Indemnifying Party’s expense and by the Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, subject to reasonable approval of the Indemnified Party, and the Indemnified Party will cooperate in good faith in such defense; provided, that if the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Indemnified Party against such Third-Party Claim, it shall acknowledge to the Indemnified Party in writing its obligations to indemnify the Indemnified Party, at its sole cost and expense, with respect to all elements of such Third-Party Claim (subject to the applicable terms, conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement); provided further, that the Indemnifying Party will not have the right to defend or direct the defense of any such Third-Party Claim that seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party. In the event that the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any Third-Party Claim, then (1) subject to Section 9.06(b), it will have the right to take such action as it deems necessary to avoid, dispute, defend, appeal or make counterclaims pertaining to any such Third-Party Claim in the name and on behalf of the Indemnified

 

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Party, and (2) such assumption will conclusively establish for purposes of this Agreement that the claims made in that Third-Party Claim are within the scope of and subject to indemnification under this Article IX. Without limiting the Indemnifying Party’s right to assume and manage any such defense, the Indemnified Party will have the right to participate in the defense of any Third-Party Claim with counsel selected by it. The fees and disbursements of the Indemnified Party’s counsel will be at the expense of the Indemnified Party, provided, that if (A) the Indemnifying Party does not have the right to defend or direct the defense of such Third-Party Claim under the terms of this Agreement, including a Third-Party Claim that seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party, or (B) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Indemnified Party: (x) there are legal defenses available to an Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party; or (y) there exists a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party that is not waived, the Indemnifying Party will be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of one lawyer (or one law firm) to represent the Indemnified Party.

(iii) If the Indemnifying Party (x) accepts responsibility for such Third-Party Claim but fails to diligently defend such Third-Party Claim, (y) does not accept responsibility for such Third-Party Claim or (z) does not have the right to defend or direct the defense of a Third-Party Claim under the terms of this Agreement, including a Third-Party Claim that seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnified Party may assume control of the defense of such Third-Party Claim (including any settlement) and, in the event it is finally determined by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction that such Third-Party Claim was a matter for which the Indemnifying Party is responsible under the terms hereof, seek indemnification for any and all Losses based upon, arising from or relating to such Third-Party Claim. Each of the Parties will cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third-Party Claim.

(b) Settlement of Third-Party Claims. No compromise, settlement or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to such Third-Party Claim may be effected by the Indemnifying Party without the Indemnified Party’s prior written consent unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Law or any violation of the rights of any Person; (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party; (iii) the compromise, settlement or consent will not reasonably be expected to materially interfere with the Indemnified Party’s business; and (iv) all Indemnified Parties receive a full release of and from any other claims that may be made against the Indemnified Parties by the Person(s) who bring the Third-Party Claim.

(c) Direct Claims. Any Action by an Indemnified Party on account of a Loss that does not result from a Third-Party Claim (a “Direct Claim”) will be asserted by the Indemnified Party giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of such Direct Claim. The failure to give such prompt written notice will not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure or delay. Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail, will include copies of all material written evidence thereof and will

 

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indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. The Indemnified Party will allow the Indemnifying Party and its professional advisors to investigate the matter or circumstance alleged to give rise to the Direct Claim, and whether and to what extent any amount is payable in respect of the Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not so respond within such thirty (30)-day period, the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which case the Indemnified Party will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 9.07. Non-Party Indemnified Parties. Any claim for indemnification under this Article IX by any Person other than the Contributors (including the Indemnified Parties that are not Contributors) must be brought and administered by the Contributor affiliated with such Person. No Indemnified Party or Person other than the Contributors will have any rights against the other Parties under this Article IX except as may be exercised on its behalf by the Contributors, as applicable, under this Article IX. Each of the Contributors may elect to exercise or not exercise indemnification rights under this Article IX on behalf of the other Indemnified Party affiliated with such Contributor in its sole discretion and will have no Liability to any such other Indemnified Party for any action or inaction under this Article IX.

Section 9.08. Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments and Certain Closing Adjustment Amount Payments. In the event of any payments made in respect of a Closing Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 3.02(h) or any indemnification claim satisfied by surrender of Closing Units, adjustment of Newco Sharing Ratios or by payment made in cash or via redirected distribution pursuant to Section 9.09, Newco shall make, in each case, appropriate adjustments to reflect (i) a reduction in the value of the property contributed to the Company by the paying or indemnifying Party and (ii) appropriate adjustments necessitated as a result of any redirected distribution, change in Closing Units and/or Newco Sharing Ratios, or cash payment, as applicable.

Section 9.09. Sources of Recovery.

(a) To the extent any indemnification payment is due and owing pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any indemnifiable Loss, the Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days from the date such Loss is finally determined or agreed upon by the Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party (the “Indemnification Determination Date”) to deliver written notice to the Indemnified Party electing to satisfy such Loss in cash, in which case, the Indemnifying Party shall make such cash payment within sixty (60) days following such agreement or Final Determination. If the Indemnifying Party does not provide such notice within thirty (30) days, or does not then make such payment within such sixty (60)-day period or at the election of the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 9.09(b), then, pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement, Newco shall withhold and redirect to the Indemnified Party (or, if the Indemnified Party is not a Contributor, such Indemnified Party’s Contributor) distributions that would otherwise be made to the Indemnifying Party (or its Contributor, as applicable) pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement until there has been an aggregate amount of redirected distributions pursuant to this Section 9.09 equal to (x) the amount of such Loss plus (y) interest accruing on the amount in clause (x) from the date written notice of the claim is delivered to the Indemnifying Party at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly). 

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the case of a claim based on Fraud or based on breach of any Fundamental Representations and, in either case, the Loss resulting from such claim is less than or equal to the Estis Cap, the Flowco Cap or the Flogistix Cap, as applicable, the Indemnifying Party shall have the option to satisfy such Loss either pursuant to a cash payment as contemplated in Section 9.09(a), an offset against the distributions payable to such Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement as contemplated in Section 9.09(a) or an adjustment to the Indemnifying Party’s (or such Indemnifying Party’s Contributor’s) Closing Units and Newco Sharing Ratios based on the amount of such Loss; provided, however, that in the event of a claim based on Fraud or based on breach of any Fundamental Representations in which case the Loss is greater than the Estis Cap, the Flowco Cap or the Flogistix Cap, as applicable, the Indemnified Party shall have the option for such Loss to be satisfied by the Indemnifying Party either pursuant an offset against the distributions payable to such Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 6.1(d) of the Newco LLC Agreement as contemplated in Section 9.09(a) or an adjustment to the Indemnifying Party’s (or such Indemnifying Party’s Contributor’s) Closing Units and Newco Sharing Ratios based on the aggregate amount of such Loss.

(c) The Parties acknowledge and agree, that for purposes of determining the amount of any Loss for which a Contributor or such Contributor’s Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Article IX, the calculation of such Loss shall take into account such Contributor’s Newco Sharing Ratio to determine the extent to which such Contributor is entitled to indemnification for such Loss.

Section 9.10. Effect of Investigation. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification with respect thereto, will not be affected or deemed waived by reason of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party (including by any of its Representatives) or by reason of the fact that the Indemnified Party or any of its Representatives knew or should have known that any such representation or warranty is, was or might be inaccurate, as the case may be.

Section 9.11. Indemnification in Case of Strict Liability or Negligence. THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES SET FORTH IN THIS Article IX ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF NOTWITHSTANDING ANY EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE RULE OR ANY SIMILAR DIRECTIVE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OR OTHERWISE LIMIT INDEMNITIES BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OR OTHER FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTIES. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE INDEMNITIES SET FORTH HEREIN MAY RESULT IN THE INDEMNITY OF A PARTY FOR ITS SIMPLE OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OR OTHER FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY.

 

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Section 9.12. Exclusive Remedies. SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH Section 10.14, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT FROM AND AFTER THE CLOSING NO PARTY WILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY, AND NO PARTY WILL (AND EACH PARTY WILL CAUSE ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES NOT TO) MAKE ANY CLAIM, WHICH SUCH CLAIMS ARE HEREBY WAIVED AND RELEASED, FOR ANY LOSS OR ANY OTHER MATTER, UNDER, RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING BREACH OF REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, COVENANT OR AGREEMENT) OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN THE NEWCO LLC AGREEMENT) OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT FOR A CLAIM FOR INDEMNIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS Article IX, AND THIS Article IX SETS FORTH THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO THE PARTIES AND ANY OTHER PERSON ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION HEREUNDER RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, SUBJECT TO Section 3.02(i) AND Section 10.14 AND EXCEPT FOR A CLAIM BASED ON FRAUD. NONE OF THE PARTIES WILL HAVE ANY REMEDIES OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT) FOR ANY STATEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, DISCLOSURES, FAILURES TO DISCLOSE, REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

Section 9.13. Waiver of Certain Damages. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, NO PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING (COLLECTIVELY, “NON-REIMBURSABLE DAMAGES”): SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING ANY DAMAGES ON ACCOUNT OF LOST PROFITS OR OPPORTUNITIES, DIMINUTION IN VALUE OR LOST OR DELAYED BUSINESS), WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM ANY OTHER PARTY’S OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES’ SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT, IN EACH CASE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARE REASONABLY FORESEEABLE AND DIRECTLY ARISE FROM A BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THIRD PARTIES PURSUANT TO A CLAIM BY A THIRD PARTY WILL NOT BE DEEMED NON-REIMBURSABLE DAMAGES.

Section 9.14. Waiver of Other Representations.

(a) ESTIS HOLDINGS SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN Article IV AND Article V (IN EACH CASE, AS MODIFIED BY THE APPLICABLE DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES) OR IN ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS AND FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS ARE NOT MAKING, AND HAVE NOT MADE, AND EACH OF THEM HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IN RESPECT OF FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, THE FLOWCO COMPANIES, FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS OR THE FLOGISTIX COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, THE FLOWCO COMPANIES, FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS OR THE FLOGISTIX COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

 

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(b) FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN Article IV, Article V, AND, SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO ESTIS HOLDINGS, Article VI (IN EACH CASE, AS MODIFIED BY THE APPLICABLE DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES) OR IN ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, ESTIS HOLDINGS AND FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS ARE NOT MAKING, AND HAVE NOT MADE, AND EACH OF THEM HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IN RESPECT OF ESTIS HOLDINGS, THE ESTIS COMPANIES, NEWCO, FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS OR THE FLOGISTIX COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO ESTIS HOLDINGS, THE ESTIS COMPANIES, NEWCO, FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS OR THE FLOGISTIX COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

(c) FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN Article IV, Article V AND, SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO ESTIS HOLDINGS, Article VI (IN EACH CASE, AS MODIFIED BY THE APPLICABLE DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES) OR IN ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, ESTIS HOLDINGS AND FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS ARE NOT MAKING, AND HAVE NOT MADE, AND EACH OF THEM HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IN RESPECT OF ESTIS HOLDINGS, THE ESTIS COMPANIES, NEWCO, FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS OR THE FLOWCO COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO ESTIS HOLDINGS, THE ESTIS COMPANIES, NEWCO, FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS OR THE FLOWCO COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

(d) EACH OF THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS CONDUCTED TO ITS SATISFACTION ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE CONDITION AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANIES, AS APPLICABLE, AND IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION TO PROCEED WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE PARTIES HAS RELIED ON THE RESULTS OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

Section 9.15. Materiality Qualifiers. For purposes of determining whether there has been a breach of any Party’s representations and warranties herein for which any other Party or any other indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification hereunder and the calculation of any Losses arising from any such breach, any materiality qualifiers (including any “Material Adverse Effect”) contained in such Party’s representations or warranties shall be disregarded.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.01. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission will be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

Section 10.02. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly contemplated in this Agreement, all fees, costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred by the Parties in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses.

Section 10.03. Notices. All notices, demands, or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given or delivered if (a) delivered personally; (b) sent by email transmission to the email addresses below; or (c) sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier to the recipient for next Business Day delivery. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the address indicated below:

 

  (a)

If to Estis Holdings:

c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

Attention: Jonathan Fairbanks; Alexander Chmelev

Email: jonathan@geclp.com; alex@geclp.com

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

Locke Lord LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: H. William Swanstrom; Jennie Simmons

Email: bswanstrom@lockelord.com; jennie.simmons@lockelord.com

 

  (b)

If to Flowco Production Solutions:

c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

Attention: Jonathan Fairbanks; Alexander Chmelev

Email: jonathan@geclp.com; alex@geclp.com

 

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

Locke Lord LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: H. William Swanstrom; Jennie Simmons

Email: bswanstrom@lockelord.com; jennie.simmons@lockelord.com

 

  (c)

If to Flogistix Holdings:

c/o White Deer Management LLC

700 Louisiana Street, Suite 4770

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Varun Babbili

Email: vbabbili@whitedeerenergy.com

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

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

845 Texas Avenue, Suite 4700

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Robert Seber; Michael P. Marek

Email: rseber@velaw.com; mmarek@velaw.com

 

  (d)

If to Newco:

c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

Attention: Jonathan Fairbanks; Alexander Chmelev

Email: jonathan@geclp.com; alex@geclp.com

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

Locke Lord LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 2800

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: H. William Swanstrom; Jennie Simmons

Email: bswanstrom@lockelord.com; jennie.simmons@lockelord.com

or to such other address as any Party may specify by notice given to each of the other Parties in accordance with this Section 10.03. The date of delivery for any such notice will be (x) if delivered personally, on the date of hand delivery, (y) if delivered by email transmission, on the date of delivery if sent on a Business Day before 5:00 p.m., Central Time, or, if not sent on a Business Day before 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the following Business Day; or (z) if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight courier, on the Business Day after delivery to the overnight courier service.

 

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Section 10.04. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Law of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 10.05. Judicial Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial. ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (EACH, A “DISPUTE”) WILL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR, TO THE EXTENT SUCH COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE AND THE APPELLATE COURTS HAVING JURISDICTION OF APPEALS IN SUCH COURTS OR, TO THE EXTENT SUCH COURTS DO NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES (a) UNCONDITIONALLY ACCEPTS THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND ANY RELATED APPELLATE COURT AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY, AND (b) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION SUCH PARTY MAY NOW HAVE OR HEREAFTER HAS AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT OR THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN Section 10.03. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO WHICH THEY ARE PARTIES INVOLVING A DISPUTE.

Section 10.06. Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (b) the word “or” is not exclusive; (c) unless otherwise specified herein, references to any Law includes a reference to the corresponding rules and regulations and each of them as amended, modified, supplemented, consolidated, replaced or rewritten from time to time and references to any section of Law include any successor to such section; and (d) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to the Article, Section or other subdivision of this Agreement in which such words appear. All personal pronouns used in this Agreement will include the other genders whether used in the masculine or feminine or neuter gender, and the singular will include the plural whenever and as often as may be appropriate. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (i) to Articles, Sections, Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits mean the Articles and Sections of, and Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits attached to, this Agreement and (ii) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date for the commencement of such period shall be excluded, and if the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day. The Parties

 

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have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event of an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation, no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. The Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits referred to herein will be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “ordinary course of business” or “ordinary course” shall be deemed to refer to the ordinary conduct of business in a manner consistent with the past practices and customs of the applicable Party or Company. The phrase “made available” or “has provided” or similar phrases means that any of the Parties, its Affiliates or its Representatives has had the opportunity to review such documents or materials electronically by virtue of the electronic data room established by the Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated, in each case at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Closing Date. Any references in this Agreement to dollars or $ shall be deemed to be references to United States dollars. Each accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in accordance with GAAP.

Section 10.07. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 10.08. Disclosure Schedules. Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used on the Disclosure Schedules will have the respective meanings assigned in this Agreement. No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter on the Disclosure Schedules will be construed as an admission, acknowledgment or indication that such item or other matter is material or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed on the Disclosure Schedules. No disclosure on the Disclosure Schedules relating to any possible breach or violation of any agreement, Law or Permit will be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually occurred. The disclosure of any fact or item in any Disclosure Schedule shall, should the existence of such fact or item be relevant to any other Disclosure Schedules, be deemed to be disclosed with respect to that other Disclosure Schedule solely to the extent the relevance of such disclosure to such other section is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure.

Section 10.09. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

Section 10.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits attached hereto), the Confidentiality Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the sole and entire agreement of the Parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement), the Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits (other than an exception expressly set forth as such), the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.

 

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Section 10.11. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of the other Parties, and any attempted or purported assignment without such required consents shall be void ab initio. No assignment will relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder.

Section 10.12. Third-Party Beneficiaries. It is expressly agreed that (a) the Indemnified Parties and such Indemnified Parties’ respective estates, heirs and Representatives, with respect to Article IX, (b) the D&O Indemnified Parties and such D&O Indemnified Parties’ respective estates, heirs and Representatives, with respect to Section 8.05 and (c) the Estis Group Law Firm and the Flowco Group Law Firm and its respective successors and Representatives and the Flogistix Group Law Firm and its respective successors and Representatives, with respect to Section 10.15, are each third-party beneficiaries of such sections referenced herein and entitled to enforce the covenants contained therein. Other than as expressly provided in the preceding sentence, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other Person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 10.13. Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each Party. No waiver by any Party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the Party so waiving. No waiver by any Party will operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure or breach not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

Section 10.14. Specific Performance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (a) each Party recognizes and acknowledges that a breach by it of any covenants, agreements or obligations contained in this Agreement may cause the other Party to sustain irreparable harm for which they would not have an adequate remedy at Law, and therefore in the event of any such breach the aggrieved Party shall, without the posting of bond or other security (any requirement for which each Party hereby waives), be entitled to seek the remedy of specific performance of such covenants, agreements and obligations, including injunctive and other equitable relief, in addition to any other remedy to which it might be entitled, (b) a Party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of any covenants, agreements or obligations contained in this Agreement and (c) in the event that any Action is brought in equity to enforce such covenants or agreements, no Party shall allege, and each Party hereby waives the defense or counterclaim, that there is an adequate remedy at Law.

 

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Section 10.15. Conflict Waiver; Attorney-Client Privilege. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Related Parties, that:

(a) (i) Locke Lord LLP has acted as counsel to Estis Holdings and its Affiliates (individually and collectively, the “Estis Group”), Flowco Production Solutions and its Affiliates (individually and collectively, the “Flowco Group”) and Newco, and (ii) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has acted as counsel to Flogistix and its Affiliates (individually and collectively, the “Flogistix Group”), in each case, in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Parties hereby agree that, following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, such representation and any prior representation of the Estis Group, the Flowco Group and Newco by Locke Lord LLP (including any successor, the “Estis Group Law Firm”, the “Flowco Group Law Firm” and/or the “Newco Law Firm”, as applicable), and of Flogistix and its Affiliates by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (including any successor, the “Flogistix Group Law Firm”), shall not preclude (x) the Estis Group Law Firm, the Flowco Group Law Firm or the Newco Law Firm from serving as counsel to Newco, the Estis Group or the Flowco Group or any shareholder, member, partner or Representative of Newco, the Estis Group or the Flowco Group, or (y) the Flogistix Group Law Firm from serving as counsel to Newco, the Flogistix Group or any shareholder, member, partner or Representative of Newco or the Flogistix Group, in each case, in connection with any Action or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(b) (i) Neither Flogistix Holdings nor its Affiliates shall seek to or have the Estis Group Law Firm, the Flowco Group Law Firm or Newco Law Firm disqualified from any such representation based upon the prior representation of the Estis Group, the Flowco Group or Newco by such firm, and (ii) none of Estis Holdings, Flowco Production Solutions or their respective Affiliates shall seek to or have the Flogistix Group Law Firm disqualified from any such representation based upon the prior representation of Flogistix Group by the Flogistix Group Law Firm. The covenants contained in this Section 10.15 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Estis Group Law Firm, the Flowco Group Law Firm, the Newco Law Firm or the Flogistix Group Law Firm is entitled, whether pursuant to Law, contract or otherwise.

(c) This Section 10.15 is intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Estis Group Law Firm, the Flowco Group Law Firm, the Newco Law Firm and the Flogistix Group Law Firm, as applicable. This Section 10.15 shall be irrevocable, and no term of this Section 10.15 may be amended, waived or modified without the prior written consent of the Estis Group Law Firm, the Flowco Group Law Firm, the Newco Law Firm or the Flogistix Group Law Firm.

Section 10.16. Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any Action based upon, arising under, out of or in connection with, or related in any manner to this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement) or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby may only be brought against, the entities that are expressly named as Parties in the preamble of this Agreement (the “Contracting Parties”) and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such Contracting Party. No Person that is not a Contracting Party, including any past, present or future Representative or Affiliate of any Contracting Party or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (each,

 

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a “Nonparty Affiliate”), shall have any Liability (whether in contract, tort, at Law or in equity, or granted by statute or otherwise) for any Actions or Liabilities arising under, out of or in connection with, or related in any manner to this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents (other than the Newco LLC Agreement) or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, or based on, in respect of or by reason of this Agreement or its negotiation, execution, performance or breach. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases all such Actions and Liabilities against any such Nonparty Affiliates; (b) each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases any and all rights or Actions that may otherwise be available to avoid or disregard the entity form of a Contracting Party or otherwise impose Liability of a Contracting Party on any Nonparty Affiliate, whether granted by statute or based on theories of equity, agency, control, instrumentality, alter ego, domination, sham, single business enterprise, piercing the veil, unfairness, undercapitalization, or otherwise; and (c) each Contracting Party disclaims any reliance upon any Nonparty Affiliates with respect to the performance of this Agreement or any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed effective as of the Closing Date.

 

NEWCO:
FLOWCO MERGECO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Fairbanks

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager
ESTIS HOLDINGS:
GEC ESTIS HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Fairbanks

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager
FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS:
FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Fairbanks

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager
FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS:
FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Brooks Mims Talton III

Name: Brooks Mims Talton III
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to

Contribution Agreement


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF ESTIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

See attached.


Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Assignment”) is made as of June 20, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between GEC Estis Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignor”), and Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Assignor directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Estis Interests”) in Estis Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

WHEREAS, the Assignor and Assignee, are parties to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among the Assignor, the Assignee, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company, and Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Contribution Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, the Assignor wishes to transfer, assign and contribute to the Assignee, and the Assignee desires to accept and acquire from the Assignor, the Estis Interests free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances.

WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the transfer, assignment, and contribution of the Estis Interests to the Assignee, the parties hereto are executing and delivering this Assignment; and

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Assignor and Assignee hereby act and agree as follows:

1. Assignment. The Assignor hereby TRANSFERS, ASSIGNS, and CONTRIBUTES unto the Assignee and its successors and assigns, all right, title and interest in and to the Estis Interests.

2. Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. The Assignee hereby ASSUMES and agrees to pay, perform and discharge when due any and all liabilities based upon, arising out of or in connection with, or related in any manner to, the Estis Interests, subject to the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement.

3. Further Documents. The Assignor covenants and agrees with the Assignee that the Assignor, its successors and assigns shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as may reasonably be required to more effectively contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to and vest in the Assignee, or its respective successors and assigns, and to put the Assignee, or its successors and assigns, in possession of the Estis Interests sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered hereunder or otherwise carry out the purposes of this Assignment.


4. Conflicts. This Assignment is executed and delivered pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided that this Assignment (a) is subject and subordinate to all of the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement, (b) does not in any way amend or modify any of the provisions of the Contribution Agreement and (c) in the event of any conflict between any term or provision hereof and any term or provision of the Contribution Agreement, the latter shall control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing herein is intended to, nor shall it, expand, limit or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of the parties contained in the Contribution Agreement or the survival thereof.

5. Severability. If any term or provision of this Assignment is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Assignment or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Assignment so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

6. Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Assignment may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party will operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure or breach not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Assignment will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

7. Successors and Assigns. This Assignment will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of the other parties, and any attempted or purported assignment without such required consents shall be void ab initio. No assignment will relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder.

8. Counterparts. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Assignment delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission will be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Assignment.

9. Miscellaneous. Sections 10.03 (“Notices”), 10.04 (“Governing Law”), and 10.05 (“Judicial Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial”) of the Contribution Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNOR:

GEC ESTIS HOLDINGS LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (ESTIS INTERESTS)]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNEE:

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (ESTIS INTERESTS)]


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF FLOWCO ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

See attached.


Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Assignment”) is made as of June 20, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (the “Assignor”), and Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Assignor directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Flowco Interests”) in Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

WHEREAS, the Assignor and Assignee, are parties to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among the Assignor, the Assignee, GEC Estis Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Contribution Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, the Assignor wishes to transfer, assign and contribute to the Assignee, and the Assignee desires to accept and acquire from the Assignor, the Flowco Interests free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances.

WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the transfer, assignment, and contribution of the Flowco Interests to the Assignee, the parties hereto are executing and delivering this Assignment; and

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Assignor and Assignee hereby act and agree as follows:

1. Assignment. The Assignor hereby TRANSFERS, ASSIGNS, and CONTRIBUTES unto the Assignee and its successors and assigns, all right, title and interest in and to the Flowco Interests.

2. Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. The Assignee hereby ASSUMES and agrees to pay, perform and discharge when due any and all liabilities based upon, arising out of or in connection with, or related in any manner to, the Flowco Interests, subject to the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement.

3. Further Documents. The Assignor covenants and agrees with the Assignee that the Assignor, its successors and assigns shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as may reasonably be required to more effectively contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to and vest in the Assignee, or its respective successors and assigns, and to put the Assignee, or its successors and assigns, in possession of the Flowco Interests sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered hereunder or otherwise carry out the purposes of this Assignment.


4. Conflicts. This Assignment is executed and delivered pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided that this Assignment (a) is subject and subordinate to all of the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement, (b) does not in any way amend or modify any of the provisions of the Contribution Agreement and (c) in the event of any conflict between any term or provision hereof and any term or provision of the Contribution Agreement, the latter shall control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing herein is intended to, nor shall it, expand, limit or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of the parties contained in the Contribution Agreement or the survival thereof.

5. Severability. If any term or provision of this Assignment is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Assignment or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Assignment so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

6. Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Assignment may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party will operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure or breach not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Assignment will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

7. Successors and Assigns. This Assignment will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of the other parties, and any attempted or purported assignment without such required consents shall be void ab initio. No assignment will relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder.

8. Counterparts. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Assignment delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission will be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Assignment.

9. Miscellaneous. Sections 10.03 (“Notices”), 10.04 (“Governing Law”), and 10.05 (“Judicial Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial) of the Contribution Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNOR:

Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C.,

a Texas limited liability company

By:  

 

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (FLOWCO INTERESTS)]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNEE:

Flowco MergeCo LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (FLOWCO INTERESTS)]


EXHIBIT A-3

FORM OF FLOGISTIX ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

See attached.


Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Assignment”) is made as of June [__], 2024 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignor”), and Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignee”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Assignor directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (the “Flogistix Interests”) in Flogistix Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

WHEREAS, the Assignor and Assignee, are parties to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among the Assignor, the Assignee, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company, and GEC Estis Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Contribution Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the Contribution Agreement, the Assignor wishes to transfer, assign and contribute to the Assignee, and the Assignee desires to accept and acquire from the Assignor, the Flogistix Interests free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Corporate Encumbrances;

WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the transfer, assignment, and contribution of the Flogistix Interests to the Assignee, the parties hereto are executing and delivering this Assignment; and

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Assignor and Assignee hereby act and agree as follows:

1. Assignment. The Assignor hereby TRANSFERS, ASSIGNS, and CONTRIBUTES unto the Assignee and its successors and assigns, all right, title and interest in and to the Flogistix Interests.

2. Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. The Assignee hereby ASSUMES and agrees to pay, perform and discharge when due any and all liabilities based upon, arising out of or in connection with, or related in any manner to, the Flogistix Interests, subject to the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement.

3. Further Documents. The Assignor covenants and agrees with the Assignee that the Assignor, its successors and assigns shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as may reasonably be required to more effectively contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to and vest in the Assignee, or its respective successors and assigns, and to put the Assignee, or its successors and assigns, in possession of the Flogistix Interests sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered hereunder or otherwise carry out the purposes of this Assignment.


4. Conflicts. This Assignment is executed and delivered pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided that this Assignment (a) is subject and subordinate to all of the terms and provisions of the Contribution Agreement, (b) does not in any way amend or modify any of the provisions of the Contribution Agreement and (c) in the event of any conflict between any term or provision hereof and any term or provision of the Contribution Agreement, the latter shall control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing herein is intended to, nor shall it, expand, limit nor otherwise affect the rights or obligations of the parties contained in the Contribution Agreement or the survival thereof.

5. Severability. If any term or provision of this Assignment is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Assignment or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Assignment so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

6. Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Assignment may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party will operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure or breach not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Assignment will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

7. Successors and Assigns. This Assignment will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of the other parties, and any attempted or purported assignment without such required consents shall be void ab initio. No assignment will relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations hereunder.

8. Counterparts. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Assignment delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission will be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Assignment.


9. Miscellaneous. Sections 10.03 (“Notices”), 10.04 (“Governing Law”), 10.05 (“Judicial Proceedings; Waiver of Jury Trial”) of the Contribution Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNOR:

FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (FLOGISTIX INTERESTS)]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment of as of the Effective Date.

 

ASSIGNEE:

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

 

Name: Jonathan Fairbanks
Title: Manager

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (FLOGISTIX INTERESTS)]


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF NEWCO LLC AGREEMENT

See attached.


Execution Version

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

a Delaware limited liability company

June 20, 2024

 

 

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS EVIDENCED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE OR OTHER SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION THEREUNDER OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. IN ADDITION, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IS FURTHER RESTRICTED AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT. PURCHASERS OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THEIR INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.


AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

a Delaware limited liability company

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

     2  

1.1

  Definitions      2  

1.2

  Construction      2  

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATION

     3  

2.1

  Formation; Continuation      3  

2.2

  Name      3  

2.3

  Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices      3  

2.4

  Purposes      3  

2.5

  Foreign Qualification      3  

2.6

  Term      3  

2.7

  No State Law Partnership      3  

2.8

  Title to Company Assets      4  

ARTICLE 3 MEMBERS; UNITS

     4  

3.1

  Members      4  

3.2

  Units      4  

3.3

  Issuance of Series A Units on or prior to the Effective Date      4  

3.4

  No Other Persons Deemed Members      5  

3.5

  No Resignation or Expulsion      5  

3.6

  Members’ Schedules      5  

3.7

  Admission of Additional Members and Substituted Members and Creation of Additional Units      5  

3.8

  No Liability of Members      6  

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     6  

4.1

  Representations and Warranties of Members      6  

ARTICLE 5 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

     9  

5.1

  Contributions as of the Effective Date      9  

5.2

  Return of Contributions      9  

5.3

  Capital Account      9  

5.4

  Advances by Members      10  

5.5

  No Commitment for Additional Financing      10  

5.6

  Adjustments for Indemnification Obligations      11  

 

i


ARTICLE 6 DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

     13  

6.1

  Distributions      13  

6.2

  Allocations of Profits and Losses and other Items      16  

6.3

  Income Tax Allocations      19  

6.4

  Other Allocation Rules      20  

ARTICLE 7 DISPOSITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS; QUALIFIED IPO

     20  

7.1

  General Restrictions on Dispositions of Membership Interests      20  

7.2

  Restrictions on Dispositions of Units      21  

7.3

  Permitted Dispositions      21  

7.4

  Drag-Along Rights; Forced Sale      22  

7.5

  Tag-Along Rights      26  

7.6

  Qualified IPO      28  

7.7

  Preemptive Rights      31  

7.8

  Registration Rights      33  

7.9

  Specific Performance      33  

7.10

  Termination Following IPO Conversion      34  

7.11

  Certain Company Actions      34  

ARTICLE 8 MANAGEMENT

     35  

8.1

  Management Under Direction of the Board      35  

8.2

  Board of Managers      35  

8.3

  Board Observer      38  

8.4

  Officers      39  

8.5

  Members      39  

8.6

  Certain Decisions Requiring Unanimous Board Approval      39  

8.7

  Acknowledgement Regarding Outside Businesses and Opportunities      41  

8.8

  Amendment, Modification or Repeal      42  

ARTICLE 9 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

     42  

9.1

  Duties of Members and Managers; Limitation of Member and Manager Liability; Member and Manager Indemnification      42  

9.2

  Duties of Officers; Indemnification of Officers      45  

9.3

  Advance of Expenses      46  

9.4

  Procedure for Indemnification      46  

9.5

  Multiple Rights to Indemnification      47  

9.6

  Company Obligations; Indemnification Rights      47  

9.7

  Insurance      48  

9.8

  Release of Members      48  

ARTICLE 10 CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND MEMBERS

     48  

10.1

  Financial Reports and Access to Information      48  

10.2

  Maintenance of Books      50  

10.3

  Accounts      50  

 

ii


10.4

  Information; Confidentiality      51  

10.5

  VCOC Amendments      52  

10.6

  Corporate Transparency Act      52  

ARTICLE 11 TAXES

     53  

11.1

  Tax Returns      53  

11.2

  Tax Partnership      53  

11.3

  Tax Elections      53  

11.4

  Partnership Representative      53  

11.5

  Tax Sharing Agreement      55  

ARTICLE 12 DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION

     55  

12.1

  Dissolution      55  

12.2

  Winding-Up and Termination      56  

12.3

  Deficit Capital Accounts      57  

12.4

  Certificate of Cancellation      57  

ARTICLE 13 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     57  

13.1

  Notices      57  

13.2

  Entire Agreement; Supersedure      58  

13.3

  Effect of Waiver or Consent      58  

13.4

  Amendment or Restatement; Power of Attorney      58  

13.5

  Binding Effect      59  

13.6

  Governing Law; Dispute Resolution; Severability      59  

13.7

  Further Assurances      60  

13.8

  Counterparts      60  

13.9

  Fees and Expenses      61  

13.10

  No Presumption      61  

EXHIBITS:

 

  A

Defined Terms

  B

Addendum Agreement

  C

Registration Rights

SCHEDULES:

 

  I

Unitholders

  II

Effective Date Managers

  III

Effective Date Officers

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

a Delaware limited liability company

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of FLOWCO MERGECO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of June 20, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, by the Members.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to a certificate of formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 3, 2024 (the “Formation Date”);

WHEREAS, the Company has been governed since the Formation Date by that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of the Formation Date (the

Initial Agreement”);

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently herewith the Company is entering into that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of the Effective Date, with GEC Estis Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its transferees that are admitted as Members, if any, after the date hereof, the “Estis Member”), Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (together with its transferees that are admitted as Members, if any, after the date hereof, the “Flowco Member”) and Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its transferees that are admitted as Members, if any, after the date hereof, the “Flogistix Member”), pursuant to which each of the Estis Member, the Flowco Member and the Flogistix Member is contributing certain Equity Interests to the Company in exchange for Series A Units (the “Contribution Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in connection with and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Members deem it necessary, advisable and in the best interest of the Company and the Members to amend and restate the Initial Agreement in its entirety in order to, among other things, govern the manner by which the business and affairs of the Company will be managed and certain rights and obligations in respect of the ownership of Units; and

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Initial Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and this Agreement is hereby adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by the Members.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

1


ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto) but not defined in the body of this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in Exhibit A. Capitalized terms defined in the body of this Agreement are listed in Exhibit A with reference to the location of the definitions of such terms in the body of this Agreement.

1.2 Construction. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) pronouns in the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa; (b) the term “including” and variations thereof shall be construed to be expansive rather than limiting in nature and to mean “including, without limitation;” (c) the word “or” is inclusive; (d) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (e) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto, and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited; (f) references in any Article or Section or definition to any clause mean such clause of such Article, Section or definition; (g) references to Exhibits and Schedules are to the Exhibits or Schedules attached hereto, each of which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement for all purposes as if set forth in full herein; (h) all references to dollars or money refer to the lawful currency of the United States; (i) references to “federal” or “Federal” mean U.S. federal or U.S. Federal, respectively; (j) references to the “IRS” or the “Internal Revenue Service” refer to the United States Internal Revenue Service; (k) reference to any agreement (including this Agreement), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified (including any waiver or consent) and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; (l) reference to any Law means such Law as amended, modified, codified, reenacted or replaced and in effect from time to time; (m) references to “Revenue Procedures,” or “Revenue Rulings” refer to Revenue Procedures or Revenue Rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service; (n) any right expressly granted to the Estis Member hereunder will be deemed to have been granted a single time to all Members that collectively constitute the Estis Member, and if at any time one or more Members is an Estis Member, then any such Member will have the power and authority to exercise such right on behalf of all such Members, (o) any right expressly granted to the Flowco Member hereunder will be deemed to have been granted a single time to all Members that collectively constitute the Flowco Member, and if at any time one or more Members is a Flowco Member, then any such Member will have the power and authority to exercise such right on behalf of all such Members, and (p) any right expressly granted to the Flogistix Member hereunder will be deemed to have been granted a single time to all Members that collectively constitute the Flogistix Member, and if at any time one or more Members is a Flogistix Member, then any such Member will have the power and authority to exercise such right on behalf of all such Members. The Table of Contents and the Article and Section titles and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

2


ARTICLE 2

ORGANIZATION

2.1 Formation; Continuation. The Company was organized as a Delaware limited liability company under and pursuant to the Act by the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and is being continued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

2.2 Name. The name of the Company is “Flowco MergeCo LLC” and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other name or names that comply with Law and as the Board may select.

2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices. The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in Delaware shall be the office of the registered agent named in the Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Law. The registered agent of the Company in Delaware shall be the registered agent named in the Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Board may designate in the manner provided by Law. The principal office of the Company shall be at such place as the Board may designate. The Company may have such other offices as the Board may designate.

2.4 Purposes. The purposes of the Company are to directly, or indirectly through Subsidiaries or joint ventures, carry on the businesses of the Members as of the Effective Date, including production optimization and related oilfield services business lines, and any other lawful business, purpose or activity ancillary thereto for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act.

2.5 Foreign Qualification. The Company shall comply with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company to conduct business as a foreign limited liability company in foreign jurisdictions to the extent that any such jurisdiction requires qualification for the Company to conduct business therein and to maintain the limited liability of the Members. At the request of the Board, each Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue and terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business; provided, however, that, no Member shall be required to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity in any jurisdiction in which it is not already so qualified.

2.6 Term. The Company’s existence commenced upon the effectiveness of the Certificate, and the Company shall have a perpetual existence until it is dissolved and terminated in accordance with Article 12.

2.7 No State Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be, and the Company is not, a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be, and no Member is, a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than federal and applicable state and local tax purposes, and this Agreement shall not be construed to suggest otherwise.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

3


2.8 Title to Company Assets. Title to the Company’s assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity. Title to any or all of the Company assets may be held in the name of the Company, and no Member, Manager or Officer shall have any ownership interest in such Company assets. All Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to any such Company assets is held. The Company may form one or more Subsidiaries, as determined by the Board, to hold assets and conduct business.

ARTICLE 3

MEMBERS; UNITS

3.1 Members. The Persons listed on Schedule I are the Members of the Company as of the Effective Date (each, an “Effective Date Member”), and the Company has no other Members as of the Effective Date. Each Effective Date Member is admitted to the Company as a Member upon such Person’s execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement.

3.2 Units.

(a) Unit Designations. The Membership Interests in the Company shall be divided into and represented by series of Units, as determined by the Board. As of the Effective Date, the Membership Interests shall be represented by a single series of Units referred to as “Series A Units.” The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Series A Units.

(b) UCC Securities. Units shall constitute “securities” governed by Article 8 of the applicable version of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended from time to time after the Effective Date.

(c) Fractional Units. Any fractional Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (with any one-half Unit being rounded up).

3.3 Issuance of Series A Units on or prior to the Effective Date. On or prior to the Effective Date, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Member listed on Schedule I has contributed (or is deemed to have contributed) to the Company or its designee cash or property with the value set forth under column (1) opposite such Member’s name on Schedule I, and, in exchange for such contribution, the Company has issued to such Effective Date Member the number of Series A Units set forth under column (2) opposite such Member’s name on Schedule I.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

4


3.4 No Other Persons Deemed Members. Unless admitted to the Company as a Member as provided in this Agreement, no Person (including an assignee of rights with respect to Membership Interests or a transferee of Membership Interests, whether voluntary, by operation of Law or otherwise) shall be, or shall be considered, a Member. The Company may elect to deal only with Persons admitted to the Company as Members as provided in this Agreement (including their duly authorized representatives). Any distribution by the Company to the Person shown on the Company’s records as a Member, or to such Person’s legal representatives, shall relieve the Company of all liability to any other Person who may have an interest in such distribution by reason of any Disposition by the Member or for any other reason.

3.5 No Resignation or Expulsion. A Member may not take any action to Resign voluntarily, and a Member may not be expelled or otherwise removed involuntarily as a Member, prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company, other than as a result of a permitted Disposition of all of such Member’s Membership Interests in accordance with Article 7 and each of the transferees of such Membership Interests being admitted as a Substituted Member. A Member will cease to be a Member only in the manner described in Section 3.7 and Article 12.

3.6 Members Schedules. The Company shall maintain one or more schedules of all of the Members from time to time, including their respective mailing addresses and the Units held by them (such schedules, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, collectively the “Members Schedules”). A copy of the Members’ Schedule with respect to the Members holding Series A Units as of the Effective Date is attached as Schedule I.

3.7 Admission of Additional Members and Substituted Members and Creation of Additional Units.

(a) Authority. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 3 and in Article 7, and subject to Section 8.6 and Section 13.4, the Company may admit Additional Members and Substituted Members and may also (i) issue additional Series A Units at Fair Market Value (as reasonably determined by the Board acting in good faith), or (ii) create and issue such additional classes or series of Units or other Membership Interests (or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for a Membership Interest) having such designations, preferences and relative, participating or other special rights, powers and duties as the Board shall determine. Upon the issuance pursuant to and in accordance with this Article 3 of any class or series of Membership Interests, the Board may, subject to Section 8.6 and Section 13.4, amend any provision of this Agreement, and authorize any Person to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record, if required, such documents, to the extent necessary or desirable to reflect the admission of any Additional Member to the Company or the authorization and issuance of such class or series of Membership Interests (or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for a Membership Interest), and the related rights and preferences thereof.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

5


(b) Conditions. An Additional Member or Substituted Member shall be admitted to the Company with all the rights and obligations of a Member effective on the date such Person’s name is recorded on the books and records of the Company if (i) all applicable conditions of Article 7 are satisfied and (ii) such Additional Member or Substituted Member, if not already a party to this Agreement, shall have executed and delivered to the Company an Addendum Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B (an “Addendum Agreement”) and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission of such Additional Member or Substituted Member. No Disposition or issuance of Membership Interests otherwise permitted or required by this Agreement shall be effective, no Member shall have the right to substitute a transferee as a Member in its place with respect to any Membership Interests acquired by such transferee in any Disposition and no purchaser of newly issued Membership Interests from the Company shall be deemed to be a Member if the foregoing conditions are not satisfied. Upon the admission of an Additional Member or Substituted Member, the Company shall update the Members’ Schedules as appropriate. Any Member who Disposed of all of such Member’s Membership Interests in one or more Dispositions permitted pursuant to this Section 3.7 and Article 7 shall cease to be a Member as of the date of the last such Disposition; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, such Member shall not be relieved of any liabilities that arise under or are incurred by such Member pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement prior to the time such Member Disposes of any Membership Interests or ceases to be a Member hereunder and such Member shall continue to be subject to the terms of Sections 6.1(f), 10.4, 11.4, 13.1 through 13.3, and 13.5 through 13.10.

3.8 No Liability of Members. Except as otherwise provided under the Act, the debts, liabilities, contracts and other obligations of the Company (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) shall be solely the debts, liabilities, contracts and other obligations of the Company, and no Member in its capacity as such shall be liable personally (a) for any debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations of the Company, except to the extent and under the circumstances set forth in any non-waivable provision of the Act or in any separate written instrument signed by the applicable Member, or (b) for any debts, liabilities, contracts or other obligations of any other Member. No Member shall have any responsibility to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account or to contribute to or in respect of the liabilities or obligations of the Company or to return distributions made by the Company, except as expressly provided herein or required by any non-waivable provision of the Act. The agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a compromise with the consent of all of the Members for purposes of § 18-502(b) of the Act. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction orders, holds or determines that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to restore any such negative balance, make any such contribution or make any such return, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Person.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1 Representations and Warranties of Members. Each Member severally, but not jointly, represents and warrants as of the Effective Date (or, in the case of an Additional Member or Substituted Member, as of the date such Person is admitted to the Company pursuant to Section 3.7(b)) to the Company that:

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

6


(a) Authority. Such Member has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance by such Member of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party have been, or will be, duly authorized by all necessary action.

(b) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which such Member is, or will be, a party has been, or will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Member and constitutes, or shall constitute, the binding obligation of such Member enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms, subject to Creditors’ Rights.

(c) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by such Member of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party will not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, (i) violate any provision of Law to which such Member is subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or decree applicable to such Member, or (iii) conflict with, or result in a breach or default under: (A) any term or condition of such Member’s organizational documents; or (B) any other instrument to which such Member is a party or by which any property of such Member is otherwise bound or subject, except, in the case of this clause (B), where such conflict, breach or default would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which such Member is, or will be, a party or to materially impair such Member’s ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.

(d) Investment Entirely for Own Account. The Membership Interests acquired or to be acquired by such Member will be acquired for investment for such Member’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof; such Member has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same; and such Member does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Membership Interests.

(e) Unregistered Securities. Such Member understands that the Membership Interests, at the time of issuance, will not be registered under the Securities Act or other applicable federal or state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such Member also understands that such Membership Interests are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon such Member’s representations contained in this Agreement.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

7


(f) Information; Investment Experience. Such Member acknowledges that such Member is familiar with the business and financial condition, properties, operations and prospects of the Company, and such Member has made all investigations which it deems necessary or desirable for deciding whether to make an investment in the Membership Interests. Such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such Member is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Membership Interests and of making an informed investment decision with respect to the purchase thereof and understands that (i) this investment is suitable only for an investor that is able to bear the economic consequences of losing such investor’s entire investment, (ii) the acquisition of the Membership Interests hereunder is a speculative investment which involves a high degree of risk of loss, which could include the loss of the Member’s entire investment, and (iii) there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of, and there will be no public market for, the Membership Interests, and accordingly, it may not be possible for such Member to liquidate such Member’s investment in case of emergency.

(g) Accredited Investor or Employee. Such Member is (i) an Accredited Investor or (ii) a natural person and an employee of the Company or one of the Company’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

(h) Restricted Securities. Such Member understands that the Membership Interests to be acquired by such Member may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, and that in the absence of either an effective registration statement covering such Membership Interests or an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Membership Interests must be held indefinitely. Such Member understands that the Company has no present intention of registering the Membership Interests to be acquired by such Member. Such Member also understands that there is no assurance that any exemption from registration under the Securities Act will be available and that, even if available, such exemption may not allow such Member to transfer all or any portion of the Membership Interests to be acquired by it under the circumstances, in the amounts or at the times such Member might propose. In particular, such Member is aware that the Membership Interests may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act unless all of the conditions of Rule 144 are met. Among the conditions for use of Rule 144 may be availability of current information to the public about the Company. Such information is not now available and the Company has no plans to make such information available.

(i) Taxes. Such Member has reviewed with its own tax advisors the federal, state and local and the other tax consequences of an investment in Membership Interests and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which such Member is, or will be, a party. Such Member acknowledges and agrees that the Company is making no representation or warranty as to the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences to such Member as a result of such Member’s acquisition of Membership Interests or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which such Member is, or will be, a party. Such Member understands that it shall be responsible for its own tax liability that may arise as result of such Member’s acquisition of Membership Interests.

 

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ARTICLE 5

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

5.1 Contributions as of the Effective Date. Schedule I sets forth the aggregate Capital Contributions that for all purposes hereunder are deemed to have been made by the Effective Date Members listed on Schedule I and the number of Series A Units held by such Effective Date Members as of the Effective Date. The Board may cause the Company to update Schedule I, from time to time, in accordance with Section 13.4(b) to reflect any changes thereto after the Effective Date; provided, that the failure to timely amend Schedule I will in no way effect the validity of any Disposition, issuance or forfeiture of Units or other transaction.

5.2 Return of Contributions. A Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of either its Capital Account or its Capital Contributions. An unreturned Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member, or any Member’s Affiliates, partners, equityholders or Representatives. The return of such Capital Contributions (or any return thereon) shall be made solely from the Company’s assets and a Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable the Company to return any Member’s Capital Contributions.

5.3 Capital Account.

(a) A Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each Member in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Each Member’s Capital Account (x) shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by such Member to the Company (including, to the extent applicable, pursuant to Section 5.3(b)), (ii) the initial Book Value of property contributed by such Member to the Company (net of liabilities secured by the contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752), (iii) allocations to such Member of Profits and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 6.2, and (iv) any other increases allowed or required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and (y) shall be decreased by (i) the amount of money distributed to such Member by the Company (including distributions treated as advances under Section 6.1(b)), (ii) the Book Value of property distributed to such Member by the Company (net of liabilities secured by the distributed property that such Member is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752), (iii) allocations to such Member of Losses and any other items of loss or deduction allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 6.2, and (iv) any other decreases allowed or required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). On the transfer of all or part of a Member’s Membership Interests, the Capital Account of the transferor that is attributable to the transferred Membership Interests shall carry over to the transferee Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l). A Member that has more than one class or series of Units shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all such Units; provided, however, that the Capital Accounts shall be maintained in such manner as will facilitate a determination of the portion of each Capital Account attributable to each class or series of Units.

 

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(b) If any Company Level Tax (i) for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts and allocating Profits and Losses, is treated as an expense of the Company, and (ii) for purposes of Article 6, relates to one or more Members (each such Member, an “Affected Member”) and is recoverable from such Affected Members in accordance with Section 6.1(f), then to the extent that the Board reasonably determines it is appropriate for purposes of properly maintaining Capital Accounts (including by avoiding duplicative reductions thereto), the Company (A) shall allocate the expense with respect to such tax to the Affected Members in accordance with Section 6.2(b)(x), (B) to the extent the Company recovers the Company Level Tax by payment from the Affected Members (whether directly or in repayment of a deemed loan), shall increase the Affected Members’ Capital Account by the amount of such payment in accordance with Section 5.3(a)(x)(i) (notwithstanding that, for all other purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such payment shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution and shall not reduce the amount that the Affected Members are otherwise obligated to contribute to the Company), and (C) to the extent the Company recovers the Company Level Tax by reducing the distributions to which the Affected Members would otherwise be entitled to receive, shall not reduce the Capital Account of the Affected Members by the amount of the distributions that were offset (notwithstanding that for purposes of Article 6, the amount of such distributions that were offset will be treated as having been distributed to the Affected Members).

5.4 Advances by Members. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.7, if the Company does not have sufficient cash to pay its obligations, then the Board may permit any or all of the Members to (but shall not impose upon the Members any obligation to) advance all or a portion of the needed funds to or on behalf of the Company (a “Member Advance”), which advances will constitute a loan from such Member or Members to the Company, will bear interest and be subject to such other terms and conditions as agreed between such Member or Members and the Company with Board Approval and will not be deemed to be a Capital Contribution.

5.5 No Commitment for Additional Financing. The Company and each Member acknowledges and agrees that no Member has made any representation, commitment or agreement to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance. In addition, the Company and each Member acknowledge and agree that (a) no statements made by any Member or its representatives before, on or after the Effective Date shall create an obligation to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment, (b) the Company shall not rely on any such statement by any Member or its representatives, and (c) an obligation to provide or assist the Company in obtaining any financing or investment may only be created by a written agreement, signed by such Member and the Company, setting forth the terms and conditions of such financing or investment and stating that the parties intend for such writing to be a binding obligation or agreement. Each Member shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse or decline to participate in any other financing of, or investment in, the Company and shall have no obligation to assist or cooperate with the Company in obtaining any financing, investment or other assistance.

 

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5.6 Adjustments for Indemnification Obligations.

(a) In the event the Estis Member incurs an Indemnification Obligation and (i) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Estis Member does not elect to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, or, if the Estis Member so elects to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, does not make such cash payment within sixty (60) days following the Indemnification Determination Date, (ii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Estis Member elects to satisfy an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Estis Member that is less than or equal to the Estis Cap (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) through an offset against distributions, or (iii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Indemnified Party to whom the Estis Member owes an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Estis Member that is greater than the Estis Cap elects to have such loss satisfied through an offset against distributions, the Estis Member’s Indemnification Obligation shall be satisfied through offsets to amounts that would otherwise be distributed to the Estis Member in accordance with Section 6.1(d). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if, pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, either the Estis Member or the Indemnified Party elects to recover an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Estis Member through an adjustment to the Estis Member’s Series A Units, then (i) on the Indemnification Determination Date, the Estis Member shall automatically forfeit Series A Units equal to the amount of such Indemnification Obligation for which such election was made based on a value of $174.11 per Series A Unit, and (ii) the Capital Account and the Capital Contributions of the Estis Member shall be automatically and correspondingly adjusted to reflect the amount of the Indemnification Obligation. Otherwise, any Indemnification Obligations shall be satisfied in accordance with Article IX of the Contribution Agreement; provided, however, that, other than as provided in Section 6.1(d), no payments by the Estis Member in satisfaction of an Indemnification Obligation shall be treated as additional Capital Contributions for purposes of this Agreement, nor shall such payment result in the grant of any additional Series A Units to the Estis Member.

(b) In the event the Flowco Member incurs an Indemnification Obligation and (i) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Flowco Member does not elect to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, or, if the Flowco Member so elects to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, does not make such cash payment within sixty (60) days following the Indemnification Determination Date, (ii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Flowco Member elects to satisfy an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flowco Member that is less than or equal to the Flowco Cap (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) through an offset against distributions, or (iii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Indemnified Party to whom the Flowco Member owes an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flowco Member that is

 

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greater than the Flowco Cap elects to have such loss satisfied through an offset against distributions, the Flowco Member’s Indemnification Obligation shall be satisfied through offsets to amounts that would otherwise be distributed to the Flowco Member in accordance with Section 6.1(d). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if, pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, either the Flowco Member or the Indemnified Party elects to recover an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flowco Member through an adjustment to the Flowco Member’s Series A Units, then (i) on the Indemnification Determination Date, the Flowco Member shall automatically forfeit Series A Units equal to the amount of such Indemnification Obligation for which such election was made based on a value of $174.11 per Series A Unit, and (ii) the Capital Account and the Capital Contributions of the Flowco Member shall be automatically and correspondingly adjusted to reflect the amount of the Indemnification Obligation. Otherwise, any Indemnification Obligations shall be satisfied in accordance with Article IX of the Contribution Agreement; provided, however, that, other than as provided in Section 6.1(d), no payments by the Flowco Member in satisfaction of an Indemnification Obligation shall be treated as additional Capital Contributions for purposes of this Agreement, nor shall such payment result in the grant of any additional Series A Units to the Flowco Member.

(c) In the event the Flogistix Member incurs an Indemnification Obligation and (i) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Flogistix Member does not elect to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, or, if the Flogistix Member so elects to satisfy such Indemnification Obligation in cash, does not make such cash payment within sixty (60) days following the Indemnification Determination Date, (ii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Flogistix Member elects to satisfy an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flogistix Member that is less than or equal to the Flogistix Cap (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) through an offset against distributions, or (iii) pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, the Indemnified Party to whom the Flogistix Member owes an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flogistix Member that is greater than the Flogistix Cap elects to have such loss satisfied through an offset against distributions, the Flogistix Member’s Indemnification Obligation shall be satisfied through offsets to amounts that would otherwise be distributed to the Flogistix Member in accordance with Section 6.1(d). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if, pursuant to Section 9.09 of the Contribution Agreement, either the Flogistix Member or the Indemnified Party elects to recover an Indemnification Obligation relating to a claim based on Fraud or a breach of a Fundamental Representation by the Flogistix Member through an adjustment to the Flogistix Member’s Series A Units, then (i) on the Indemnification Determination Date, the Flogistix Member shall automatically forfeit Series A Units equal to the amount of such Indemnification Obligation for which such election was made based on a value of $174.11 per Series A Unit, and (ii) the Capital Account and the Capital Contributions of the Flogistix Member shall be automatically and correspondingly adjusted to reflect the amount of the Indemnification Obligation.

 

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Otherwise, any Indemnification Obligations shall be satisfied in accordance with Article IX of the Contribution Agreement; provided, however, that, other than as provided in Section 6.1(d), no payments by the Flogistix Member in satisfaction of an Indemnification Obligation shall be treated as additional Capital Contributions for purposes of this Agreement, nor shall such payment result in the grant of any additional Series A Units to the Flogistix Member.

(d) For federal (and applicable state and local) tax purposes, appropriate adjustments shall be made to account for any and all adjustments to the Capital Accounts and/or Capital Contributions of any Member pursuant to this Section 5.6.

ARTICLE 6

DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

6.1 Distributions.

(a) Each distribution made by the Company, regardless of the source or character of the assets to be distributed, shall be made in accordance with this Article 6 and applicable Law.

(b) The Company shall, subject to the availability of funds (as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith), make cash distributions to each Member on the Tax Distribution Date with respect to each Fiscal Year to the extent of the required Tax Distribution, if any, of such Member for such Fiscal Year; provided, however, the Company may, upon election by the Board in its sole discretion, make such cash distributions on a quarterly basis based upon estimates of the required Tax Distribution in a manner sufficient to permit the Members to satisfy their respective quarterly estimated tax payment obligations. If on a Tax Distribution Date (or date of a quarterly estimated distribution) there is not sufficient available cash to distribute to each Member the full amount of such Member’s Tax Distribution (or quarterly estimate thereof), distributions shall be made to the Members to the extent of the available cash in proportion to each Member’s required Tax Distribution (or quarterly estimate thereof). All quarterly tax distributions to a Member shall be treated as an advance of, and shall offset, the cash distribution payable to the Member (pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)) on the next Tax Distribution Date. Any distributions made pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) to a Member shall be treated as an advance payment of, and shall reduce, the amounts otherwise distributable to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(c) or Section 12.2(c) in subsequent distributions.

(c) The Board shall have sole discretion to determine the timing of any distribution, subject to the limitations on such discretion set forth in Section 6.1(b), and the aggregate amounts available for such distribution. Each such other distribution made by the Company, regardless of the source or character of the assets to be distributed, shall be made to the Members pro rata in accordance with such Members’ respective Sharing Ratios. Any non-cash distributions, or distributions which include a combination of cash and one or more other assets, shall be allocated proportionally among the Members such that each Member receives the same ratio of cash distributions to non-cash distributions.

 

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(d) In the event a Member (i) has a positive Closing Adjustment Amount as finally determined in accordance with Section 3.02 of the Contribution Agreement or (ii) is required to, or elects to, satisfy an Indemnification Obligation with an Indemnification Offset in accordance with Section 5.6 (such Member a “Defaulting Member”), the Board shall offset against any distributions otherwise payable to the Defaulting Member pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement, and redirect such distributions to the non-Defaulting Members entitled to receive such distributions under the Contribution Agreement (the “Non-Defaulting Members”), until the aggregate amount offset against such Defaulting Member’s distributions and redirected to the Non-Defaulting Members equals the (A) (I) applicable Closing Adjustment Amount or Indemnification Obligation, as applicable multiplied by (II) (x) 100%, minus (y) the Sharing Ratio of such Defaulting Member plus (B) interest accruing on the amount in clause (A) at a rate of 8.00% per annum (compounding quarterly) in accordance with the last sentence of this Section 6.1(d) (the “Offset Amount”). The Capital Contribution and Capital Account of the Defaulting Member shall be automatically and correspondingly reduced by any such positive Closing Adjustment Amount or Indemnification Offset, as applicable, and all distributions otherwise payable to a Defaulting Member that are offset pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) and redirected to the Non-Defaulting Members shall be treated as if the Company distributed such amounts to the Defaulting Member, and immediately thereafter the Defaulting Member (A) paid to the Company any portion of the Offset Amount which relates to accrued but unpaid interest and (B) contributed the remaining amount of the Offset Amount as a Capital Contribution; provided that, such Capital Contribution shall not result in the grant of any additional Series A Units to the Defaulting Member. With respect to any Closing Adjustment Amount, interest shall accrue from the date the applicable Closing Statement is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.02 of the Contribution Agreement. With respect to any Indemnification Obligation, interest shall accrue from the date of the Indemnification Determination Date.

(e) All distributions made under this Section 6.1 shall be made to the holders of record of the applicable Units on the record date established by the Board or, in the absence of any such record date, to the holders of the applicable Units on the date of the distribution.

(f) Withholding.

(i) The Company and its Subsidiaries may withhold from distributions, allocations or portions thereof to the extent it is required to do so by any applicable rule, regulation or law, and each Member hereby authorizes the Company to withhold or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Member any amount of federal, state, provincial, local or foreign taxes that the Board reasonably determines that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Member pursuant to this

 

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Agreement. The Company shall cooperate in good faith with each of the Members to minimize the amounts that the Company is required to deduct or withhold with respect to such Member, and if the Company is required to make any deduction or withholding with respect to any Member, the Company shall provide notice to such Member reasonably in advance of such deduction or withholding, which notice shall include the authority, basis and method of calculation for the proposed deduction or withholding. To the extent that any tax is paid by (or withheld from amounts payable to) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Board reasonably determines that such tax relates to one or more specific Members (including any Company Level Taxes), such tax shall be treated as an amount of taxes withheld or paid with respect to such Member pursuant to this Section 6.1(f). Any determinations made by the Board pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.1(f)(i) shall be binding upon the Members.

(ii) For all purposes under this Agreement, any amounts so withheld or paid with respect to a Member (including any Company Level Taxes) pursuant to this Section 6.1(f) shall offset any distributions to which such Member is entitled concurrently with such withholding or payment and shall be treated as actually distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(c) at the time such offset is made. Further, to the extent that the cumulative amount of such withholding or payment for any period exceeds the distributions to which such Member is entitled for such period, the amount of such excess shall be considered a loan from the Company to such Member, with interest accruing at the primary rate of interest then publicly quoted by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. or, at the request of the Board, the amount of such excess shall be promptly paid to the Company by the Member on whose behalf such withholding is required to be made; provided, however, that any such payment shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution and shall not reduce the amount that a Member is otherwise obligated to contribute to the Company, if any. Any such loan shall be satisfied out of distributions to which such Member would otherwise be subsequently entitled (and, to the extent satisfied out of such distributions, such amounts shall be treated as distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(c) at the time of such satisfaction) until such loan becomes due and payable in full, which shall occur upon the earlier of (A) the date immediately prior to the date on which the IPO Issuer first becomes an “issuer” within the meaning of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or (B) such time as the Board requests that the Member pay such amount to the Company. Each Member hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a security interest in such Member’s Units to secure such Member’s obligation to pay to the Company any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 6.1(f). Each Member shall take such actions as the Company may request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder. Each Member hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the other Members, the Partnership Representative and the Board from and against any liability (including any liability for Company Level Taxes) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Member.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, (A) any Person who ceases to be a Member shall be treated as a Member for purposes of this Section 6.1(f) and (B) the obligations of a Member pursuant to this Section 6.1(f) shall survive indefinitely with respect to any taxes withheld or paid by the Company that relate to the period during which such Person was actually a Member, regardless of whether such taxes are assessed, withheld or otherwise paid during such period; provided, however, that if the Board determines in its sole discretion that seeking indemnification for Company Level Taxes from a former Member is not practicable, or that seeking such indemnification has failed, then, in either case, the Board may (A) recover any liability for Company Level Taxes from the substituted Member that acquired directly or indirectly the applicable Membership Interest from such former Member or (B) treat such liability for Company Level Taxes as a Company expense.

6.2 Allocations of Profits and Losses and other Items.

(a) Profit and Loss Allocations. After giving effect to the Regulatory Allocations, Profits and Losses (and to the extent reasonably determined to be necessary and appropriate by the Board to achieve the resulting Capital Account balances described below, any allocable items of gross income, gain, loss and expense includable in the computation of Profits and Losses) for each Fiscal Period shall be allocated among the Members during such Fiscal Period, in such a manner as shall cause the Capital Accounts of the Members (as adjusted to reflect all Regulatory Allocations, Capital Contributions and distributions through the end of such Fiscal Period) to equal, as nearly as possible, (i) the amount such Members would receive if all assets of the Company on hand at the end of such Fiscal Period were sold for cash equal to their Book Values, all liabilities of the Company were satisfied in cash in accordance with their terms (limited in the case of non-recourse liabilities to the Book Value of the property securing such liabilities) and all remaining or resulting cash were distributed to the Members under Section 12.2(c)(iii), minus (ii) such Member’s share of Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets, and the amount any such Member is treated as obligated to contribute to the Company, computed immediately after the hypothetical sale of assets.

(b) Regulatory Allocations. The following allocations shall be made in the following order:

(i) Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Period.

(ii) Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated to the Members bearing the Economic Risk of Loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4). If more than one Member bears the Economic Risk of Loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt, the Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated among the Members according to the ratio in which they bear the Economic Risk of Loss. This Section 6.2(b)(ii) is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Minimum Gain for a Fiscal Period (or if there was a net decrease in Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 6.2(b)(iii)), items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Member in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in such Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(g)(2)). This Section 6.2(b)(iii) is intended to constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704- 2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iv) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 6.2(b)(iii) (dealing with Minimum Gain), if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain for a Fiscal Period (or if there was a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain for a prior Fiscal Period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 6.2(b)(iv)), items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Member in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). This Section 6.2(b)(iv) is intended to constitute a partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(v) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 6.2(b)(i) and Section 6.2(b)(ii), no Losses or other items of loss or expense shall be allocated to any Member to the extent that such allocation would cause such Member to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account) at the end of such Fiscal Period. All Losses and other items of loss and expense in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section 6.2(b)(v) shall be allocated to the Members who do not have a deficit balance in their Adjusted Capital Accounts in proportion to their relative positive Adjusted Capital Accounts but only to the extent that such Losses and other items of loss and expense do not cause any such Member to have a deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account.

 

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(vi) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 6.2(b)(iii) and Section 6.2(b)(iv), a Member who unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6) shall be allocated items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income and gain for the Fiscal Period) in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate any deficit balance in such Member’s Adjusted Capital Account as quickly as possible; provided, that, an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.2(b)(vi) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account balance after all other allocations provided for in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.2(b)(vi) were not in this Agreement. This Section 6.2(b)(vi) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(vii) In the event that any Member has a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Period, such Member shall be allocated items of Company gross income, and gain in the amount of such deficit as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.2(b)(vii) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.2(b)(vi) and this Section 6.2(b)(vii) were not in this Agreement.

(viii) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company properties pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to any Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s Units, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) if such Treasury Regulation Section applies, or to the Member to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

(ix) If any Units held by any holder of such Units are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, to the extent reasonably determined by the Board to be necessary or appropriate, such holder shall be allocated items of loss and deduction in the Fiscal Period of such forfeiture or repurchase in the manner and to the extent required by proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii) (as such proposed Treasury Regulation may be amended or modified, including upon the issuance of temporary or final Treasury Regulations).

(x) Items of income, gain, loss, expense or credit resulting from a Covered Audit Adjustment shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act.

 

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(xi) To the extent the Company recognizes any gain (including any gain recognized as ordinary income under Code Section 1245 and any gain recognized under Code Section 1231) from the disposition of any section 1245 property (as such term is defined for purposes of Code Section 1245), such gain shall be allocated to the Members that were allocated Depreciation with respect to such section 1245 property in an amount that does not exceed the prior Depreciation allocated to such Member with respect to such section 1245 property, provided, however, such allocation shall not be made to the extent it would prevent all remaining allocations to the Members for the Fiscal Period from producing the Capital Account balances described in Section 6.2.

6.3 Income Tax Allocations.

(a) All items of income, gain, loss and deduction for federal income tax purposes shall be allocated in the same manner as the corresponding item is allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.3.

(b) In accordance with the principles of Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including the Treasury Regulations applying the principles of Code Section 704(c) to changes in Book Values), income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to any Company property having a Book Value that differs from such property’s adjusted federal income tax basis shall, solely for federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members in order to account for any such difference (i) in the case of any such difference as of the Effective Date in any property contributed (or deemed contributed) pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, using the “traditional method with curative allocations,” with the curative allocations applied only to sale gain, under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(c), and (ii) in the case of any other such differences, using such method or methods as determined by the Board to be appropriate and in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations.

(c) Any recapture of grants or credits shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with applicable law.

(d) Tax credits of the Company shall be allocated among the Members as provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and 1.704-1(b)(4)(viii).

(e) Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.3 are solely for purposes of federal, state, and local taxes and, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

(f) If, as a result of an exercise of a non-compensatory option to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

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6.4 Other Allocation Rules.

(a) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to an interest in the Company that may have been transferred shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee in accordance with a method selected by the Board and permissible under Code Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

(b) The Members’ proportionate shares of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), shall be allocated to the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Period.

(c) The definition of Capital Account and the maintenance thereof as set forth in Section 5.3, the allocations set forth in Section 6.2, Section 6.3 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6.4 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations. If the Board reasonably determines that the determination of a Member’s Capital Account or the allocations to a Member is not in compliance with the Treasury Regulations, the Board is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments to the extent reasonably necessary to cause such items to be in compliance.

ARTICLE 7

DISPOSITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS;

PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS;

QUALIFIED IPO

7.1 General Restrictions on Dispositions of Membership Interests.

(a) Dispositions of Membership Interests otherwise permitted or required by this Agreement may only be made in compliance with applicable foreign, federal and state securities laws, including the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Act.

(b) Except in connection with a Qualified IPO, for as long as the Company is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, in no event may any Disposition of any Membership Interests by any Member be made if such Disposition is effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market” (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Code Section 7704, if such Disposition would result in the Company having more than one hundred (100) partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), or if such Disposition would otherwise result in the Company being treated as a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Code Section 7704(b) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(c) Dispositions of Membership Interests may only be made in strict compliance with all applicable provisions of this Agreement, and any purported Disposition of Membership Interests that does not comply with all applicable provisions of this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect, and the Company shall not recognize or be bound by any such purported Disposition and shall not give effect to any such purported Disposition on the transfer books of the Company or Capital Accounts of the Members. The Members agree that the restrictions contained in this Article 7 are fair and reasonable and in the best interests of the Company and the Members. Each Member agrees that it will not permit a direct or indirect Disposition of any Membership Interest that is made with the intent to circumvent the provisions of this Article 7.

7.2 Restrictions on Dispositions of Units. A Disposition of Membership Interests may only be made if (i) such Disposition complies with the provisions of Section 7.1 and (ii) such Disposition is:

(a) made with Board Approval, subject to compliance with Section 7.5;

(b) to a Permitted Transferee of the Disposing Member in accordance with Section 7.3;

(c) made in connection with a Drag-Along Transaction in accordance with Section 7.4;

(d) made in connection with the exercise of inclusion rights in a Tag-Along Sale in accordance with Section 7.5;

(e) made in connection with an IPO Conversion in accordance with Section 7.6; or

(f) made in connection with an Exit Event.

7.3 Permitted Dispositions.

(a) Any holder of Units may Dispose of such Units by way of contribution, transfer or gift to a Permitted Transferee of such holder, subject to the applicable provisions of Section 7.1 (but not subject to Section 7.5); provided, however, that (i) such Permitted Transferee shall not be entitled to make any further Dispositions of such Units in reliance upon this Section 7.3(a), except for a Disposition of such acquired Units back to such original holder or to another Permitted Transferee of such original holder or a Person to whom such transfer is permitted under Section 7.2, (ii) such Permitted Transferee must assume all of the obligations of the original holder of the Units under and agree to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and (iii) if a Permitted Transferee that has received Units at any time ceases to be a Permitted Transferee of such original holder, then such transferee shall make a Disposition of such acquired Units back to such original holder or to another Permitted Transferee of such original holder, and if the transferee fails to make such a Disposition within forty-five (45) days of the transferee ceasing to be a Permitted

 

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Transferee of such original holder, then the Company may, at its option, (x) provide such transferee with at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intent to exercise its rights under clause (y) of this Section 7.3(a), and (y) if, within such five (5) Business Day period, such transferee has still not made a Disposition to the original holder or another Permitted Transferee of such original holder, cause such transferee to forfeit such Units to the Company with no consideration being paid to such holder for such Units.

(b) A Member may not make a Disposition of Units to a Permitted Transferee if such Disposition has as a purpose the avoidance of or is otherwise undertaken in contemplation of avoiding the restrictions on Dispositions in this Agreement (it being understood that the purpose of this Section 7.3 is to prohibit the Disposition of Units to a Permitted Transferee followed by a change in the relationship between the transferor and the Permitted Transferee (or a change of Control of such transferor or Permitted Transferee) after the Disposition with the result and effect that the transferor has indirectly made a Disposition of Units by using a Permitted Transferee, which Disposition would not have been directly permitted under this Section 7.3 had such change in such relationship occurred prior to such Disposition).

7.4 Drag-Along Rights; Forced Sale.

(a) If one or more Members holding at least a majority of the outstanding Membership Interests (whether one or more, the “Selling Member”) receives a Third Party Offer for a Drag-Along Transaction that the Selling Member desires to accept, the Selling Member shall send written notice (the “Drag-Along Notice”) of the exercise of its rights pursuant to this Section 7.4 to each other holder of Membership Interests at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction. The Drag-Along Notice shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the Drag-Along Transaction, including (to the extent known or available) (i) the proposed amount and form of consideration and other material terms and conditions offered by the proposed purchaser (the “Drag-Along Purchaser”), (ii) the identity of the Drag-Along Purchaser, (iii) the proposed date and time of the closing of the Drag-Along Transaction, (iv) if applicable, the number of Membership Interests that are required to be sold by such holder of Membership Interests and (v) a copy of the form of definitive agreement proposed to be executed in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction. If the Selling Member consummates the Drag-Along Transaction to which reference is made in the Drag-Along Notice, each holder of Membership Interests shall be bound and obligated, if applicable, to sell that percentage of such holder’s Membership Interests that is equal to the percentage of the Selling Member’s Membership Interests that the Selling Member proposes to sell in such Drag-Along Transaction in accordance with this Section 7.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Company has not consummated a Qualified IPO prior to the fourth (4th) anniversary of the Effective Date, then the Board shall cause the Company to select an investment bank to undertake a marketing of the Company and/or its assets for sale in an auction process. Each Member shall reasonably cooperate with the Board in the marketing process, including providing any information in such Member’s possession as reasonably requested by the Board. In connection therewith, the Board will have the rights,

 

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and be subject to the obligations, of a Selling Member under this Section 7.4 and Section 7.11, mutatis mutandis. Unless otherwise determined by Unanimous Board Approval, upon selection of the winning bidder and negotiation and execution of the requisite documentation, the Board will cause the sale of the Company. Such sale shall qualify as a Drag-Along Transaction. Each Member or the Company, as applicable, will cause a Drag-Along Transaction to be consummated with the winning bidder, which bidder will be deemed a Drag Along Purchaser for purposes of this Section 7.4.

(b) In connection with any Drag-Along Transaction, all holders of Membership Interests entitled to consent thereto shall consent to the Drag-Along Transaction, and if the Drag-Along Transaction is structured as (i) a merger, conversion, Unit exchange or consolidation of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, each holder of Membership Interests entitled to vote thereon shall vote in favor of the Drag-Along Transaction and shall waive and not exercise any appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger, conversion, Unit exchange, consolidation or asset sale, or (ii) a sale of the Membership Interests, each holder of Membership Interests shall agree to sell that percentage of such holder’s Membership Interests that is equal to the percentage of the Selling Member’s Membership Interests that the Selling Member proposes to sell in such Drag-Along Transaction, on the terms and conditions of such Drag-Along Transaction. The holders of Membership Interests shall promptly take all necessary and desirable actions in connection with the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction reasonably requested by the Selling Member, including the execution of such agreements and such instruments and other actions reasonably necessary to (A) provide customary representations, warranties, indemnities, and escrow/holdback arrangements relating to such Drag-Along Transaction (subject to Sections 7.4(c)(iii) and Section 7.4(c)(iv)), in each case, to the extent that each other holder of Membership Interests is similarly obligated except as otherwise provided for herein, and (B) effectuate the allocation and distribution of the aggregate consideration upon the Drag-Along Transaction as set forth in Section 7.4(c). The holders of Membership Interests shall be permitted to sell their Membership Interests pursuant to any Drag-Along Transaction without complying with any other provisions of this Article 7.

(c) The obligations of the holders of Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 7.4 are subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) upon the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction, (A) each holder of Membership Interests shall receive the same proportion of the aggregate consideration from such Drag-Along Transaction that such holder would have received if such aggregate consideration had been distributed by the Company in complete liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences set forth in Section 6.1(c) through Section 6.1(f) and (B) if applicable, any non-cash consideration shall be allocated proportionally between the holders of Membership Interests such that each holder of Membership Interests receives the same ratio of cash consideration to non-cash consideration from any Drag-Along Transaction. If a holder of Membership Interests receives consideration from such Drag-Along Transaction in a manner other than as contemplated by such rights and preferences or in excess of the amount to which such holder is entitled in accordance with such rights and preferences, then such holder shall take such action as is necessary so that such consideration shall be immediately reallocated among and distributed to the holders of Membership Interests in accordance with such rights and preferences;

 

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(ii) the Company shall bear the reasonable, documented costs incurred in connection with any Drag-Along Transaction (provided that costs incurred by or on behalf of any holder of Membership Interests for such holder’s sole benefit will not be considered costs of the Drag-Along Transaction) unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Drag-Along Purchaser, in which case no holder of Membership Interests shall be obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction (excluding modest expenditures for postage, copies, and the like) and no holder of Membership Interests shall be obligated to pay any portion (or, if paid, such holder shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for that portion paid) that is more than its pro rata share (based upon the amount of consideration received by such holder in the Drag-Along Transaction) of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a consummated Drag-Along Transaction for the benefit of all holders of Membership Interests that are not otherwise paid by the Company or another Person as reasonably determined by the Board;

(iii) no holder of Membership Interests shall be required to provide any representations, warranties, covenants or indemnities in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction, other than (A) representations, warranties or indemnities for which the sole recourse is to consideration in escrow or holdback, (B) customary (including with respect to qualifications) several (and not joint) representations, warranties and indemnities concerning (1) such holder’s valid title to and ownership of Membership Interests, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances (excluding those arising under applicable securities laws), (2) such holder’s authority, power and right to enter into and consummate such Drag-Along Transaction, (3) the absence of any violation, default or acceleration of any agreement to which such holder is subject or by which its assets are bound as a result of the Drag-Along Transaction, and (4) the absence of, or compliance with, any governmental or third party consents, approvals, filings or notifications required to be obtained or made by such holder in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction (and then only to the extent that each other holder of Membership Interests provides similar representations, warranties and indemnities with respect to the Membership Interests held by such holder of Membership Interests), and (C) customary confidentiality covenants;

(iv) none of the holders of Membership Interests shall be liable for any individual representation, warranty, covenant or other agreements made by any other holder of Membership Interests;

 

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(v) the aggregate liability of each holder of Membership Interests shall in no event exceed the proceeds received (taking into account any amounts held back or in escrow) by such holder of Membership Interests in connection with such Drag-Along Transaction except in the case of fraud or intentional misrepresentation by such holder, in which event there shall be no limitation on liability;

(vi) consideration placed in escrow or holdback shall be allocated among holders of Membership Interests such that if the Third Party making the offer for the Drag-Along Transaction ultimately is entitled to some or all of such escrow or holdback amounts, then the net ultimate proceeds received by such holders shall still comply with the intent of Section 7.4(c)(i) as if the ultimate resolution of such escrow or holdback had been known at the closing of the Drag-Along Transaction, and the holders of the Membership Interests that received such consideration at the consummation of the Drag-Along Transaction shall, no later than 20 Business Days following the determination that such Third Party is entitled to such escrow or holdback amounts, make such payments to each other as are required to give effect to this Section 7.4(c)(iv); and

(vii) if some or all of the consideration received in connection with the Drag-Along Transaction is other than cash, then such consideration shall be deemed to have a dollar value equal to the Fair Market Value of such consideration as reasonably determined by the Board acting in good faith.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.4, if the consideration proposed to be paid to the holders of Membership Interests in a Drag-Along Transaction includes securities with respect to which no registration statement covering the issuance of securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act, then each of the holders of Membership Interests that is not then an Accredited Investor may be required at the request and election of the holders of Membership Interests that are pursuing a Drag-Along Transaction, to (i) at the cost of the Company, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to such requesting holders or (ii) accept cash in lieu of any securities such non-Accredited Investor would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities as determined in the manner set forth in Section 7.4(c)(vii).

(e) Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.4, the Selling Member will reasonably cooperate with the other Members to keep them apprised of material developments regarding the status of a proposed Drag-Along Transaction that the Selling Member intends to pursue.

(f) In connection with a Drag-Along Transaction, at the request of any Member, the Company and the other Members shall use reasonable efforts to structure such transaction in a manner that results in a disposition of the securities of each Blocker Corporation of the requesting Member, rather than a disposition of the Units owned, directly or indirectly, by such Blocker Corporation, for the avoidance of doubt, in exchange

 

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for consideration that is equivalent to what such Blocker Corporation would have directly or indirectly received for the Units held directly or indirectly by such Blocker Corporation. Each Member shall be permitted to implement any internal restructuring of any affiliated Blocker Corporation so that any Blocker Corporation becomes a direct owner of Membership Interests and to facilitate such Drag-Along Transaction.

7.5 Tag-Along Rights.

(a) If any Member (each, in such capacity, a “Transferor”) desires to Dispose of, in one or a series of related transactions, all or a portion of its outstanding Units to one or more Third Parties (each a “Third-Party Transferees”), such Transferor(s) shall offer to include in such proposed Disposition (the “Tag-Along Sale”) a number of Units owned and designated by any other Member, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.5 shall not be applicable to, and such Transferor(s) may Dispose of Units without complying with any of the provisions of this Section 7.5 in connection with, any Disposition (i) to a Permitted Transferee, (ii) made pursuant to a Drag-Along Transaction, or (iii) made pursuant to an IPO Exchange. Such Transferor(s) shall cause the offer from such Third-Party Transferee(s) (the “Tag-Along Offer”) to be reduced to writing, which writing shall include (x) an offer to purchase or otherwise acquire Units from the other Members as required by this Section 7.5, (y) a time and place designated for the closing of such purchase and (z) the per Unit purchase price to be paid by the Third-Party Transferee(s) for the Units of such Transferor(s) and the Tagging Member in a Tag-Along Sale.

(b) Such Transferor(s) shall send written notice of such Tag-Along Offer (an “Inclusion Notice”) to each of the other Members holding Units. The Inclusion Notice shall describe the terms and conditions set forth in the Tag-Along Offer as well as (i) the aggregate number of Units proposed to be sold by such Transferor(s) and (ii) the percentage such number represents of the total number of outstanding Units then held by such Transferor(s) (the “Requested Transferor Percentage”). Each such Member shall have the right, exercisable by delivery of written notice to such Transferor(s) at any time within 15 days after receipt of the Inclusion Notice, to request to sell in the Tag- Along Sale up to a number of Units equal to the product of (A) the total number of Units held by such Member, multiplied by (B) the Requested Transferor Percentage (each such Member that requests to participate in the Tag-Along Sale, a “Tagging Member”).

(c) Promptly following the completion of the procedures described in Section 7.5(b), such Transferor(s) shall determine whether the Third-Party Transferee(s) is willing to purchase all of the Units requested to be sold by such Transferor(s) and the Tagging Members. If the Third-Party Transferee(s) are not willing to purchase all such Units, then the number of Units such Transferor(s) and each Tagging Member is entitled to sell in the Tag-Along Sale shall be reduced such that each such Member is entitled to sell such Member’s pro rata share of the total number of Units the Third-Party Transferee(s) are willing to acquire based on the aggregate number of Units requested to be sold by such Transferor(s) and the Tagging Members. If the Third-Party Transferee(s)

 

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are unwilling to purchase Units from one or more Tagging Members, then such Transferor(s) shall engage in good faith negotiations with such Tagging Members to purchase the number of Units from such Tagging Members that such Tagging Members would otherwise be entitled to sell to the Third-Party Transferee(s) in the Tag-Along Sale on the same terms as the Tag-Along Sale and to increase the number of Units to be sold by such Transferor(s) in the Tag-Along Sale by such number; provided, that the consummation of such purchase by such Transferor(s) of such Units shall be conditioned on the consummation of the Tag-Along Sale.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.5, if the consideration proposed to be paid by the Third-Party Transferee(s) in a Tag-Along Sale includes securities with respect to which no registration statement covering the issuance of such securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act, then each holder of Units participating in the Tag-Along Sale that is not then an Accredited Investor may be required, at the request and election of such Transferor(s), to (i) at the cost of the Company, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to such Transferor or (ii) agree to accept cash in lieu of any securities such holder would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities, as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith; provided, however, that upon written request the Board shall provide any holder of Membership Interests all information reasonably related to the Board’s determination of Fair Market Value.

(e) At the time (subject to extension to the extent necessary to pursue any required regulatory or equityholder approvals) and place provided for the closing in the Tag-Along Offer, or at such other time and place as such Transferor(s) and the Third-Party Transferee(s) shall agree, the Tagging Members and such Transferor(s) shall sell to the Third-Party Transferee(s) all of the Units subject to the Tag-Along Sale. Each sale of such Units pursuant to this Section 7.5(e) shall be upon terms and conditions, if any, not more favorable individually and in the aggregate to the purchaser than those in the Tag-Along Offer and the Inclusion Notice and upon the consummation of such sale, such Transferor(s) and each Tagging Member, shall receive the consideration attributable to the Units sold by such Member. The receipt of such consideration by such Transferor(s) and each Tagging Member shall be treated as a distribution under Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(b)) for all purposes under this Agreement.

(f) In connection with a Tag-Along Transaction, at the request of any Member, the Company and the other Members shall use reasonable efforts to structure such transaction in a manner that results in a disposition of the securities of each Blocker Corporation of the requesting Member, rather than a disposition of the Units owned, directly or indirectly, by such Blocker Corporation, for the avoidance of doubt, in exchange for consideration that is equivalent to what such Blocker Corporation would have directly or indirectly received for the Units held directly or indirectly by such Blocker Corporation. Each Member shall be permitted to implement any internal restructuring of any affiliated Blocker Corporation so that any Blocker Corporation becomes a direct owner of Membership Interests and to facilitate such Tag-Along Transaction.

 

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7.6 Qualified IPO.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may determine at any time that the Company, an Affiliate of the Company (other than a Member), or any of its Subsidiaries should engage in a Qualified IPO. In connection with any proposed Qualified IPO approved by the Board in accordance with this Agreement, subject to this Section 7.6, the Board shall use commercially reasonable efforts to use the structure commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership C corporation (“Up-C”) structure for Tax purposes under the Code, and will take such other steps as it deems necessary or appropriate to create a new suitable IPO Issuer for the express purpose of such a Qualified IPO.

(b) In connection with any proposed Qualified IPO approved in accordance with this Agreement, subject to Section 7.6(g), the Board shall have the power to cause the Company to effect a conversion of the Company into a corporation or other form of entity or to create a new holding company structure with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries including by way of conversion, merger, recapitalization or asset and liability transfer (the “IPO Conversion”), and in connection therewith to convert, exchange or redeem all or any portion of the outstanding Membership Interests (the “Pre-IPO Subject Securities”) in accordance with this Section 7.6, for shares or other Equity Interests and other rights of the IPO Issuer (and/or IPO Newco) or of equity in an umbrella partnership redeemable or exchangeable for shares or equity of an Up-C IPO Issuer or IPO Newco with substantially equivalent economic, governance, priority and other rights and privileges of such Membership Interests as in effect immediately prior to the IPO Conversion (disregarding the tax treatment of the shares or other Equity Interests, options or rights received (the “Post-IPO Subject Securities”) upon such IPO Conversion. In connection with any such IPO Conversion, the number of Post-IPO Subject Securities to be issued to the Members with respect to the Pre-IPO Subject Securities shall be reasonably determined in good faith by the Board based upon (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company on the date of the IPO Conversion as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith and (ii) the resulting relative values of the Pre-IPO Subject Securities assuming the Company is wound up and dissolved and the net proceeds are distributed to the owners of Pre-IPO Subject Securities in accordance with Section 6.1 of this Agreement. If any such conversion, exchange or redemption is effected, each Member agrees to execute and deliver all agreements, instruments and documents as may be reasonably requested or required by the Board in order to consummate such IPO Conversion. In connection with the IPO Conversion, the Company shall have the power, without the consent or approval of holders of Membership Interests, to cause the holders of the Membership Interests to contribute all of the Membership Interests to the IPO Issuer (or IPO Newco) or of equity in an umbrella partnership redeemable or exchangeable for shares or equity of an Up-C IPO Issuer or IPO Newco in one or a series of transactions (with the amount of Post-IPO Subject Securities to be received by each holder of Membership Interests being determined in accordance with this Section 7.6), and each holder of Membership Interests agrees to execute such agreements, instruments, certificates, filings or papers as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate such a contribution and further grants the Company a power-of-attorney in accordance with Section 13.4(b) to execute or cause to be executed on such holders’ behalf any and all such agreements, instruments, certificates, filings or papers.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time after the approval of a Qualified IPO in accordance with this Agreement, the Board shall be entitled to approve the transaction or transactions to effect the IPO Conversion subject to and in accordance with this Section 7.6 and to take all such other actions as are required or appropriate to facilitate the Qualified IPO, including forming any entities required or necessary in connection with the Qualified IPO without the consent or approval of any other Person (including any Member). Subject to any limitations in this Section 7.6, if the Board determines to effect an IPO Conversion, each of the Members and the Company shall (i) take such actions as may be reasonably requested by the Board in connection with consummating the IPO Conversion, including (x) such actions as are required to transfer all or any portion of the issued and outstanding Membership Interests or the assets of the Company to an IPO Issuer (which may include a Blocker Corporation), (y) such actions as are required in order to merge or consolidate the Company into or with an IPO Issuer, and (z) executing customary lock-up agreements (which such lock-up agreements shall have customary “carveouts” therefrom, including with respect to secondary sales in such Qualified IPO) and taking other actions that are customary for equityholders of a company which is to engage in an initial public offering of its Equity Interests and which are reasonably requested by the managing underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Equity Interests of IPO Issuer (or IPO Newco) in connection with such Qualified IPO (provided, that no Member owning Series A Units shall be required to take any actions not required from the other Members owning Series A Units and no Member shall be locked up for a period or to an extent greater than the lock-up applicable to any director or officer of the IPO Issuer (or IPO Newco)) and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) cooperate with the Company and the other Members in good faith so that the IPO Conversion is undertaken (A) in a tax-efficient manner for the Members and (B) subject to the differences in the classes of Units, in a manner that (1) affords the owners of the same class of Units substantially the same equivalent pro rata treatment with respect to their ownership of such class of Units and (2) is designed as nearly as practicable to substantially maintain the same relative economics and other material terms among Members, and (y) if any Member or its direct or indirect owners has a structure involving ownership of all or a portion of its interests in the Company, directly or indirectly, through one or more single purpose entities (a “Blocker Corporation”), at the request of such Member, merge any of its Blocker Corporations into the IPO Issuer in a tax-free reorganization, utilize a Blocker Corporation as the IPO Issuer or otherwise structure the transaction so that the Blocker Corporation is not subject to a level of corporate tax on the Qualified IPO or subsequent dividend payments or sales of stock (for the avoidance of doubt, in exchange for consideration that is equivalent to what such Blocker Corporation would have directly or indirectly received for the Series A Units held directly or indirectly by such Blocker Corporation). Each Member shall be permitted to implement any internal restructuring of any affiliated Blocker Corporation so that any Blocker Corporation becomes a direct owner of Membership Interests and to facilitate the transaction described in subsection (y) of this Section 7.6(c).

 

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(d) Any fractional Post-IPO Subject Securities shall be rounded to the nearest whole security (with 1/2 of a security being rounded up to one), so that no fractional Post-IPO Subject Securities shall be issuable to any Member in connection with an IPO Conversion.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.6, if no registration statement covering the issuance of the Post-IPO Subject Securities to the Members in the IPO Conversion has been declared effective under the Securities Act, then each of the Members that is not then an Accredited Investor for the purposes of the issuance of the Post-IPO Subject Securities may be required, at the request and election of the Company, to (i) at the cost of the Company, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to the Company or (ii) agree to accept cash in lieu of any Post-IPO Subject Securities such Member would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the fair value of such Post-IPO Subject Securities, as determined by the Board in its reasonable judgment.

(f) In connection with any Qualified IPO and IPO Conversion involving an Up-C structure, the IPO Issuer shall enter into a customary “tax receivable agreement” with each of the Members (a “TRA”) providing for the allocation of Tax benefits in accordance with the tax benefits realized by the IPO Issuer attributable to such Member (or Affiliates or designees thereof) and the exchange or redemption of Units (or equity interests in IPO Newco) held by such Member (or Affiliate or designee thereof). The IPO Issuer may be admitted as a Member of the Company in connection with any Qualified IPO and IPO Conversion involving an Up-C structure such that the Company becomes the umbrella partnership for purposes of the Qualified IPO. If this occurs, the Company and the IPO Issuer shall enter into a TRA with the Members.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect a Qualified IPO (including in connection with an Up-C transaction) through a series of transactions which result in securities of the IPO Issuer and/or a Subsidiary (as an IPO Newco) being held directly by the Company following the Qualified IPO.

(h) If so requested by a Member, the certificate of incorporation (if the IPO Issuer is a corporation) or other organizational documents (if the IPO Issuer is a Person other than a corporation) of the IPO Issuer and, if applicable, its general partner, shall include a provision substantially the same as Section 8.7(b) hereof.

(i) To the extent that any Member requests to sell any of its Membership Interest or Equity Interests in connection with the Qualified IPO, the Board may consider and approve such request in its sole discretion, but if any such sale is approved, all other Members shall be permitted to sell Membership Interests or Equity Interests pro rata along with any other Members based on their ownership of outstanding Series A Units.

 

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(j) In the event of a Qualified IPO, so long as any of (i) Estis Member, Flowco Member and their respective Affiliates (including GEC as of the Effective Date) beneficially own, directly or indirectly (including pro rata through the Company based on their ownership interest in the Company), at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding voting equity resulting from the Qualified IPO, the Estis Member and Flowco Member shall collectively have the right to elect at least two (2) directors (or at least one (1) director if more than ten percent (10%)), and (ii) Flogistix Member and its Affiliates (including White Deer as if the Effective Date) beneficially own, directly or indirectly (including pro rata through the Company based on their ownership interest in the Company), at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting equity resulting from the Qualified IPO, Flogistix Member shall have the right to elect at least one (1) director, (A) the Members and the Company shall cause the governing documents of IPO Issuer (including in a stockholders agreement or certificate of incorporation, as applicable, or required under applicable Law) to provide that each of GEC and White Deer, as applicable, with such minimum board designation rights (based on a maximum board of eight members, including the CEO and four (4) independent directors mutually agreed by GEC and White Deer) in such entity after giving effect to such Qualified IPO, while also providing for any independent directors required under applicable Law, and (B) the Company, the Estis Member, the Flowco Member or the Flogistix Member shall negotiate in good faith the other governance rights (including board committee rights and approval rights over significant matters involving the resulting entity and its business) that would apply following such Qualified IPO that are consistent with rights and entitlements that are afforded to substantial shareholders in similar transactions and that is otherwise reflective of their respective proportionate ownership in such entity at the time such transaction is consummated.

7.7 Preemptive Rights.

(a) New Securities.

(i) Prior to the Company issuing, other than in an Excluded Issuance, (x) any Membership Interests or Equity Interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or (y) options or other rights to acquire Membership Interests or Equity Interests in any Subsidiary of the Company, whether through exchange, conversion or otherwise, (collectively, the “New Securities”) to a proposed purchaser (the “Proposed Purchaser”), each Eligible Purchaser shall have the right to purchase the number of New Securities as provided in this Section 7.7. “Excluded Issuance” means the issuance of (i) options to purchase Membership Interests or other securities pursuant to incentive equity plans approved by the Board, (ii) Membership Interests issued to any Person that is not a Member or an Affiliate thereof as consideration in any acquisition or other strategic transaction approved in accordance with this Agreement, (iii) Membership Interests issued to the holders of the then outstanding Membership Interests in proportion to their ownership thereof in connection with any split, distribution or recapitalization of the Company, (iv) any Equity Interests issued by the Company in connection with an underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act (or other applicable foreign securities laws governing such issuance) and approved in accordance with this Agreement, or (v) Post-IPO Subject Securities in connection with an IPO Conversion pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(ii) Subject to Section 7.7(b), the Company shall give each Eligible Purchaser at least 15 days’ prior notice (the “New Issue Notice”) of any proposed issuance of New Securities, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the proposed terms and conditions of such issuance and shall offer to each Eligible Purchaser the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Share (which Pro Rata Share shall be calculated as of the date of such notice) of the New Securities at the same price, on the same terms and conditions and at the same time as the New Securities are proposed to be issued by the Company or its Subsidiary. If any Eligible Purchaser wishes to exercise its preemptive rights, it must do so by delivering an irrevocable written notice to the Company within 15 days after delivery by the Company of the New Issue Notice (the “New Issue Election Period”), which notice shall state the dollar amount of New Securities such Eligible Purchaser (each a “Requesting Purchaser”) would like to purchase up to a maximum amount equal to such Eligible Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the total offering amount plus the additional dollar amount of New Securities such Requesting Purchaser would like to purchase in excess of its Pro Rata Share (the “Over-Allotment Amount”), if any, if other Eligible Purchasers do not elect to purchase their full Pro Rata Share of the New Securities. The rights of each Requesting Purchaser to purchase a dollar amount of New Securities in excess of each such Requesting Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the New Securities shall be based on the relative Pro Rata Shares of those Requesting Purchasers desiring Over-Allotment Amounts.

(iii) If not all of the New Securities are subscribed for by the Eligible Purchasers, the Company shall have the right, but shall not be required, to issue and sell the unsubscribed portion of the New Securities to the Proposed Purchaser at any time during the 90 days following the termination of the Election Period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the New Issue Notice; provided, such 90 day period may be extended as reasonably necessary to obtain any regulatory consents. The Board may, in its discretion, impose such other reasonable and customary terms and procedures such as setting a closing date, rounding the number of Units covered by this Section 7.7 to the nearest whole Unit and requiring customary closing deliveries in connection with any preemptive rights offering. In the event any Eligible Purchaser refuses to purchase offered Membership Interests for which it subscribed pursuant to the exercise of preemptive rights granted thereto under this Section 7.7, in addition to any other rights the Company may be permitted to enforce at law or in equity, such Eligible Purchaser and any Permitted Transferee of such Eligible Purchaser shall not be considered an Eligible Purchaser for any future rights granted under this Section 7.7 unless the Board expressly designates such Person as an Eligible Purchaser (which the Board, in its sole discretion, may do on an offer-by-offer basis or not at all).

 

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(b) Advances by Members.

(i) Prior to the Company accepting a Member Advance from any Member (an “Advancing Member”) pursuant to Section 5.4, the Company must offer each other Member the opportunity to participate in the Member Advance on a pro rata basis.

(ii) The Company shall give each Member at least ten (10) days prior notice of its request for a Member Advance (a “Member Advance Notice”), which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the aggregate amount of funds requested and the purpose for which the funds are requested, and the Member Advance Notice shall offer to each Member the opportunity to advance to the Company its Pro Rata Share (which Pro Rata Share shall be calculated as of the date of such notice) of the amount set forth in the Member Advance Notice. If a Member wishes to participate in the Member Advance, then such Member must deliver a written notice to the Company within five (5) days after delivery by the Company of the Member Advance Notice (the “Member Advance Election Period”), which notice shall state the dollar amount such Member (each a “Participating Member”) would like to fund up to a maximum amount equal to such Member’s Pro Rata Share of the total amount requested by the Company plus the additional dollar amount such Participating Member would like to fund in excess of its Pro Rata Share (the “Excess Funding Amount”), if any, if other Members do not elect to fund their full Pro Rata Share of the Member Advance. The rights of each Participating Member to fund a Member Advance in excess of each such Participating Member’s Pro Rata Share of the New Securities shall be based on the relative Pro Rata Shares of those Participating Members desiring Excess Funding Amounts.

7.8 Registration Rights. Upon a Qualified IPO, the Members will have (or the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any IPO Issuer, if not the Company, to provide) substantially the registration rights set forth in Exhibit C.

7.9 Specific Performance. Each Member acknowledges that it shall be inadequate or impossible, or both, to measure in money the damage to the Company or the Members, if any of them or any transferee or any legal representative of any party hereto fails to comply with any of the restrictions or obligations imposed by this Article 7, that every such restriction and obligation is material, and that in the event of any such failure, the Company or the Members shall not have an adequate remedy at law or in damages. Therefore, each Member consents to the issuance of an injunction or the enforcement of other equitable remedies against such Member at the suit of an aggrieved party without the posting of any bond or other security, to compel specific performance of all of the terms of this Article 7 and to prevent any Disposition of Membership Interests in contravention of any terms of this Article 7, and waives any defenses thereto, including the defenses of: (a) failure of consideration; (b) breach of any other provision of this Agreement; and (c) availability of relief in damages.

 

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7.10 Termination Following IPO Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 7, the provisions of this Article 7 (other than Section 7.1, Section 7.2, Section 7.3, Section 7.8, Section 7.9, and Section 7.11(b)) shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the consummation of an IPO Conversion.

7.11 Certain Company Actions.

(a) The Selling Member (in connection with a proposed Drag-Along Transaction) or any Transferor (in connection with a proposed Tag-Along Sale) shall each have the right in connection with such a prospective transaction (or in connection with the investigation or consideration of any such prospective transaction) to require the Company to cooperate fully with potential acquirers in such prospective transaction by taking all customary and other actions reasonably requested by such holders or such potential acquirers, including making the Company’s properties, books and records, and other assets reasonably available for inspection by such potential acquirers, establishing a physical or electronic data room including materials customarily made available to potential acquirers in connection with such processes and making its employees reasonably available for presentations, interviews and other diligence activities, in each case, subject to reasonable and customary confidentiality provisions. In addition, a Member holding at least a majority of the outstanding Membership Interests shall be entitled to take all steps reasonably necessary to carry out an auction of the Company, including selecting an investment bank, providing confidential information (pursuant to confidentiality agreements), selecting the winning bidder and negotiating the requisite documentation. The Company shall provide assistance with respect to these actions as reasonably requested.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time after the six-months (6) anniversary of (i) the date of delivery of the Inclusion Notice with respect to each proposed Tag-Along Sale pursuant to Section 7.5 or (ii) the date of the delivery of the New Issue Notice with respect to each proposed issuance of New Securities pursuant to Section 7.7, the Board shall be entitled to waive, on behalf of (x) with respect to clause (i) above, each Eligible Seller, each former Eligible Seller and each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns and the members, partners, stockholders, directors, managers, officers, liquidators and employees of each of the foregoing (collectively the “Eligible Seller Persons”) any and all claims such Eligible Sellers Persons have, had or may have or had with respect to any non-compliance or violation of Section 7.5 by any Person with respect to such Tag-Along Sale (whether or not any Units were Disposed of pursuant to Section 7.5 and (y) with respect to clause (ii) above, each Eligible Purchaser, each former Eligible Purchaser and each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns and the members, partners, stockholders, directors, managers, officers, liquidators and employees of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Eligible Purchaser Persons”) any and all claims such Eligible Purchaser Persons have, had or may have or had with respect to any non-compliance or violation of Section 7.7 by any Person with respect to such proposed issuance of New Securities (whether or not any Membership Interests were issued or sold pursuant to Section 7.7), other than, in each case, any such claim that has been made in writing and delivered to the Company prior to the expiration of such six-month (6) anniversary.

 

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ARTICLE 8

MANAGEMENT

8.1 Management Under Direction of the Board. Subject to the consent rights expressly provided for in Section 8.6, and such other matters set forth in this Agreement that expressly require the action, approval, consent or vote of the Members, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed and controlled by a board of managers (the “Board,” and each member of the Board, a “Manager”), and the Board shall have full and complete discretion to manage and conduct the business and affairs of the Company, to make all decisions affecting the business and affairs of the Company and to take all such actions as it deems necessary, advisable or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 2.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Manager in his or her individual capacity shall have the authority to manage the Company or approve matters relating to, or otherwise to bind the Company, such powers being reserved to the Managers acting pursuant to Section 8.2(e) through the Board and to such agents of the Company as designated by the Board.

8.2 Board of Managers.

(a) Composition; Initial Managers. The Board shall consist of up to four Managers, designated as follows:

(i) two designees of the Estis Member (each designee of the Estis Member, a “Estis Manager”);

(ii) one designee of the Flowco Member (such designee of the Flowco Member, the “Flowco Manager”); and

(iii) one designee of the Flogistix Member (such designee of the Flogistix Member, the “Flogistix Manager”).

Subject to the terms of this Section 8.2(a), each Member shall be entitled to assign its right to designate one or more Managers, to any Person in connection with the Disposition by such Member to such Person of all or any portion of the Units held by such Member. Each Manager shall serve in such capacity until such Manager’s successor has been elected and qualified or until such individual’s death, resignation or removal. As of the Effective Date, the Board shall consist of the individuals listed on Schedule II. The members of the Board shall be “managers” within the meaning of the Act. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.2(a) to the contrary, if, at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, the Flogistix Member holds more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Series A Units, then, for so long as the Flogistix Member holds more than 50% of the outstanding Series A Units, (x) the Flogistix Member shall be entitled to designate two Managers to the Board and

 

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(y) the Estis Member and the Flowco Member shall each be entitled to designate one Manager to the Board.

(b) Removal. Any Manager may be removed with or without cause only by consent of the Members entitled to designate such Manager. The removal of a Manager who is also a Member will not affect the Manager’s rights as a Member and will not constitute the Resignation of such Member.

(c) Resignations. A Manager may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Company. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

(d) Vacancies.

(i) In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of any Estis Manager, such vacancy shall be filled as provided under Section 8.2(a)(i).

(ii) In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a Flowco Manager, such vacancy shall be filled as provided under Section 8.2(a)(ii).

(iii) In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a Flogistix Manager, such vacancy shall be filled as provided under Section 8.2(a)(iii).

A Member or group of Members entitled to designate a Manager may do so at any time by written notice to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, any vacancy or any failure to fill any vacancy on the Board shall not affect any quorum requirements or the ability of the Board to take any action if such actions is approved by the number of votes required under this Agreement with respect to such action.

(e) Votes per Manager; Quorum; Required Vote for Board Action. Each Manager shall have one vote; provided, however, that any Manager shall be entitled to cast more than one vote under the following circumstances: (i) if any of the Managers designated by the same Member are not present at such meeting, then the Manager or Managers designated by such Member present at such meeting shall be given an aggregate number of additional votes equal to the number of such Managers absent (and such absent Manager or Managers shall be deemed to have given a proxy to vote at such meeting to any other such Manager who is present at such meeting and is designated by the same Member) or (ii) if there are any vacancies in the Managers, then the Manager or Managers shall be given an aggregate number of additional votes equal to the number of vacancies of the Managers designated by the same Member (for example, if the Estis Member is

 

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entitled to designate two Managers pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i), and the Estis Member has only designated one of its two Managers, then that one Estis Manager may cast a total of two votes on matters presented to the Board). Unless otherwise required by this Agreement, the presence (in person, by teleconference or represented by proxy) of the number of Managers having a majority of the votes then entitled to be cast at a meeting of the Board, including the Flogistix Manager and Flowco Member, shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board, and if a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Managers present may adjourn the meeting; provided that notice of the adjournment and the time and place of the rescheduled meeting (which shall be at least seventy-two (72) hours after the adjournment of such immediately preceding meeting) shall be given to all of the Managers not then in attendance. If there is less than a quorum at any meeting of the Board rescheduled in good faith in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, then the presence (in person, by teleconference or represented by proxy) of the number of Managers having a majority of the votes then entitled to be cast at a meeting of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Certain actions by the Board shall require (A) the vote or consent of at least a majority of the votes cast on such matter (“Board Approval”) or (B) the vote or consent of all votes entitled to be cast on such matter (“Unanimous Board Approval”).

(f) Place of Meetings; Order of Business. The Board may hold its meetings and may have an office and keep the books of the Company, except as otherwise provided by Law, in such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine by resolution. At all meetings of the Board, business shall be transacted in such order as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.

(g) Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on at least a quarterly basis at such times and places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. Notice of such regular meetings shall not be required if held at the times and places set forth in the relevant resolution and such resolution has been provided to each Manager.

(h) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by any Manager on at least 72 hours’ (or, in the case of a special meeting that follows a duly called meeting at which a quorum was not present, at least 24 hours’) personal, written, telegraphic, cable, wireless or electronic notice to each Manager, which notice must include appropriate dial-in information to permit each Manager to participate in such meeting by means of telephone conference, video conference or similar means. Such notice need not state the purpose or purposes of such meeting, except as may otherwise be required by Law.

(i) Compensation; Reimbursement. No Manager may receive any compensation for serving on the Board. All of the Managers shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with carrying out such Managers duties as a member of the Board, including reimbursement for ordinary commercial (but not private) air travel.

 

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(j) Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board or any Committee may be taken without a meeting and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all of the Managers then on the Board or such Committee, as applicable. To be effective any document that is intended to evidence the written consent of the Board or of any Committee must expressly state that it is a written consent of the Board or of such Committee, as applicable, and must expressly reference this Section 8.2(j).

(k) Telephonic Conference Meeting. Subject to the requirement for notice of meetings, Managers may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a Manager participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(l) Waiver of Notice Through Attendance. Attendance of a Manager at any meeting of the Board (including by telephone) shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such Manager attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and notifies the other Managers at such meeting of such purpose.

(m) Reliance on Books, Reports and Records. Each Manager shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to the Company by any of its Officers or by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Board, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the Company.

(n) Subsidiaries. Each Member shall have the right to designate at least one director (or equivalent) of any Subsidiary of the Company and any actions by the board (or equivalent) of any Subsidiary of the Company shall require a majority of the votes cast on such matter; provided, that the governing agreements of any Subsidiary shall preserve and not conflict with the consent rights set forth in this Agreement.

8.3 Board Observer. The Flowco Member shall be entitled to appoint one (1) Person to attend and observe meetings of the Board in a non-voting capacity (each in such capacity, a “Board Observer”), who shall initially be Stuart Harlow. In addition, the Board shall be entitled to appoint One (1) Board Observer, which Board Observer position shall initially be vacant. Each Board Observer shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Board and to receive all information provided to the Managers (including minutes of previous meetings of the Board); provided, that (i) a Board Observer shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the Board nor to offer any motions or resolutions to the Board and (ii) a Board Observer shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement on terms satisfactory to the Company prior to the exercise of the rights contained in this Section 8.3.

 

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8.4 Officers.

(a) Generally. The Company may have such officers (the “Officers”) as the Board in its discretion may appoint, and such Officers shall have the power, authority and duties described by resolution of the Board. The Board may remove any Officer with or without cause at any time; provided, however, that such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the Officer so removed. Election or appointment of an Officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any such Officers may, subject to the general direction of the Board, have responsibility for the management of the normal and customary day-to-day operations of the Company, and act as “agents” of the Company in carrying out such activities. Officers shall be compensated on such terms as are determined by the Board. Any Officer may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Board. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless expressly so provided in the resignation. In the event an Officer is removed from his or her position in accordance with this Section 8.4(a) or dies, becomes disable, or resigns, a replacement for such person may only be appointed by the Board.

(b) Initial Officers. As of the Effective Date, the Officers of the Company shall consist of the individuals listed on Schedule III, with such powers, authority and duties as specified from time to time by the Board. Any Persons serving as Officers prior to the Effective Date are hereby removed from office as of the Effective Date.

8.5 Members. Except for the rights to consent to or approve certain matters as expressly provided in Section 8.6 or for matters that otherwise require Majority Approval hereunder, the Members in their capacity as Members shall not have any power or authority to manage the business or affairs of the Company or to bind the Company or enter into agreements on behalf of the Company. Any matter requiring the consent or approval of any of the Members pursuant to this Agreement may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, by a consent in writing, setting forth such consent or approval, and signed by the holders of not less than the number of outstanding Units necessary to consent to or approve such action. Prompt notice of such consent or approval shall be given by the Company to those Members who have not joined in such consent or approval.

8.6 Certain Decisions Requiring Unanimous Board Approval.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following actions by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall require Unanimous Board Approval in accordance with Section 8.2(e):

 

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(i) except in the case of additional Series A Units issued at Fair Market Value (as reasonably determined by the Board acting in good faith), issuing, selling or granting, or agreeing to issue, sell or grant, any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any security convertible into or exchangeable for, any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any profits interest or phantom security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(ii) entering into, terminating (other than termination due to expiration in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement), materially amending, materially modifying or waiving any material rights under, any Affiliate Contract (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any issuance of Equity Interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Member Advance), other than entry into any Affiliate Contracts that are Transaction Documents;

(iii) incurring, in one or more transactions (whether or not related) indebtedness for borrowed money, that would, after giving pro forma affect to such incurrence, cause the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the total consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its Subsidiaries to exceed (i) consolidated “EBITDA” for the prior quarterly period, multiplied by (ii) four (4) (determined as of the most recent quarter for which financial statements are available) multiplied by (iii) four and one-half (4.5);

(iv) at any time prior to the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date, entering into any Drag-Along Transaction that does not result in the receipt of gross aggregate consideration to the Members of at least $1,630,000,000;

(v) engaging in any underwritten public offering other than a Qualified IPO that results in securities of the IPO Issuer and/or a Subsidiary (as an IPO Newco) being held by each Sponsor Member;

(vi) amending or otherwise modifying the Certificate or this Agreement;

(vii) increasing the size of the Board or otherwise changing the composition of the Board;

(viii) making any distributions on a non-pro rata basis, except for any distributions pursuant to Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(d);

(ix) making any redemption or repurchase of Units on a non-pro rata basis;

(x) effecting or permitting any voluntary change in the tax classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(xi) entering into any agreement or otherwise committing to do any of the foregoing.

 

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(b) The Members acknowledge and agree that Section 3.02(c) of the Contribution Agreement sets forth certain rights of the Members with respect to control of the Company in the exercise of its rights and discharge of its obligations under the Contribution Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.6, in the event of an emergency outside of the reasonable control of the Officers, the Officers shall be authorized to incur such amounts as shall be reasonably necessary to maintain the assets and business of the Company or the health and safety of individuals during such emergency; provided, that the Officers give prompt written notice to the Board of the occurrence of the emergency and the amount of expenditures related to the emergency.

8.7 Acknowledgement Regarding Outside Businesses and Opportunities.

(a) Subject in all respects to Section 10.4, each of the Company and the Members acknowledges and agrees that each Member and its Affiliates (x) may have made, prior to the Effective Date, and may make, on and after the Effective Date, investments (by way of Capital Contributions, loans or otherwise) in and (y) may have engaged, prior to the Effective Date, and may engage, on and after the Effective Date, in other transactions with and with respect to, in each case, Persons engaged in businesses that directly or indirectly compete with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as conducted from time to time or as expected to be conducted from time to time (including maintaining seats on the board of directors or similar governing bodies of such businesses) (“Other Businesses”). The Company and the Members agree that, subject only to Section 10.4 and the limitations provided in Section 8.7(b), (i) any involvement, engagement or participation of a Member or its Affiliates (including any Manager who is affiliated with the Member) in any Other Business, even if competitive with the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper or to violate any duty express or implied under applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, subject only to Section 10.4 and the limitations provided in Section 8.7(b), none of the Members or their respective Affiliates shall be deemed to violate this Section 8.7 if such Member or any of its Affiliates shall invest in a fund or other entity, whether or not such Member or such Affiliate Controls such fund or entity, which makes an investment that directly or indirectly competes with the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(b) The Company and each Member hereby renounce any interest, expectancy, co-participation rights or other rights in or to any business opportunity, transaction or other matter in which any Member or their respective Affiliates participates or desires or seeks to participate (each, a “Business Opportunity”) including Business Opportunities that are within the purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 2.4. None of the Members or any of their respective Affiliates, including any Manager, shall have any obligation to communicate or offer any Business Opportunity to the Company, and the Members and any of their respective Affiliates may pursue for itself or direct, sell, assign or transfer to a Person other than the Company any Business Opportunity; provided, however, that (i) the foregoing waiver shall not apply to any Business Opportunity that is presented to a Manager in its capacity as a Manager, or any Business Opportunity that such Manager becomes aware of in its capacity as a Manager solely through disclosure of information by or on behalf of the Company, and (ii) each Business Opportunity and the information related thereto shall be subject in all respects to Section 10.4 of this Agreement.

 

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(c) Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees that any claims, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against a Member, any Covered Person or any of their respective Affiliates for or in connection with any Other Business, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of Law, statute, constitution, contract (including this Agreement and each other Transaction Document) or otherwise, are expressly released and waived by the Company and each Member, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

(d) Subject only to Section 10.4 and the limitations provided in Section 8.7(b), each of the Company and the Members acknowledges and agrees that the Members and their respective Affiliates (including the Managers) have obtained, prior to the Effective Date, and are expected to obtain, on and after the Effective Date, confidential information from other companies in connection with Other Businesses. Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees, subject only to Section 10.4 and the limitations provided in Section 8.7(b), that (i) none of the Members or any of their respective Affiliates (including the Managers) has any obligation to use any such confidential information in connection with the business, operations, management or other activities of the Company or its subsidiaries or to furnish to the Company or its subsidiaries or any Member any such confidential information, and (ii) any claims, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against any Member, any Covered Person or any of their respective Affiliates (including the Managers) for or in connection with any such failure to use or to furnish such confidential information, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statute, constitution, contract (including this Agreement or any other Transaction Document) or otherwise, are expressly released and waived by the Company and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

8.8 Amendment, Modification or Repeal. Any amendment, modification or repeal of Section 8.5 or Section 8.7, or any provision thereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the applicable Members or any of their respective Affiliates under such provisions as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

ARTICLE 9

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 Duties of Members and Managers; Limitation of Member and Manager Liability; Member and Manager Indemnification.

(a) No Member, in its capacity as a Member, shall have any fiduciary or other duty to the Company, any other Member, any Manager or any other Person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement other than, to the extent required by Law, the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

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(b) No Manager, in his capacity as a Manager, shall have any fiduciary or other duty to the Company, any Member (other than, with respect to any particular Manager, the Member designating such Manager), any other Manager or any other Person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, other than, to the extent required by Law, the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The Company shall purchase customary D&O insurance for the Managers.

(c) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, whenever a Member, in its capacity as a Member, or a Manager, in his capacity as a Manager, is permitted or required to make, grant or take a determination, decision, consent, vote, judgment or action or omit to take or make any of the foregoing (whether or not such determination, decision, consent, vote, judgment or action is stated to be at such Member’s or Manager’s “discretion,” “sole discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude), such Member or Manager shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors, including its, his or her own, as he, she or it desires, and, in the case of any Manager appointed to the Board by a Member, such interests and factors as such Member desires, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any other interest or factors whatsoever. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, no M&M Covered Person shall, in the capacity as an M&M Covered Person, shall be liable to the Company or to any other Member for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission (in relation to the Company, any transaction, any investment or any business decision or action, including for breach of duties including fiduciary duties) taken or omitted by such M&M Covered Person in its capacity as an M&M Covered Person, unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such act or omission, and taking into account the acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Agreement, such M&M Covered Person engaged in a bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees that any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against any M&M Covered Person for or in connection with any such act or omission, are in each case expressly released and waived by the Company and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and any related agreement, and the incurrence by the Members of the obligations provided in such agreements.

(d) Each M&M Covered Person, in its capacity as an M&M Covered Person, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company (but only to the extent of the Company’s assets), to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, from and against any and all loss, liability and expense (including taxes; penalties; judgments; fines; amounts paid or to be paid in settlement; costs of investigation and preparations; and fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, whether or not the dispute or proceeding involves

 

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the Company or any Manager, Officer or Member) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such M&M Covered Person in connection with the activities of the Company, provided that any such M&M Covered Person shall not be so indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which such M&M Covered Person is seeking indemnification or seeking to be held harmless hereunder, and taking into account the acknowledgments and agreements set forth in this Agreement, such M&M Covered Person engaged in a bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. An M&M Covered Person shall not be denied indemnification, in whole or in part, under this Section 9.1(d) because such M&M Covered Person had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any M&M Covered Person acting for, on behalf of or in relation to, the Company in respect of any transaction, investment, business decision or action, or otherwise, shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of the Transaction Documents and on the advice of counsel, accountants and other professionals that are provided to the Company or such M&M Covered Person, and such M&M Covered Person shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for such M&M Covered Person’s reliance on any Transaction Document or such advice. Each M&M Covered Person, in its capacity as an M&M Covered Person, may rely, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, paper, document, signature or writing reasonably believed by it to be genuine, and may rely on a certificate signed by an officer, agent or representative of any Person in order to ascertain any fact with respect to such Person or within such Person’s knowledge, in each case, unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such reliance, action or inaction, such M&M Covered Person acted in bad faith.

(f) The Company and each of the Members hereby acknowledges that certain of the Covered Persons (the “Indemnitees”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided by a Member or certain of its Affiliates (collectively, the “Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees, and the Members hereby acknowledge, that: (i) to the extent legally permitted and to the extent indemnification is required by the terms of this Agreement or the Certificate (or by the terms of any other agreement between the Company and an Indemnitee), (A) the Company is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to each Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by any Indemnitee are secondary) and (B) the Company shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by a Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, without regard to any rights that a Indemnitee may have against the Indemnitors and (ii) the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Indemnitors from any and all claims for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of any of the matters described in clause (i) of this sentence for which any Indemnitee has

 

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received indemnification or advancement from the Company. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Indemnitors on behalf of any Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which an Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and that the Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and each Member agree that the Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 9.1(f).

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9.1, or as may otherwise be agreed by the Company, an M&M Covered Person shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.1 with respect to any proceeding initiated by such M&M Covered Person or any proceeding under the Contribution Agreement (other than a proceeding by such M&M Covered Person (i) to enforce its rights under this Agreement or (ii) to enforce any other of its rights to indemnification, advancement or contribution from the Company under any other contract or under statute or other Law), including any counterclaims defended by such M&M Covered Person in connection with such proceeding, unless the initiation of such proceeding or making of such claim shall have been approved by the Board.

9.2 Duties of Officers; Indemnification of Officers.

(a) Subject to Section 8.7, each Officer (in such individual’s capacity as an Officer) shall have the same fiduciary duties that an officer of the Company would have if the Company were a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and the Company and its Members shall have the same rights and remedies in respect of such duties as if the Company were a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware and the Members were its stockholders.

(b) Each Management Covered Person, in his or her capacity as a Management Covered Person, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company (but only to the extent of the Company’s assets), as if the Company were a corporation organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware and to the fullest extent permitted under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as in effect on the Effective Date (but including any expansion of rights to indemnification thereunder from and after the Effective Date), from and against any and all loss, liability and expense (including taxes; penalties; judgments; fines; amounts paid or to be paid in settlement; costs of investigation and preparations suffered by any such Management Covered Person; and fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, whether or not the dispute or proceeding involves the Company or any Manager, Officer or Member) incurred or suffered by any such Management Covered Person in connection with the activities of the Company. A Management Covered Person shall not be denied indemnification, in whole or in part, under this Section 9.2 because such Management Covered Person had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(c) Any Management Covered Person acting for, on behalf of or in relation to, the Company in respect of any transaction, any investment, business decision or action, or otherwise, shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of the Transaction Documents and on the advice of counsel, accountants and other professionals that are provided to the Company or such Management Covered Person, and such Management Covered Person shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for such Management Covered Person’s reliance on any Transaction Document or such advice. Each Management Covered Person, in his or her capacity as a Management Covered Person, may rely, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, paper, document, signature or writing reasonably believed by such Management Covered Person to be genuine, and may rely on a certificate signed by an officer, agent or representative of any Person in order to ascertain any fact with respect to such Person or within such Person’s knowledge, in each case, unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of such reliance, action or inaction, such Management Covered Person acted in bad faith, engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such Management Covered Person’s conduct was unlawful.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9.2, or as may otherwise be agreed by the Company, a Management Covered Person shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.2 with respect to any proceeding initiated by such Management Covered Person or any proceeding under the Contribution Agreement (other than a proceeding by such Management Covered Person (i) to enforce its rights under this Agreement or (ii) to enforce any other of its rights to indemnification, advancement or contribution from the Company under any other contract or under statute or other Law), including any counterclaims defended by such Management Covered Person in connection with such proceeding, unless the initiation of such proceeding or making of such claim shall have been approved by the Board.

9.3 Advance of Expenses. Reasonable, documented expenses incurred by a Covered Person for which such Covered Person could reasonably be expected to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that any such advance shall only be made if the Covered Person delivers a written affirmation by such Covered Person of its good faith belief that it is entitled to indemnification hereunder and its agreement to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder.

9.4 Procedure for Indemnification. Any indemnification or advance of expenses under this Article 9 shall be made only against a written request therefor submitted by or on behalf of the Person seeking indemnification or advance. All expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Person in connection with successfully establishing such Person’s right to indemnification or advance of expenses under this Article 9, in whole or in part, shall also be indemnified by the Company.

 

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9.5 Multiple Rights to Indemnification. If any Person is both an M&M Covered Person and a Management Covered Person with respect to any loss, liability or expense (including taxes; penalties; judgments; fines; amounts paid or to be paid in settlement; costs of investigation and preparations suffered by any such Person; and fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys, whether or not the dispute or proceeding involves the Company or any Manager or Member), such Person shall be entitled to be indemnified for such loss, liability or expense to the fullest extent that either an M&M Covered Person or a Management Covered Person is entitled to indemnification for such matters under this Agreement. However, for the avoidance of doubt, an Officer who is also an M&M Covered Person as a result of his or her status as a Member, Manager or member of another class of Persons who are M&M Covered Persons shall not be entitled to be indemnified or released from liability as an M&M Covered Person under Section 9.1 for any action taken or omitted to be taken in such Person’s capacity as an Officer or for any other matter relating to such Person’s status as an Officer.

9.6 Company Obligations; Indemnification Rights.

(a) The obligations of the Company to the Covered Persons provided in this Agreement or arising under Law are solely the obligations of the Company, and no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any Covered Person or any Member for such obligations, to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Where the foregoing provides that no personal liability shall attach to or be incurred by a Covered Person, any claims against or recourse to such Covered Person for or in connection with such liability, whether arising in common law or equity or created by rule of law, statute, constitution, contract or otherwise, are expressly released and waived under this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Agreement and any related agreement, and the incurring by the Company of the obligations provided in such agreements.

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article 9 shall be deemed to be separate contract rights between the Company and each Covered Person who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions are in effect, and no repeal or modification of any of these provisions shall adversely affect any right or obligation of such Covered Person existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based, in whole or in part, upon any such state of facts.

(c) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article 9 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification or advancement of expenses to which a Covered Person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled.

 

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(d) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article 9 to any Covered Person shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Covered Person.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Article 9 shall limit or waive any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse the Company, any Member or any other Person may have against any Member, Manager or Officer for a breach of contract claim relating to any binding agreement.

9.7 Insurance. The Company shall maintain insurance (including directors’ and officers’ insurance), at its expense, to protect each Manager and Officer of the Company, and the Company shall maintain such insurance to protect itself and any Covered Person or other Member of the Company, in each case, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such expense, liability or loss under the Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 9, the Company shall use any proceeds from any such insurance to satisfy any and all loss, liability and expense incurred by a Covered Person prior to the indemnification of such Covered Person pursuant this Article 9.

9.8 Release of Members. Each Member acknowledges that it is not relying upon any other Member or any of such other Member’s Affiliates, or any of such other Member’s or such other Member’s Affiliates’ respective stockholders, partners, members, directors, officers, managers, liquidators or employees, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company or in monitoring such investment, and each Member hereby agrees that any claims against, actions, rights to sue, other remedies or other recourse to or against any other Member and such other Member’s Affiliates and any of such other Member’s or such other Member’s Affiliates’ respective stockholders, partners, members, directors, officers, managers, liquidators and employees (collectively, the “Released Persons”) for or in connection with such investment are expressly released and waived by each Member, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9.8 shall be deemed to (a) limit or waive any rights or obligations that any Person has under the terms of the Transaction Documents or (b) apply to any proceeding or dispute with respect to a Person’s employment relationship with the Company or its Affiliates. For purposes of this Section 9.8, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to not be an Affiliate of any Released Person.

ARTICLE 10

CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND MEMBERS

10.1 Financial Reports and Access to Information.

(a) Each Member shall be entitled to receive from the Company within 30 days after the end of each month, a monthly management report that includes a detailed income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement and commentary on the financial condition and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the most recent period ended for which information is available.

 

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(b) Each Member shall be entitled to receive the following information from the Company:

(i) At least 30 days prior to the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual capital and operating budget for the coming year;

(ii) Using the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts, prior to each scheduled quarterly meeting of the Board, the books of the Board containing a description of the business activities that occurred during the quarter, a plan for the upcoming quarter, a discussion of any material issues or events that occurred during the quarter, an analysis of operational and financial performance in comparison to the applicable budget, and any other analyses as may be requested by the Board;

(iii) Promptly after the Board becomes aware of the occurrence of (A) any event that has had a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition, and (B) any material breach or default under a material agreement, notice of such event, breach or default together with a summary describing the nature of the event, breach or default and its impact on the Company;

(iv) Promptly after the Board becomes aware of the occurrence of (A) any incident or emergency that could cause, or has caused: injury; loss of life; damage to property; or pollution or damage to the environment, each report or notice relating to such incident or emergency and (B) any litigation, investigation, proceeding and/or governmental or regulatory action with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, notice of such event; and

(v) Such other information as such Member or its advisors may reasonably request.

(c) The Company shall deliver to each Member, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an audited, consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year, a consolidated income statement, a statement of the Capital Accounts of the Members and the Fair Market Value of the Company, as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith, and statement of cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and a signed audit letter from the Company’s auditors who shall be an accounting firm approved with Board Approval, together with a comparison of such statements to the applicable budget for such periods. The Company shall deliver to each Member as soon as applicable after the end of each Fiscal Year, but in any event before March 31 of the subsequent year, Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1s together with such additional information as may be required by the Members (or their owners) in order to file their individual returns reflecting the Company’s operations. The Company shall also (i) provide each Member with an estimate of its share of the Company’s taxable income for each Fiscal Year by December 1 of each such Fiscal Year, including an estimate of state and local apportionment information, and (ii) cause an estimated Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1 or any successor form to be prepared and delivered to the Members within 15 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, including any appropriate state and local apportionment information;

 

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(d) The Company shall permit each Member and their respective representatives, at the sole risk of such Persons, to (i) visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including its books of account and other records (and make copies of and take extracts from such books and records), (ii) obtain any information reasonably requested by such Member relating to the Company and the Subsidiaries and (iii) to discuss all aspects of its business, affairs, finances and accounts with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ officers and its independent public accountants, all upon reasonable notice at such reasonable times during the Company’s and such Subsidiaries’ usual business hours and as often as any such Person may reasonably request, and to consult with and advise management of the Company and its Subsidiaries, upon reasonable notice at reasonable times from time to time, on all matters relating to the operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries. All costs incurred in such inspection will be borne by the applicable Member; provided, that if it is determined that the Company or its Subsidiaries is in material breach of this Agreement, then such costs will be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything contrary in the foregoing, each Member shall have the right to use the information and data it reviews and obtains pursuant to this Section 10.1 at its reasonable discretion, subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement. Any information received by a Member pursuant to this Section 10.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.4.

10.2 Maintenance of Books. The Company shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal office complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business and minutes of the proceedings of the Board and any of the Members. The Company’s financial books and records shall be maintained on a full cost accounting basis unless otherwise agreed by the entire Board. The records shall include complete and accurate information regarding the state of the business and financial condition of the Company; a copy of the Certificate and this Agreement and all amendments thereto; a current list of the names and last known business, residence or mailing addresses of all Members; and the Company’s federal, state and local tax returns for the Company’s six most recent tax years.

10.3 Accounts. The Company shall establish one or more separate bank and investment accounts and arrangements for the Company, which shall be maintained in the Company’s name with financial institutions and firms that the Board may determine. The Company may not commingle the Company’s funds with the funds of any Member.

 

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10.4 Information; Confidentiality.

(a) No Member shall be entitled to obtain any information relating to the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement or to the extent required by the Act and to the extent a Member is so entitled to, or otherwise receives, any information relating to the Company or the other Members, such Member and such information shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.4(b). Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, no Member shall be entitled to obtain any information relating to the Company described in Section 18-305 of the Act.

(b) Each Member agrees that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by such Member and shall not be disclosed by such Member in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that any such Confidential Information may be disclosed (i) to such Member’s Affiliates, to Persons who are (or who are prospective) beneficial owners of Equity Interests in the Company, such Member or its Affiliates, including any bona fide Third-Party Transferee, and to managers, directors, officers, employees and authorized representatives (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial advisors) of such Member and of such Member’s Affiliates (collectively, for purposes of this Section 10.4(b), “Representatives”), each of which Representatives shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.4(b) or substantially similar terms, and that such Member shall be responsible for a breach of this Section 10.4(b) by any of its Representatives as if such Representative were a party hereto; (ii) to the extent to which the Company consents in writing; (iii) to the extent not in violation of applicable Law, to any of such Member’s actual or prospective equityholders, lenders and other financing sources if disclosure is with respect to the terms of any Member’s investment in the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the performance of that investment (whether in such Member’s or its Affiliate’s fundraising materials or otherwise); (iv) by a Member or Representative to the extent reasonably necessary in connection with such Member’s enforcement of its rights under this Agreement; or (v) by any Member or Representative to the extent that the Member or Representative has received advice from its counsel that it is legally compelled to do so, provided that prior to making such disclosure, the Member or Representative, as the case may be, uses reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, including consulting with the Company regarding such disclosure and, if reasonably requested by the Company, assisting the Company, at the Company’s expense, in seeking a protective order to prevent the requested disclosure.

(c) The obligations of a Member pursuant to this Section 10.4 will continue following the time such Person ceases to be a Member, but thereafter such Person will not have the right to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Each Member acknowledges that disclosure of Confidential Information in violation of this Section 10.4 may cause irreparable damage to the Company and the Members for which monetary damages are inadequate, difficult to compute, or both. Accordingly, each Member consents to the issuance of an injunction or the enforcement of other equitable remedies against such Member at the suit of an aggrieved party without the posting of any bond or other security, in order to compel specific performance of all of the terms of this Section 10.4.

 

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10.5 VCOC Amendments. If any Member notifies the Company that the provisions of this Agreement should be amended to preserve the qualification of such Member or any of its Affiliates as a “venture capital operating company” (as defined by the regulations issued by the United States Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (or any similar successor statute)) or otherwise to ensure that the assets of such Member or its Affiliate are not “plan assets” for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (or any similar successor statute), then the Company shall amend this Agreement as is reasonably necessary to preserve such qualification of such Member or its Affiliate or otherwise to ensure that the assets of such Member or its Affiliate are not “plan assets” with an instrument executed by the Company and such Member without the consent of any other party hereto (a “VCOC Amendment”), subject to Section 13.4(a)(iii).

10.6 Corporate Transparency Act.

(a) Each Member shall provide the Company promptly (and within fifteen days of any request) with any information the Company reasonably deems necessary or advisable to obtain from such Member for the Company to comply with the CTA, including (i) such Member’s, or with respect to an Member that is not a natural person (an “Entity Member”) each of such Entity Member’s Indirect Owners’, CTA Information or the FinCEN Identifier assigned to them by FinCEN; and (ii) such information or documents as may be necessary for the Company to determine whether such Member or any of such Member’s Indirect Owners or controllers have Substantial Control over the Company or any Person in which the Company holds an interest (collectively, “Substantial Control Information”); provided, however, that any Entity Member that is exempt from the definition of “reporting company” as defined in the CTA (an “Exempt Member”) shall notify the Company of such exemption and may forgo providing the Company with its Indirect Owners’ CTA Information, subject to Section 10.6(b).

(b) Each Member shall notify the Company promptly (and within five days of obtaining knowledge) of any change or inaccuracy in or to any of such Member’s, or for an Entity Member, any of such Entity Member’s Indirect Owners’ CTA Information most recently provided to the Company, including (i) a change in such Member’s or Indirect Owner’s legal name, date of birth, or residential street address; (ii) a change in the name, date of birth, address, or unique identifying number on such Member’s or Indirect Owner’s Acceptable Identification Document; or (iii) for an Entity Member, as may result from a change in the direct or indirect ownership or control of such Entity Member. Any Exempt Member shall promptly notify the Company of any loss of its exemption from the definition of “reporting company” as defined in the CTA, and shall promptly provide to the Company the information required in this Section 10.6.

(c) Each Member shall notify the Company promptly (and within five days of obtaining knowledge) of any amendment, modification, supplement, or other change in or to any Substantial Control Information previously provided by such Member to the Company.

 

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ARTICLE 11

TAXES

11.1 Tax Returns. The Company shall prepare and timely file all federal, state and local and foreign tax returns required to be filed by the Company (including all tax returns required under Section 7.01(c) of the Contribution Agreement). Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any income tax return of the Company shall be prepared by an independent public accounting firm of recognized national standing selected by the Board. Each Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Company’s operations that is reasonably necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be timely prepared and filed.

11.2 Tax Partnership. Except as provided in Section 7.6, it is the intention of the Members that the Company be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, neither the Company nor any Member shall make an election for the Company to be excluded from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state Law or to be classified as other than a partnership pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3.

11.3 Tax Elections. On the appropriate forms or tax returns, the Company shall:

(a) adopt the calendar year as the Company’s Fiscal Year, if permitted under the Code;

(b) adopt the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes;

(c) elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company as permitted by Code Section 709(b);

(d) if requested by any Member, make an election under Section 754 of the Code; and

(e) make any other election the Board may deem appropriate.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither the Partnership Representative nor the Company shall make or change any tax election that could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse and disproportionate effect on a Member without the written consent of such Member (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Upon request of the Board, each Member shall cooperate in good faith with the Company in connection with the Company’s efforts to elect out of the application of the company-level audit and adjustment rules of the Bipartisan Budget Act, if applicable.

11.4 Partnership Representative. The Board may appoint and replace a Partnership Representative and authorize the Partnership Representative to take any and all actions determined by the Board and permissible under the Bipartisan Budget Act. The initial Partnership Representative will be the Estis Member. The Partnership Representative is hereby authorized to take such actions and to execute and file all statements and forms on behalf of the Company that

 

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are approved by the Board and are permitted or required by the applicable provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act (including a “push-out” election under Section 6226 of the Code or any analogous election under state or local tax law) or in connection with any other tax proceeding; provided that, the Partnership Representative shall cause the Company to duly and timely make a “push-out” election under Section 6226 of the Code or any analogous election under state or local tax law. Each Member shall reasonably cooperate with the Partnership Representative and do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Partnership Representative (including paying any and all resulting taxes, additions to tax, penalties and interest in a timely fashion) in connection with any examination of the Company’s affairs by any federal, state, or local tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings. No Member shall have any claim against the Partnership Representative, any Manager or the Company for any actions taken (or any failures to take action) by such Persons in good faith. All reasonable, documented cost or expense incurred by the Partnership Representative in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be paid by the Company. The Partnership Representative shall notify the Members of, and keep the Members reasonably informed as to the status of, any material tax proceeding involving the Company. Without duplication of the foregoing, the Partnership Representative shall, with respect to each Member (and each former Member with respect to periods during which the former Member was a Member), (i) provide prompt written notice of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as Partnership Representative after becoming aware thereof, (ii) promptly forward copies of all written communications it may receive from any federal, state or local tax authorities, and (iii) otherwise keep such Member (and former Member, as applicable) adequately informed of administrative and judicial proceedings relating to Company matters for which the Partnership Representative is responsible. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) without first obtaining the written consent of the Board, acting in good faith, the Partnership Representative shall not extend the statute of limitations, file a request for administrative adjustment relating to any Company item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or settle or compromise any tax proceeding, (ii) with respect to any tax audit or proceeding that would have a materially adverse and disproportionate impact on a Member, the Partnership Representative (A) shall consult in good faith with such Member regarding the course and conduct of such tax proceeding, and (B) shall not settle or compromise such tax proceeding without obtaining the written consent of such Member (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and (iii) no Member nor any of its direct or indirect owners shall be required under this Agreement to file an amended return (including use of the alternative procedure under Section 6225(c)(2)(B)) pursuant to Section 6225(c)(2) of the Code with respect to any administrative and judicial proceedings relating to Company matters, and the Company will not subject any Member (or its direct or indirect owners) to any liability or expense solely as a result of such Member or owner’s failure to file an amended return (including use of the alternative procedure under Section 6225(c)(2)(B)) pursuant to Section 6225(c)(2) of the Code (other than its allocable share of any relevant imputed underpayment and interest and penalties imposed on or with respect to such imputed underpayment).

 

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With respect to any Member or the Partnership Representative, this Section 11.4 shall survive a Member’s ceasing to be a Member of the Company or the termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

11.5 Tax Sharing Agreement. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is or becomes subject to taxation as an entity in any jurisdiction, the burden of such tax shall be borne by the entity subject to such tax. Further, in the event the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is treated for purposes of any such tax as a member of a consolidated, combined or unitary group for tax purposes with any Member or an Affiliate thereof, the Company shall enter into a customary tax sharing agreement with such Member (or such Member’s applicable Affiliates) pursuant to which the Company shall agree to bear its and its Subsidiaries’ shares of such taxes determined as though the Company and its Subsidiaries that are treated as part of such consolidated, combined or unitary group were taxable as a separate standalone group with respect to their taxable items.

ARTICLE 12

DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION

12.1 Dissolution.

(a) Subject to Section 12.1(b), the Company shall be liquidated and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events (each a “Liquidation Event”) and no other event shall cause the Company’s dissolution:

(i) the consent of the Board and the Members in accordance with Article 8;

(ii) at any time when there are no Members; and

(iii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act.

(b) If the Liquidation Event described in Section 12.1(a)(ii) shall occur, the Company shall not be dissolved, and the business of the Company shall be continued, if the requirements of Section 18-801 of the Act for the avoidance of dissolution are satisfied

(a “Continuation Election”).

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 12.1, to the maximum extent permitted by the Act, the death, retirement, Resignation, expulsion, Bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the commencement or consummation of separation proceedings shall not constitute a Liquidation Event and, notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or circumstance, the business of the Company shall be continued without dissolution.

 

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12.2 Winding-Up and Termination. On the occurrence of a Liquidation Event, unless a Continuation Election is made, the Board may select one or more Persons to act as liquidator or may itself act as liquidator. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of winding up shall be borne as a Company expense, including reasonable compensation to the liquidator if approved by the Board. Until final distribution, the liquidator shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Board. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:

(a) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations;

(b) the liquidator shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding up) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and

(c) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as follows:

(i) the liquidator may sell any or all Company property, including to Members, and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with the provisions of Article 6;

(ii) with respect to all Company property that has not been sold, the Fair Market Value of that property shall be reasonably determined by the Board in good faith and the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income, gain, loss and deduction inherent in such property that has not been reflected in the Capital Accounts previously would be allocated among the Members if there were a taxable disposition of that property for the Fair Market Value of that property on the date of distribution; and

(iii) Company property shall be distributed among the Members in accordance with Section 6.1, and those distributions shall be made by the end of the taxable year of the Company during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, 90 days after the date of the liquidation); provided, however, that none of such Company property shall be distributed pursuant to Section 6.1(b).

All distributions in kind to the Members shall be made subject to the liability of each distributee for costs, expenses and liabilities theretofore incurred or for which the Company has committed prior to the date of termination and those costs, expenses and liabilities shall be allocated to the distributee pursuant to this Section 12.2. The distribution of cash or property to the Members in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2 constitutes a complete return to such Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Members of its Membership Interests (including Units) and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.

 

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12.3 Deficit Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to pay to the Company, to any other Member or to any third party any deficit balance which may exist from time to time in the Member’s Capital Account.

12.4 Certificate of Cancellation. On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Board (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a Certificate of Cancellation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.5, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the effectiveness of the Certificate of Cancellation, the existence of the Company shall cease, except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or other applicable Law.

ARTICLE 13

GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1 Notices.

(a) Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or consents provided for or required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given if personally delivered, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or nationally recognized overnight or second-day delivery service with proof of receipt maintained, at the following addresses (or any other address that any such party may designate by written notice to the other parties in accordance herewith, except that such notice shall be effective only upon receipt):

(i) if to the Company, at the address of its principal executive offices;

(ii) if to an Effective Date Member, to the address given for the Member on Schedule I hereto; and

(iii) if to an Additional Member, Substituted Member or a holder of Membership Interests or Units that has not been admitted as a Member, to the address given for such Member or holder in an Addendum Agreement.

Any such notice shall, if delivered personally, be deemed received upon delivery; shall, if delivered by certified mail, be deemed received upon the earlier of actual receipt thereof or five Business Days after the date of deposit in the United States mail, as the case may be; and shall, if delivered by nationally recognized overnight or second-day delivery service, be deemed received the second Business Day after the date of deposit with the delivery service.

(b) Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law, the Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

 

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13.2 Entire Agreement; Supersedure. This Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules) and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement of the Members relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the Company, whether oral or written.

13.3 Effect of Waiver or Consent. A waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person with respect to the Company. Failure on the part of a Person to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default with respect to the Company, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Person of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.

13.4 Amendment or Restatement; Power of Attorney.

(a) Subject to Section 8.6, Section 8.8 and Section 13.4(b), this Agreement (including any Exhibit or Schedule hereto) or the Certificate may only be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, and any provisions of this Agreement or the Certificate may only be waived, by Unanimous Board Approval and Majority Approval; provided, however, that:

(i) any such amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver that would alter or change the rights, obligations, powers or preferences of one or more Members in the capacity as a holder of a specific series of Units in a disproportionate and adverse manner, other than in a de minimis respect, compared to the rights, obligations, powers and preferences specific to other Members in their capacities as the holders of the same series of Units shall also require the prior written consent of Members holding more than 50% of the Units so disproportionately and adversely affected;

(ii) without limiting Section 13.4(a)(i), any such amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver that would alter or change the rights, obligations, powers or preferences specific to a particular series (or group of series) of Units in a disproportionate and adverse manner, other than in a de minimis respect, compared to the rights, obligations, powers and preferences specific to any other series of Units shall also require the prior written consent of Members holding more than 50% of the series of Units so disproportionately and adversely affected; and

 

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(iii) any VCOC Amendment may be made without the consent of any party other than the Company and any Member holding at least a majority of the outstanding Membership Interests; provided, however, that any VCOC Amendment that adversely affects a Member in its capacity as a Member or as a holder of Units in a disproportionate manner compared to the other Members in such capacities shall require the prior written consent of the adversely affected Member.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.4, this Agreement shall be deemed to be automatically amended from time to time to the extent provided in an Addendum Agreement executed and delivered by the parties thereto to reflect issuances and transfers of Membership Interests made in compliance with this Agreement without the further consent of any party to this Agreement.

13.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and each Member and their respective heirs, permitted successors, permitted assigns, permitted distributees and legal representatives; and by their signatures hereto, the Company and each Member intends to and does hereby become bound. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under, in or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained; provided, that each Covered Person is hereby made a third party beneficiary of Article 9 with the right to enforce the provisions thereof. The rights under this Agreement may be assigned by a Member to a transferee of all or a portion of such Member’s Membership Interests transferred in accordance with this Agreement (and shall be assigned to the extent this Agreement requires such assignment), but only to the extent of such Units so transferred; it being understood that the assignment of any rights under this Agreement shall not constitute admission to the Company as a Member unless and until such transferee is duly admitted as a Member in accordance with this Agreement.

13.6 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution; Severability.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.

(b) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Chancery Court located in Wilmington, Delaware, or, if such court shall not have jurisdiction, any federal court of the United States of or other Delaware state court located in Wilmington, Delaware, and appropriate appellate courts therefrom, over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute may be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such courts or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. Each of the parties hereto agrees

 

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that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. This consent to jurisdiction is being given solely for purposes of this Agreement and is not intended to, and shall not, confer consent to jurisdiction with respect to any other dispute in which a party to this Agreement may become involved. Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to process being served by any party to this Agreement in any suit, action, proceeding or counterclaim of the nature specified in this subsection (b) by the mailing of a copy thereof in the manner specified by the provisions of Section 13.1. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(c) To the extent that a direct conflict exists between any provision of this Agreement and (i) any provision of the Certificate or (ii) any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Act, such provision of the Certificate or the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act provides that it may be varied or superseded in the agreement of a limited liability company (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter.

(d) If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future Laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of each such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

13.7 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and each Member shall execute and deliver all such future instruments and take such other and further action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the intention of the parties as expressed herein.

13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of a copy of this Agreement bearing an original signature by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail shall have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.

 

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13.9 Fees and Expenses. Each of the Members shall pay their own expenses in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, and the other agreements and Transaction Documents contemplated hereby, any amendments to such documents, and the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

13.10 No Presumption. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that, in the event any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties to this Agreement, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Members have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT


MEMBERS:
GEC ESTIS HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT


FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT


FLOGISTIX HOLDINGS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT


EXHIBIT A

DEFINED TERMS

Acceptable Identification Document” means, with respect to a natural person, one of the following documents validly issued to such Person: (i) a nonexpired U.S. passport issued by the U.S. government; (ii) a nonexpired U.S. state, local government, or Indian tribal identification document issued to identify such Person; (iii) a nonexpired U.S. state-issued driver’s license; or (iv) if such Person does not have any of the documents listed in clauses (i)-(iii), a nonexpired passport issued to such Person by a foreign government.

Accredited Investor” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act.

Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.

Addendum Agreement” is defined in Section 3.7(b).

Additional Member” means any Person that is not already a Member who acquires (i) a portion of the Membership Interests held by a Member from such Member or (ii) newly issued Membership Interests from the Company and, in each case, is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.7.

Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Member, (i) increased by any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore or is treated as obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) and (ii) decreased by any amounts described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) with respect to such Member. The Adjusted Capital Accounts shall be maintained in a manner that facilitates the determination of the portion of each Adjusted Capital Account attributable to each series of Units. The foregoing definition of “Adjusted Capital Account” is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and 1.704-2 and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Advancing Member” is defined in Section 7.7(b)(i).

Affected Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).

Affiliate” means, when used with respect to a specified Person, any Person which (i) directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is Under Common Control with such specified Person, (ii) is an officer, director, general partner, trustee or manager of such specified Person, or of a Person described in clause (i) of this definition, or (iii) is a Relative of such specified Person or of an individual described in clauses (i) or (ii) of this definition.

Affiliate Contract” means any Contract or other legally binding transaction or arrangement, the parties to which include a Member and/or one or more of its Affiliates or direct or indirect equity owners (on the one hand) and the Company or any its Subsidiaries (on the other hand).

 

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Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

Applicable Tax Rate” means the highest applicable federal, state and local income tax rate (including any tax rate imposed on “net investment income” by Code Section 1411) applicable to an individual or, if higher, a corporation, resident in New York, New York with respect to the character of federal taxable income or loss allocated by the Company to such Member (e.g., capital gains or losses, dividends, ordinary income, etc.) during each applicable Fiscal Year.

Bankruptcy” or “Bankrupt” means (i) with respect to any Person, that such Person (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (C) becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (D) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a reorganization, arrangement with creditors, composition with creditors, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law; (E) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (A) through (D) of this clause (i); or (F) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s properties; or (ii) a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement with creditors, composition with creditors, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law has been commenced against such Person and 120 days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without such Person’s consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Person’s properties has been appointed and 90 days have expired without the appointment having been vacated or stayed, or 90 days have expired after the date of expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated.

Bipartisan Budget Act” means Code Sections 6221 through 6241, together with any final or temporary Treasury Regulations, Revenue Rulings, and case law interpreting Code Sections 6221 through 6241 (and any analogous provision of state or local tax law).

Blocker Corporation” is defined in Section 7.6(c).

Board” is defined in Section 8.1.

Board Approval” is defined in Section 8.2(e).

Board Observer” is defined in Section 8.3.

Book Value” means, with respect to any property of the Company or its Subsidiaries, such property’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

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(i) The initial Book Value of any property contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the Fair Market Value of such property as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith as of the date of such contribution; provided that the initial Book Value of the property contributed (or deemed contributed) by the Members as of the Effective Date shall be equal, in the aggregate, to the value set forth under column (1) opposite such Member’s name on Schedule I (subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.6 and 6.1(d));

(ii) The Book Values of all properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective Fair Market Values as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith in connection with (A) the acquisition of an interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution or in exchange for the performance of more than a de minimis amount of services to or for the benefit of the Company, (B) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the Company, (C) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704- 1(b)(2)(ii)(g)(1), (D) the acquisition of an interest in the Company by any new or existing Member upon the exercise of a non-compensatory option in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s), or (E) any other event to the extent determined by the Board to be permitted and necessary to properly reflect Book Values in accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q); provided, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D) above shall be made only if the Board reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company. If any non- compensatory options are outstanding upon the occurrence of an event described in clauses (ii)(A) through (ii)(E) above, the Company shall adjust the Book Values of its properties in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2);

(iii) The Book Value of property distributed to a Member shall be adjusted to equal the Fair Market Value of such property as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith as of the date of such distribution;

(iv) The Book Value of all property shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such property pursuant to Code Section 734(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and clause (viii) of the definition of Profits and Losses or Section 6.2(b)(viii); provided, however, that the Book Value of property shall not be adjusted pursuant to this clause (iv) to the extent the Board reasonably determines that an adjustment pursuant to clause (ii) of this definition is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this clause (iv);

(v) If the Book Value of property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iv) of this definition, such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such property for purposes of computing Profits, Losses and other items allocated pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

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Business Day” means, with respect to the recipient of any notice, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to close.

Business Opportunity” is defined in Section 8.7(b).

Capital Account” means the account to be maintained by the Company for each Member pursuant to Section 5.3.

Capital Contribution” means with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the initial Book Value of any property (other than money) contributed (or deemed contributed) to the Company by such Member. Any reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital Contribution of such Member’s predecessors in interest.

Certificate” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

Chief Executive Officer” means the chief executive officer of the Company.

Closing Statements” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

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

Committee” is defined in Section 8.2(n).

Company” is defined in the recitals.

Company Level Taxes” means any federal, state, or local taxes, additions to tax, penalties, and interest payable by the Company as a result of any examination of the Company’s affairs by any federal, state, or local tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings under the Bipartisan Budget Act.

Confidential Information” means all confidential and proprietary information (irrespective of the form of communication) obtained by or on behalf of a Member from the Company, its Subsidiaries, any other Member or any of their respective representatives, other than information which (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement by such Member, (ii) was or becomes available to such Member on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure to the Member by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives, (iii) was or becomes lawfully available to the Member on a non-confidential basis from sources other than the Company its Subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives, provided that such Member does not know that such sources are prohibited by contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation from transmitting the information, or (iv) is independently developed by such Member without the use of any such information received under this Agreement.

 

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Continuation Election” is defined in Section 12.1(b).

Contribution Agreement” is defined in the recitals.

Control,” including the correlative terms “Controlling,” “Controlled by” and “Under Common Control with” means possession, directly or indirectly (through one or more intermediaries), of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of Equity Interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Covered Audit Adjustment” means an adjustment to any partnership-related item (within the meaning of Code Section 6241(2)(B)) to the extent such adjustment results in an “imputed underpayment” as described in Code Section 6225(b) or any analogous provision of state or local law.

Covered Person” means each M&M Covered Person and each Management Covered Person.

Creditors Rights” means applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to legal principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies.

CTA” means the Corporate Transparency Act (31 U.S.C. § 5336), enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

CTA Information” means, with respect to a natural person, (i) the full legal name of such Person, including any suffix; (ii) their date of birth; (iii) their complete current residential street address, including any apartment or suite number; and (iv) a unique identifying number, and issuing jurisdiction, from an Acceptable Identification Document issued to such Person and an image of such Acceptable Identification Document of sufficient quality that includes a legible image of such unique identifying number and a recognizable photograph of such Person

Cumulative Assumed Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Member as of any Fiscal Year, the product of (i) the federal taxable income (other than taxable income incurred in connection with (A) an Exit Event, a Liquidation Event, or Qualified IPO; (B) the receipt of a guaranteed payment for services by such Member; or (C) the forfeiture or repurchase of Series A Units from such Member or another Member) allocated by the Company to such Member in such Fiscal Year and all prior Fiscal Years, less the federal taxable loss allocated by the Company to such Member in such Fiscal Year and all prior Fiscal Years (taking into account for purposes of clause (i) any applicable limitations on the deductibility of capital losses and disregarding the effect of any deduction under Section 199A of the Code and the deductibility of state and local income taxes for federal income tax purposes) (unless deductibility is not subject to any limitations); multiplied by (ii) the Applicable Tax Rate.

 

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Defaulting Member” is defined in Section 6.1(d).

Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction (excluding depletion) allowable for federal income tax purposes with respect to property for such Fiscal Period, except that (i) with respect to any such property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis for federal income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the “remedial method” pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such Fiscal Period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Fiscal Period under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (ii) with respect to any other such property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis at the beginning of such Fiscal Period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Book Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, that, if the adjusted tax basis of any property at the beginning of such Fiscal Period is zero, Depreciation with respect to such property shall be determined with reference to such beginning value using any reasonable method selected by the Board.

Disposition,” including the correlative terms “Dispose” or “Disposed,” means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, sale, gift, inter vivos transfer, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, or other encumbrance, or any other disposition (whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Membership Interests (or any interest (pecuniary or otherwise) therein or right thereto), including derivative or similar transactions or arrangements whereby a portion or all of the economic interest in, or risk of loss or opportunity for gain with respect to, Membership Interests is transferred or shifted to another Person; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of any Equity Interests in Estis Member, Flowco Member, Flogistix Member or in any Person that holds or controls (directly or indirectly through one or more Persons) Equity Interests in Estis Member, Flowco Member, Flogistix Member shall not be a Disposition for purposes of this Agreement, in each case, so long as such transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of Equity Interests is not in any Person, the primary purpose of which is to hold, or the primary assets of which consist of, Membership Interests.

Drag-Along Notice” is defined in Section 7.4(a).

Drag-Along Purchaser” is defined in Section 7.4(a).

Drag-Along Transaction” means any transaction or series of related transactions (whether such transaction occurs by a sale or other disposition of assets, sale of Units or other interests of the Company, consolidation, conversion, merger or other business combination involving the Company, in each case, excluding any Dispositions made pursuant to Section 7.3 or Section 7.6) which results in (i) the record holders of Units prior to such transaction (or any of their respective Affiliates) having record ownership, directly or indirectly after the consummation of the transaction, of 50% or less (determined by the percentage of liquidating distributions the record holders of Units (or any of their respective Affiliates) would receive upon a liquidation of the Company or other surviving entity immediately after consummation of such transaction) of the Equity Interests of the Company or other surviving company; or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company being held by an entity that is owned less than 50%, directly or indirectly, by the record holders of Units immediately prior to such transaction (or any of their respective Affiliates).

 

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Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

Effective Date” is defined in the preamble.

Effective Date Member” is defined in Section 3.1.

Eligible Purchaser” means any holder of Units that certifies to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that such holder is an Accredited Investor.

Eligible Purchaser Person” is defined in Section 7.11(b).

Eligible Seller” means any holder of Units.

Eligible Seller Person” is defined in Section 7.11(b).

Entity Member” is defined in Section 10.6(a).

Equity Interests” means (i) capital stock, member interests, partnership interests, other equity interests, rights to profits or revenue and any other similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, (ii) any security or other interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of the foregoing, whether at the time of issuance or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of some future event and (iii) any warrant, option or other right (contingent or otherwise) to acquire any of the foregoing.

Estis Manager” is defined in Section 8.2(a)(i).

Estis Member” is defined in the recitals.

Excess Funding Amount” is defined in Section 7.7(b)(ii).

Excluded Issuance” is defined in Section 7.7(a).

Exempt Member” is defined in Section 10.6(a).

Exit Event” means (i) the transfer (in one or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person or a group of Persons acting in concert (other than to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company), (ii) the transfer (in one or a series of related transactions) of substantially all of the then-outstanding Units to one Person or a group of Persons acting in concert, (iii) an

 

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amalgamation, merger, conversion or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, or (iv) a Qualified IPO, and in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) preceding, under circumstances in which immediately following such transaction, a Person or group of Persons acting in concert, other than the Members (as of the Effective Date), collectively own a majority in voting power of the then outstanding voting power or Equity Interests of the surviving or resulting Person or acquirer, as the case may be. In addition, a sale (or multiple related sales) of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (whether by way of amalgamation, merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all assets or Equity Interests of such Subsidiary or Subsidiaries), which constitutes all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company shall be deemed to be an Exit Event.

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or Unit, the price at which such asset or Unit would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts, as reasonably determined by the Board.

FinCEN” means the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

FinCEN Identifier” has the meaning set forth in the CTA.

Fiscal Period” means any period (a) commencing on the Effective Date or, for any Fiscal Period other than the first Fiscal Period, the day following the end of a prior Fiscal Period, and (b) ending (i) on the last day of each Fiscal Year; (ii) subject to clause (iii) of this definition, on the day immediately preceding any day on which an event that results in an adjustment to the Book Value of the Company’s properties occurs pursuant to clauses (ii)(A), (ii)(B), (ii)(C) or (ii)(E) of the definition of Book Value (with such adjustment also deemed to occur on the day immediately preceding such event); (iii) immediately after any day on which an adjustment to the Book Value of the Company’s properties occurs pursuant clause (ii)(D) of the definition of Book Value; or (iv) on any other date determined by the Board.

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year unless another fiscal year is required for federal income tax purposes or the Board designates another fiscal year. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Company shall have the same fiscal year for federal income tax purposes and for accounting purposes.

Flogistix Manager” is defined in Section 8.2(a)(ii).

Flogistix Member” is defined in the recitals.

Flowco Manager” is defined in Section 8.2(a)(iii).

Flowco Member” is defined in the recitals.

Formation Date” is defined in the recitals.

 

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Fraud” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

Fundamental Representation” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

GEC” means GEC Advisors LLC.

Inclusion Notice” is defined in Section 7.5(b).

Indemnification Determination Date” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

Indemnification Obligation” means an indemnification obligation finally determined under Article IX of the Contribution Agreement.

Indemnification Offset” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of an Indemnification Obligation that, pursuant to Section 5.6, is satisfied through offsets to amounts that would otherwise be distributed to such Member.

Indemnified Party” is defined in the Contribution Agreement.

Indemnitees” is defined in Section 9.1(f).

Indemnitors” is defined in Section 9.1(f).

Indirect Owner” means, with respect to any Entity Member, any natural person who, from time to time, directly or indirectly, owns or controls an Ownership Interest through such Entity Member.

Initial Agreement” is defined in the recitals.

IPO Conversion” is defined in Section 7.6(b).

IPO Issuer” means (i) the Company or (ii) an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company that will be a successor to the Company and the issuer in a Qualified IPO.

IPO Newco” means a corporation or other business entity (i) that is newly organized into which all or a substantial portion of (a) the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) the Membership Interests are transferred, (ii) with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries effectuates a merger as provided under Section 18-209 of the Act or otherwise, or (iii) into which all or substantially all of the assets or Membership Interests of the Company are restructured, including by way of the conversion of the Company into a Delaware corporation, in each case for the express purpose of facilitating a Qualified IPO.

 

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IPO Securities” means the type of securities of the IPO Issuer issued in a Qualified IPO, including the same as may be issued thereafter in connection with any exchange of Post-IPO Subject Securities.

Law” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a domestic, foreign, tribal or international governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Act.

Liquidation Event” is defined in Section 12.1(a).

M&M Covered Person” means (a) with respect to each Member, (i) such Member in its capacity as a Member (including in its capacity as Partnership Representative, if applicable), (b) each of such Member’s officers, directors, liquidators, partners, equityholders, managers and members in their capacity as such, (c) each of such Member’s Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) and each of their respective officers, directors, liquidators, partners, equityholders, managers and members in their capacities as such and (d) any representatives, agents or employees of any Person identified in subclauses (a)-(c) of this clause (i); (ii) each current and former Manager, in such Person’s capacity as a Manager; and (iii) any other Person who the Board expressly designates as an M&M Covered Person in a written resolution.

Majority Approval” means the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units.

Management Covered Person” means (i) each current and former Officer (solely in such Person’s capacity as an Officer) and officers of any Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) each employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company who the Board expressly designates as a Management Covered Person in a written resolution.

Manager” is defined in Section 8.1.

Member” means any Person (but not any Affiliate or entity in which such Person has an Equity Interest) executing this Agreement as of the Effective Date as a member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be a member in the Company.

Member Advance” is defined in Section 5.4.

Member Advance Election Period” is defined in Section 7.7(b)(ii).

Member Advance Notice” is defined in Section 7.7(b)(ii).

Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning assigned to the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

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Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning assigned to the term “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning assigned to the term “partner nonrecourse deductions” in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

Members Schedules” is defined in Section 3.6.

Membership Interest” means the interest of a Member in the Company, which may be evidenced by Units or other interests, including rights to distributions (liquidating or otherwise), allocations, notices and information, and all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by that Member (under the Act, the Certificate, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member; and all obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Member (under the Act, the Certificate, this Agreement, or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member.

Minimum Gain” has the meaning assigned to the term “partnership minimum gain” in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

New Issue Election Period” is defined in Section 7.7(a)(ii).

New Issue Notice” is defined in Section 7.7(a)(ii).

New Securities” is defined in Section 7.7(a).

Non-Defaulting Members” is defined in Section 6.1(d).

Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1).

Officer” is defined in Section 8.4(a).

Offset Amount” is defined in Section 6.1(d).

Other Business” is defined in Section 8.7(a).

Over-Allotment Amount” is defined in Section 7.7(a)(ii).

Ownership Interest” has the meaning set forth in the CTA.

Partnership Representative” has the meaning assigned to that term in Code Section 6223 and any “designated individual,” if applicable, as defined in the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including, in each case, any similar capacity or role under relevant state or local law).

 

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Participating Member” is defined in Section 7.7(b)(ii).

Permitted Disposition Date” means the date that is three (3) years from the Effective Date.

Permitted Transferee” means:

(i) any Person which directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is Under Common Control with the applicable Member, including any continuation vehicles or investment funds managed by White Deer or GEC; provided, that a portfolio company of such Member shall not be considered a Permitted Transferee;

(ii) with respect to any holder of Units who is a natural person, any trust, family partnership or family limited liability company, the sole beneficiaries, partners or members of which are such holder or Relatives of such holder; and

(iii) with respect to any holder of Units that is not a natural person, any trust, family partnership or family limited liability company, the sole beneficiaries, partners or members of which are the natural person that is the beneficial owner of the majority of the Equity Interests of such holder or its ultimate parent or Relatives of such natural person.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity and any government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Post-IPO Subject Securities” is defined in Section 7.6(b).

Pre-IPO Subject Securities” is defined in Section 7.6(b).

Profits” or “Losses” means, for each Fiscal Period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

(i) Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition of “Profits” or “Losses” shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

(ii) Any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this definition of “Profits” or “Losses” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

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(iii) In the event the Book Value of any asset is adjusted pursuant to clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the definition of Book Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Book Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Book Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall, except to the extent allocated pursuant to the Regulatory Allocations, be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;

(iv) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Book Value;

(v) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Period;

(vi) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and

(vii) Any items that are allocated pursuant to the Regulatory Allocations shall not be taken into account in computing Profits and Losses, but the amounts of the items of income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to the Regulatory Allocations will be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in clauses (i) through (vi) above.

Proposed Purchaser” is defined in Section 7.7(a).

Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to any Eligible Purchaser, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which equals the number of Units held by such Eligible Purchaser and the denominator of which equals the total number of Units held by all Eligible Purchasers.

Publicly Offered Securities” is defined in Section 7.6(a).

Qualified IPO” means the first underwritten public offering by the IPO Issuer of Equity Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or the consummation of a similar initial public offering by the IPO Issuer pursuant to a comparable process under applicable foreign securities laws), and in which such Equity Interests are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or another nationally or internationally recognized securities exchange, based on a price of Equity Interests to be sold in the Qualified IPO

 

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reasonably acceptable to the Board; provided, that a Qualified IPO shall not include an offering made in connection with a business acquisition or combination pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or any similar form, or an employee benefit plan pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or any similar form, and provided further that a Qualified IPO shall not include an offering not approved in accordance with this Agreement.

Regulatory Allocations” means the allocation pursuant to Section 6.2(b).

Relative” means, with respect to any individual, (i) such individual’s spouse, (ii) any lineal descendant, parent, grandparent, great grandparent or sibling or any lineal descendant of such sibling (in each case whether by blood or legal adoption), and (iii) the spouse of an individual described in clause (ii) of this definition.

Released Persons” is defined in Section 9.8.

Representatives” is defined in Section 10.4(b).

Requested Transferor Percentage” is defined in Section 7.5(b).

Requesting Purchaser” is defined in Section 7.7(a)(ii).

Resign” or “Resignation” means the resignation, withdrawal or retirement of a Member from the Company as a Member.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

Selling Member” is defined in Section 7.4(a).

Series A Units” is defined in Section 3.2(a).

Sharing Ratio” means, with respect to a holder of Units, the quotient (expressed as a percentage) obtained by dividing (i) the number of Units held by such holder by (ii) the total number of Units outstanding.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity a majority of the Equity Interests of which having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of the other direct or indirect Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof (regardless of whether, at the time, Equity Interests of any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the occurrence of any contingency), (ii) a partnership in which such Person or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or (iii) a limited liability company in which such Person or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person is a managing member or manager.

 

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Substantial Control” has the meaning set forth in the CTA.

Substantial Control Information” is defined in Section 10.6(a).

Substituted Member” means any Person who acquires all of the Membership Interests held by a Member from that Member and is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.7.

Tag-Along Offer” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

Tag-Along Sale” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

Tagging Member” is defined in Section 7.5(b).

Tax Distribution” means, with respect to any Member for any Fiscal Year, the excess, if any, of (i) the Cumulative Assumed Tax Liability of such Member as of such Fiscal Year, over (ii) the amount of distributions made to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(c) during such Fiscal Year and all prior Fiscal Years, plus the amount of distributions made to such Member pursuant to Section 6.1(b) with respect to all prior Fiscal Years.

Tax Distribution Date” means, with respect to each Fiscal Year, the first March 15 following the end of such Fiscal Year.

Third Party” with respect to any Member, means any other Person (whether or not another Member) that is not an Affiliate of such Member.

Third Party Offer” means a bona fide written offer from a Third Party.

Third-Party Transferee” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

TRA” is defined in Section 7.6(f).

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Contribution Agreement (and Transaction Documents contemplated therein) and each agreement attached as an Exhibit (including any exhibit to any Exhibit) hereto.

Transferor” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

Treasury Regulations” means the final or temporary regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.

Unanimous Board Approval” is defined in Section 8.2(e).

Unit” means a unit representing a fractional part of the Membership Interests of all of the Members and shall include all types, classes and series of Units (including the Series A Units and any other Membership Interest classified as a Unit pursuant to Section 3.7); provided, that any type, class or series of Units shall have the rights, benefits privileges and obligations set forth in this Agreement.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT A – PAGE 15


Up-C” is defined in Section 7.6(a).

VCOC Amendment” is defined in Section 10.5.

White Deer” means White Deer Management LLC.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT A – PAGE 16


EXHIBIT B

ADDENDUM AGREEMENT

This Addendum Agreement is made this ___________ day of _________, 202_, by and between (the “Recipient”) and Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company executed and agreed to as of June 20, 2024 (as amended, supplemented, restated or modified from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the LLC Agreement.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members entered into the LLC Agreement to impose certain restrictions and obligations upon themselves, and to provide certain rights, with respect to the Company and its Units; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Members have required in the LLC Agreement that all Persons to whom Units of the Company are transferred and all other Persons acquiring Units (each such person, a “New Member”) must enter into an Addendum Agreement binding the New Member to the LLC Agreement to the same extent as if the New Member were an original party thereto and imposing the same restrictions and obligations on the New Member and the Units to be acquired by the New Member as are imposed upon the Members under the LLC Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties and as a condition of the purchase or receipt by the Recipient of the Units, the Recipient acknowledges and agrees as follows:

1. The Recipient has received and read the LLC Agreement and acknowledges that the Recipient is acquiring Units subject to the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement.

2. The Recipient agrees that the Units acquired or to be acquired by the Recipient are bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement, and hereby joins in, and agrees to be bound by, and shall have the benefit of, all of the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement to the same extent as if the Recipient were an original party to the LLC Agreement; provided, however, that the Recipient’s joinder in the LLC Agreement shall not constitute admission of the Recipient as a Member unless and until the Recipient is duly admitted in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement. This Addendum Agreement shall be attached to and become a part of the LLC Agreement.

3. The Recipient hereby represents and warrants, with respect to the Recipient, as of the date hereof to the Company the matters set forth in Section 4.1 of the LLC Agreement and agrees to notify the Company promptly if any such representation or warranty becomes untrue at any time.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT B – PAGE 1


4. Any notice required as permitted by the LLC Agreement shall be given to the Recipient at the address listed beneath the Recipient’s signature below.

5. The Recipient is acquiring [Series A] Units.

6. The Recipient irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Company as the Recipient’s true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and full power and authority in its name, place and stead, to make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to, record and file (i) any amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver of any provision of the LLC Agreement that has been approved in accordance with the LLC Agreement and (ii) all other instruments, certificates, filings or papers not inconsistent with the terms of the LLC Agreement which may be necessary or advisable in the determination of the Board to evidence an amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or waiver of, or relating to, the LLC Agreement or to effect or carry out another provision of the LLC Agreement or which may be required by Law to be filed on behalf of the Company. With respect to the Recipient, the foregoing power of attorney (x) is coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable and shall survive the incapacity or Bankruptcy of the Recipient and (y) shall survive the Disposition by the Recipient of all or any portion of the Units held by the Recipient.

8. THIS ADDENDUM AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.

9. This Addendum Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of a copy of this Addendum Agreement bearing an original signature by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail shall have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT B – PAGE 2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Recipient has executed this Addendum Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 Recipient
Address:

 

 

AGREED TO on behalf of the Members of the Company pursuant to Section 3.7 of the LLC Agreement.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT B – SIGNATURE PAGE


EXHIBIT C

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

At or prior to the consummation of any Qualified IPO, the IPO Issuer shall enter into a registration rights agreement with any Members of the Company who are holders of IPO Securities (or, if the Company holds securities of the IPO Issuer, with the Company), which agreement shall include, among other terms, provisions incorporating substantially the following agreements:

 

   

At any time after the Qualified IPO, (i) the Members controlled, directly or indirectly, by GEC or its Affiliates shall be entitled to four demand registration rights and (ii) Members controlled, directly or indirectly, by White Deer or its Affiliates shall be entitled to two demand registration rights, in each case until such Member and its Affiliates cease to be an Affiliate of the Company or the IPO Issuer and can sell its IPO Securities freely without regard to any restrictions under Rule 144. Such rights will be subject to entry into a customary lock-up in the case of an underwritten public offering. Such Member requesting such registration that is an underwritten public offering shall have the right to select the managing underwriters (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks) to administer the public offering after consultation with the IPO Issuer and other participating Members.

 

   

Except as described in the immediately preceding bullet, no holder of IPO Securities shall be entitled to any demand registration rights.

 

   

Following a Qualified IPO, any Member may request the IPO Issuer to promptly file a “shelf” registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (which shall be on Form S-3 if the IPO Issuer is then eligible therefor) and offer to include in such registration statement all IPO Securities held by the Members or their Affiliates who are holders of IPO Securities who are not entitled to transfer such IPO Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without volume limitations or the need for “current public information”. The IPO Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable after the filing thereof.

 

   

All holders of IPO Securities who were Members or their Affiliates shall be entitled to “piggyback” registration rights in respect of any IPO Securities received by such parties (with customary exceptions for registration statements filed in respect of IPO Securities issued in connection with acquisitions, employee benefit plans and the like).

 

   

Customary provisions in respect of priority in demand and “piggyback” registrations, which priority shall be in the following order:

 

  1.

with respect to demand registrations: (a) first, IPO Securities for the account of the holder exercising its demand rights, (b) second, IPO Securities for the account of other holders under the Registration Rights Agreement contemplated hereby with piggyback rights (other than the holder exercising its demand rights) of IPO Securities, pro rata based on their ownership of IPO Securities; and (c) third, IPO Securities for the account of the IPO Issuer; and

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C – PAGE 1


  2.

with respect to “piggyback” registrations:

 

  (a)

relating to registrations for the account of the IPO Issuer, (i) first, IPO Securities for the account of the IPO Issuer and (ii) second, IPO Securities for the account of holders under the Registration Rights Agreement contemplated hereby of IPO Securities with piggyback rights, pro rata based on their ownership of IPO Securities; and

 

  (b)

relating to registrations in connection with a registration for the account of a holder exercising its demand rights, (i) first, IPO Securities for the account of the holder exercising its demand rights, (ii) second, IPO Securities for the account of holders under the Registration Rights Agreement contemplated hereby with piggyback rights (other than the holder exercising its demand rights) of IPO Securities, pro rata based on their ownership of IPO Securities and (iii) third, IPO Securities for the account of the IPO Issuer.

 

   

Customary provisions in respect of certain underwritten secondary offerings by holders of IPO Securities.

 

   

Customary provisions in respect of lock-up periods in connection with the Qualified IPO and any subsequent public offering.

 

   

The IPO Issuer shall bear all reasonable fees and expenses relating to registration of IPO Securities (including the reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of not more than one law firm retained by the holders in connection with the registration and distribution of IPO Securities), other than any underwriter’s fees (including discounts and commissions) related to the distribution of IPO Securities not sold by the IPO Issuer.

 

   

Customary blackout periods for demand registration rights and shelf registration rights intended to prevent interference with material transactions of the IPO Issuer.

 

   

Customary indemnification of each holder of IPO Securities and its Affiliates and the officers, directors, partners, members, directors, stockholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each of them by the IPO Issuer for losses incurred, arising out of or based upon (a) any untrue statement contained in a registration statement, prospectus or other document prepared in connection with the registration of IPO Securities, (b) any omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a registration statement, prospectus or other document prepared in connection with the registration of IPO Securities or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (c) any violation of the IPO Issuer of the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C – PAGE 2


   

Customary indemnification of the IPO Issuer, its Affiliates and the officers, directors, partners, members, directors, stockholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each of them by each holder of IPO Securities participating in a registration for losses incurred, arising out of or based upon (a) any untrue statement contained in a registration statement, prospectus or other document prepared in connection with the registration of IPO Securities or (b) any omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a registration statement, prospectus or other document prepared in connection with the registration of IPO Securities or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case, only to the extent that such untrue statement or material omission is made in such registration statement or other document in reliance upon written information furnished to the IPO Issuer by such holder specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus or other document.

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C – PAGE 3


SCHEDULE I

MEMBERS’ SCHEDULE FOR HOLDERS OF SERIES A UNITS

 

     (1)      (2)      (3)  
     Effective Date      Total Initial Series      Series A Unit  
     Capital      A Units (as of the      Sharing Ratios  

Name / Address

   Contribution      Effective Date)     

 

 

GEC Estis Holdings LLC

c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

Attention: Jonathan Fairbanks;

Alexander Chmelev

Email: jonathan@geclp.com;

alex@geclp.com

   $ 887,942,935        5,100,000        51

Flowco Production Solutions L.L.C.

c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

Attention: Jonathan Fairbanks;

Alexander Chmelev

Email: jonathan@geclp.com;

alex@geclp.com

   $ 452,676,790        2,600,000        26

Flogistix Holdings, LLC

c/o White Deer Management LLC

700 Louisiana Street, Suite 4770

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Varun Babbili

Email: vbabbili@whitedeerenergy.com

   $ 400,444,853        2,300,000        23

TOTAL:

   $ 1,741,064,578        10,000,000        100

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE I


SCHEDULE II

EFFECTIVE DATE MANAGERS

 

Estis Managers:    Alexander Chmelev
   Sykes Yeates
Flowco Manager:    Jonathan Fairbanks
Flogistix Manager:    Ben Guill

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE II


SCHEDULE III

EFFECTIVE DATE OFFICERS

Chief Executive Officer:   Joe Bob Edwards

 

FLOWCO MERGECO LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE III


ANNEX I

POST-CLOSING CAPITALIZATION TABLE

 

Name / Address

   (1)
Closing Date
Capital
Contribution
     (2)
Closing Units
     (3)
Newco Sharing
Ratio
 

GEC Estis Holdings LLC

   $ 887,942,935        5,100,000        51

Flowco Production Solutions L.L.C.

   $ 452,676,790        2,600,000        26

Flogistix Holdings, LLC

   $ 400,444,853        2,300,000        23

TOTAL:

   $ 1,741,064,578        10,000,000        100


ANNEX I

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

The Accounting Principles means GAAP. The Parties acknowledge and agree that if there is a conflict between a determination, calculation or methodology set forth in the definitions contained in the Agreement, on the one hand, and those provided by GAAP, on the other hand, (a) the determination, calculation, or methodology set forth in the definitions contained in the Agreement shall control to the extent that the matter is included in the definitions contained in the Agreement and (b) the determination, calculation, or methodology in accordance with GAAP shall otherwise control.


ANNEX II

ILLUSTRATIVE WORKING CAPITAL EXAMPLES

 

Estis Companies    3/31/2024  

Accounts Receivable, Net

   $ 52,091,764  

Inventory

     36,121,342  

Other Current Assets

     4,375,043  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

   $ 92,588,149  

Accounts Payable

   $ 15,301,187  

Customer deposits

     3,869,740.2  

Other Current liabilities

     7,158,875  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

   $ 26,329,802  
  

 

 

 

Working Capital

   $ 66,258,347  
  

 

 

 
Flogistix Companies    3/31/2024  

Accounts Receivable, Net

   $ 17,929,588  

Inventories, Net

     79,646,534  

Other Current Assets

     2,580,550  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

   $ 100,156,672  

Accounts Payable

   $ 19,028,712  

Accrued Liabilities

     11,273,894  

Iess Assured Interest

     (320,229
  

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

   $ 29,982,377  
  

 

 

 

Working Capital

   $ 70,174,295  
  

 

 

 
Flowco Companies    3/31/2024  

Accounts Receivable

   $ 45,676,730  

Inventory

     48,681,069  

Intercompany Clearing

     (1,843,353

Other Current Assets

     1,485,131  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

   $ 93,999,577  

Accounts Payable

   $ 11,726,053  

Goods Received Note Suspense

     1,364,876  

Other Current Liabilities

     15,601,828  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

   $ 28,692,757  
  

 

 

 

Working Capital

   $ 65,306,819  
  

 

 

 


ANNEX III

2024 BUDGETS

Estis Budget

 

     Estis 2024 Budget  

($000)

   Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      FY’24  

Revenue

   $ 88,440.7      $ 92,658.3      $ 79,869.2      $ 71,326.1      $ 332,294.2  

Rental

   $ 47,164.6      $ 49,568.3      $ 51,862.1      $ 53,252.7      $ 201,847.6  

Equipment Sales

     41,276.1        43,090.0        28,007.1        18,073.4        130,446.6  

Internal

     18,462.3        14,631.6        10,421.0        6,530.4        50,045.3  

External

     22,813.8        28,458.4        17,586.1        11,542.9        80,401.3  

Gross Profit

   $ 37,839.5      $ 40,033.9      $ 41,080.1      $ 41,519.1      $ 160,472.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Rental

     35,144.0        36,597.0        38,403.7        39,659.5        149,804.1  

Equipment Sales

     2,695.5        3,436.9        2,676.5        1,859.6        10,668.5  

Internal

     —         —         —         —         —   

External

     2,695.5        3,436.9        2,676.5        1,859.6        10,668.5  

EBITDA

   $ 33,158.9      $ 35,136.6      $ 36,069.4      $ 36,529.3      $ 140,894.2  

Capex

   $ 21,026.2      $ 16,140.5      $ 11,623.4      $ 7,482.3      $ 56,272.5  

Levered Free Cash Flow

   $ 13,481.9      $ 8,589.2      $ 26,822.6      $ 21,253.8      $ 70,147.4  

Distributions

   $ 12,000.0      $ 14,000.0      $ 18,000.0      $ 23,000.0      $ 67,000.0  

($000)

   3/31/2024      6/30/2024      9/30/2024      12/31/2024         

Total Debt

   $ 242,598.8      $ 248,009.7      $ 239,187.1      $ 240,933.3     

Total Debt to EBITDA 1

     1.8x        1.8x        1.7x        1.6x     

 

1)

Reflective of L3M Annualized EBITDA as per the company’s leverage covenant


Flowco Budget

 

     Flowco 2024 Budget  

($000)

   Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      FY’24  

Gas Lift

   $ 27,573.3      $ 27,988.9      $ 28,196.4      $ 27,264.0      $ 111,022.6  

Plunger Lift

     15,699.7        20,454.1        20,300.7        17,489.0        73,943.5  

Digital Solutions

     7,320.7        8,918.0        9,275.2        8,654.2        34,168.1  

Wholesale

     10,594.5        10,752.2        11,896.2        11,517.0        44,759.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 61,188.2      $ 68,113.3      $ 69,668.5      $ 64,924.2      $ 263,894.2  

Gross Profit

   $ 29,372.7      $ 33,009.9      $ 33,825.1      $ 31,445.8      $ 127,653.5  

EBITDA

   $ 14,502.6      $ 17,146.6      $ 17,635.9      $ 15,678.7      $ 64,963.7  

Capex

   $ 5,165.3      $ 4,305.0      $ 1,170.0      $ 583.0      $ 11,223.3  

Levered Free Cash Flow

   $ 6,192.0      $ 5,388.8      $ 14,346.1      $ 15,728.9      $ 41,655.9  

Distributions

   $ 10,775.3      $ 7,454.7      $ 9,976.4      $ 15,468.8      $ 43,675.3  

($000)

   3/31/2024      6/30/2024      9/30/2024      12/31/2024         

Total Debt

   $  35,256.7      $  38,087.6      $  34,482.9      $  34,987.8     

Total Debt to LTM EBITDA

     0.6x        0.7x        0.6x        0.5x     


Flogistix Budget

 

     Flogistix 2024 Budget  

($000)

   Q1     Q2      Q3      Q4      FY’24  

Field Service

   $ 36,593.7     $ 38,167.2      $ 39,740.6      $ 41,314.1      $ 155,815.6  

Sold Units

     19,784.5       19,784.5        19,784.5        19,784.5        79,137.9  

Aftermarket Parts & Service

     3,238.0       3,404.9        3,571.8        3,738.7        13,953.3  

AirMethane

     425.4       426.4        427.3        428.2        1,707.3  

Digital Apps

     131.0       152.6        174.2        195.8        653.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 60,172.6     $ 61,935.5      $ 63,698.4      $ 65,461.3      $ 251,267.8  

Gross Profit

   $ 30,478.0     $ 31,569.9      $ 32,663.8      $ 33,757.7      $ 128,469.4  

EBITDA

   $ 22,886.8     $ 23,977.0      $ 24,923.8      $ 26,182.9      $ 97,970.6  

Capex

   $ 19,119.7     $ 18,995.6      $ 19,013.3      $ 19,030.9      $ 76,159.5  

Levered Free Cash Flow

   ($ 466.7   $ 953.6      $ 2,004.5      $ 3,345.2      $ 5,836.6  

Distributions

   $ 5,000.0     $ 4,100.0      $ 10,000.0      $ 8,000.0      $ 27,100.0  

($000)

   3/31/2024     6/30/2024      9/30/2024      12/31/2024         

Total Debt

   $ 210,884.0     $ 215,896.9      $ 225,895.7      $ 233,530.6     

Total Debt to LTM EBITDA

     2.7x       2.5x        2.4x        2.4x     

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

FLOWCO HOLDINGS INC.

FIRST: The name of the corporation is Flowco Holdings Inc. (the “Corporation”).

SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1675 South State Street, Suite B, County of Kent, City of Dover, Delaware 19901. The name of its registered agent at such address is Capitol Services, Inc.

THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Corporation shall have all power necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of such acts and activities.

FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares of common stock, par value of one cent ($0.01) per share.

FIFTH: Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to attend all special and annual meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation and to cast one vote for each outstanding share of common stock so held upon any matter or thing (including, without limitation, the election of one or more directors) properly considered and acted upon by the stockholders.

SIXTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are L.M. Wilson, Sidley Austin LLP, 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5900, Houston, Texas 77002.

SEVENTH: In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation or adopt new bylaws without any action on part of the stockholders; provided that any bylaw adopted or amended by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders.

EIGHTH: The number of directors of the Corporation shall be as specified in, or determined in the manner provided in, the bylaws of the Corporation. Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation so provide, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

NINTH: The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

TENTH: No director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it now exists. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not personally liable as set forth in the preceding sentence, a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the fullest extent permitted by any amendment to the DGCL hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article TENTH shall be prospective only and shall not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of such amendment, repeal or modification.


ELEVENTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of any nature conferred upon directors, stockholders or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Article ELEVENTH.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


I, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby declaring that this is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of July, 2024.

 

/s/ L. M. Wilson

L.M. Wilson

Exhibit 3.3

BYLAWS

OF

FLOWCO HOLDINGS INC.

A Delaware Corporation

Date of Adoption:

July 29, 2024

 


BYLAWS

OF

FLOWCO HOLDINGS INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES AND RECORDS

SECTION 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of Flowco Holdings Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in the manner provided by applicable law.

SECTION 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

SECTION 1.3 Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 2.1 Annual Meetings. If required by applicable law, an annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors of the Corporation shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as may be fixed by resolution of the Board. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

SECTION 2.2 Special Meetings. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by a majority of the Board, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate Secretary upon the written request therefor signed by the holder(s) of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote at such meeting.

SECTION 2.3 Record Date. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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SECTION 2.4 Place of Meeting. The Board may designate the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive offices of the Corporation. The Board, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications, and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication. Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.

SECTION 2.5 Notice of Meetings. Written notice of the place, date and hour of all meetings, and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Corporate Secretary or the other person(s) calling the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat and shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, personally, by electronic transmission or by mail. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. The Corporation may provide stockholders with notice of a meeting by electronic transmission provided such stockholders have consented to receiving electronic notice.

SECTION 2.6 Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the issued and outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of shares of stock with a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, shall have the power to adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time, the place of the holding of the adjourned meeting (if any) and the means of remote communications (if any) by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting; provided, however, if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

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SECTION 2.7 Required Vote. Unless otherwise required by applicable law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote which is registered in his or her name on the record date for the meeting. Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the bylaw (or comparable instrument) of such corporation may prescribe, or in the absence of such provision, as the Board (or comparable body) of such corporation may determine. Shares registered in the name of a deceased person may be voted by his or her executor or administrator, either in person or by proxy.

Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. All other elections and questions presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, be decided by the vote of the majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively.

SECTION 2.8 Written Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, by consent in writing of such stockholders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book or books in which meetings of stockholders are recorded; provided, however, that delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 3.1 Number. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board initially shall be one and thereafter shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board, unless the Certificate of Incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number of directors shall be made only by amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected, and until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

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SECTION 3.2 Powers. Subject to any limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and to any provision of the DGCL relating to powers or rights conferred upon or reserved to the stockholders or the holders of any class or series of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding stock, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed, and all corporate powers shall be exercised, by or under the direction of the Board.

SECTION 3.3 Place of Meetings; Order of Business. The directors may hold their meetings and may have an office and keep the books of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided by law, in such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine by resolution. At all meetings of the Board business shall be transacted in such order as shall from time to time be determined by the Chairman of the Board (if any), or in his or her absence by the Chief Executive Officer, or by resolution of the Board.

SECTION 3.4 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such dates, and at such times and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board, such determination to constitute the only notice of such regular meetings to which any director shall be entitled. In the absence of any such determination, such meetings shall be held, upon notice to each director in accordance with this Section 3.4.

SECTION 3.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or, upon the written request of at least a majority of the directors then in office, by the Corporate Secretary, in each case on at least twenty-four (24) hours personal or written notice or on at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice by electronic transmission to each director. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix the place, if any, date and time of the meetings.

SECTION 3.6 Notice. Notice of any regular (if required) or special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at his or her business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail, courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission or orally by telephone. If mailed by first class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered if deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered if the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least 24 hours before such meeting. If by facsimile or electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered if the notice is transmitted at least 24 hours before such meeting. If by telephone or by hand delivery, the notice shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the time set for the meeting and shall be confirmed by facsimile or electronic transmission that is sent promptly thereafter. In the case of a special meeting called by the Chairman of the Board where exigent circumstances are deemed by the Chairman of the Board to exist, notice of such meeting may be given by any of the means described above less than 24 hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these Bylaws, as provided under Section 9.1.

SECTION 3.7 Action by Consent of Board. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, including by electronic transmission. After the action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall

 

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be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, or the committee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Such consent or consents shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting, and may be stated as such in any document or instrument filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 3.8 Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

SECTION 3.9 Quorum. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

SECTION 3.10 Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining director; and any director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until his or her successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

SECTION 4.1 Designation; Powers. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

SECTION 4.2 Procedure; Meetings; Quorum. Any committee designated pursuant to Section 4.1 shall choose its own chairman in the event the chairman has not been selected by the Board by a majority vote of the members then in attendance at a meeting of the committee so long as a quorum is present and shall meet at such times and at such place or places as may be provided by the charter of such committee or by resolution of such committee or resolution of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the members thereof shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting where a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption by it of any resolution.

 

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

SECTION 5.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer and a Corporate Secretary and, if the Board of Directors so elects, a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be designated Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President), a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time elect or appoint. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Except for the Chairman of the Board, if any, no officer need be a director.

SECTION 5.2 Election and Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected or appointed and shall have qualified or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or, except in the case of an officer or agent elected by the Board, by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President, if any. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor, his or her death, his or her resignation or his or her removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

SECTION 5.3 Chairman of the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall perform all duties incidental to his or her office that may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. He or she shall make reports to the Board and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chairman of the Board may also serve as Chief Executive Officer, if so elected by the Board.

SECTION 5.4 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall act in a general executive capacity subject to the oversight of the Chairman of the Board in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, checks, orders, contracts, leases, notes, drafts and all other documents and instruments in connection with the business of the Corporation.

SECTION 5.5 President. The President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if any and if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the Board.

SECTION 5.6 Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents. Each Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board or the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any.

SECTION 5.7 Treasurer. The Treasurer, if any, shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. He or she shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him from time to time by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any.

 

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SECTION 5.8 Corporate Secretary. The Corporate Secretary, if any, shall keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the stockholders; he or she shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by applicable law; he or she shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal; and he or she shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, he or she shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Corporate Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any.

SECTION 5.9 Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any, because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, if any.

SECTION 5.10 Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any officer authorized by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of security holders of or with respect to any action of security holders of any other corporation or entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers that the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

SECTION 5.11 Delegation. The Board may from time to time delegate the powers and duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS

SECTION 6.1 Stock Certificates and Transfers. The interest of each stockholder of the Corporation evidenced by certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the appropriate officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock may be uncertificated shares. The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, which may be maintained by a third-party registrar or transfer agent, by the holder thereof in person or by his or her attorney,

 

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upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require or upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of uncertificated shares and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form, at which time the Corporation shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto (if the stock is then represented by certificates), cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

Each certificated share of stock shall be signed, countersigned and registered in the manner required by law. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

SECTION 6.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. No certificate for shares or uncertificated shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board or any financial officer may in its or his or her discretion require.

SECTION 6.3 Ownership of Shares. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock of the Corporation as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by the laws of the State of Delaware.

SECTION 6.4 Regulations Regarding Certificates. The Board shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations concerning the issue, transfer and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. The Corporation may enter into additional agreements with stockholders to restrict the transfer of stock of the Corporation in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL. The Board may appoint and remove transfer agents and registrars of transfers, and may require all stock certificates to bear the signature of any such transfer agent and/or any such registrar of transfers.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS

SECTION 7.1 The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (as a witness or otherwise) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director, trustee, or officer of the Corporation or, while a director, trustee, or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation

 

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or of a trust, partnership, joint venture, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines (including, without limitation, ERISA excise taxes and penalties) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonable believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

SECTION 7.2 The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, pay the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending or otherwise participating in or appearing at any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (including in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Article VII); provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it shall be ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter, a “final adjudication”) that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise.

SECTION 7.3 To the extent that a current or former director, trustee or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) or (b) of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter thereof, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

SECTION 7.4 The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person seeking indemnification did not act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

SECTION 7.5 The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred upon any current or former director, trustee or officer of the Corporation under this Article VII (whether by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, trustee or officer of the Corporation, or while serving as a director, trustee or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, trustee, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a trust, partnership, joint venture, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan) shall be contract rights, shall vest when such person becomes a director, trustee or officer of the Corporation and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

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SECTION 7.6 If a claim for indemnification under this Article VII (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after the Corporation has received a written claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim, or a claim brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law. In any suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the Covered Person has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. With respect to any suit brought by a Covered Person seeking to enforce a right to indemnification or right to advancement of expenses hereunder or any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), neither (i) the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Covered Person has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Covered Person, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

SECTION 7.7 The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, an agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.

 

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SECTION 7.8 This Article VII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Covered Persons under this Article VII.

SECTION 7.9 The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, trust, partnership, joint venture, or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL, these Bylaws or otherwise.

SECTION 7.10 Any repeal, modification or amendment of this Article VII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Covered Persons on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Any amendment, repeal, modification or adoption that would adversely affect such person’s rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall be ineffective as to such Covered Person, except with respect to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding that relates to or arises from (and only to the extent such proceeding relates to or arises from) any act or omission of such Covered Person occurring after the effective time of such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.

SECTION 7.11 If any provision or provisions of this Article VII shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law (a) the validity, legality, and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Section 7.11 (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Section 7.11 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VII (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the indemnitee to the fullest extent set forth in this Article VII.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 8.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by a resolution of the Board.

SECTION 8.2 Dividends. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of stock, which dividends may be paid in either cash, property or shares of stock of the Corporation. A member of the Board, or a member of any committee designated by the Board, shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

SECTION 8.3 Seal. If the Board determines that the Corporation shall have a corporate seal, the corporate seal shall have such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed, or otherwise reproduced.

SECTION 8.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, including by electronic transmission, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

SECTION 8.5 Facsimile and Electronic Signatures. In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile or electronic signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile or electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board or a committee thereof, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or President (if any).

SECTION 8.6 Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, or by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Board or by any such committee, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the Corporation.

 

12


ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 9.1 Amendments. If provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend and repeal from time to time bylaws of the Corporation, subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect thereto to amend or repeal such bylaws as adopted or amended by the Board.

 

13

Exhibit 10.6

 

 

 

 

LOGO

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

August 20, 2024

among

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC,

FLOWCO PRODUCTIONS LLC,

ESTIS INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC, and

FLOGISTIX INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC

collectively, as Borrowers,

The Loan Parties Party Hereto,

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

and

BANK OZK,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

      

Page

 
ARTICLE I Definitions      2  

Section 1.01.

 

Defined Terms

     2  

Section 1.02.

 

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     55  

Section 1.03.

 

Terms Generally

     55  

Section 1.04.

 

Accounting Terms; GAAP

     56  

Section 1.05.

 

Interest Rates; Benchmark Notifications

     56  

Section 1.06.

 

Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions

     57  

Section 1.07.

 

Status of Obligations

     57  

Section 1.08.

 

Letters of Credit

     58  

Section 1.09.

 

Divisions

     58  
ARTICLE II The Credits      58  

Section 2.01.

 

Commitments

     58  

Section 2.02.

 

Loans and Borrowings

     59  

Section 2.03.

 

Requests for Borrowings

     59  

Section 2.04.

 

Protective Advances

     60  

Section 2.05.

 

Swingline Loans

     61  

Section 2.06.

 

Letters of Credit

     62  

Section 2.07.

 

Funding of Borrowings

     69  

Section 2.08.

 

Interest Elections

     69  

Section 2.09.

 

Termination of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments

     71  

Section 2.10.

 

Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     72  

Section 2.11.

 

Prepayment of Loans

     73  

Section 2.12.

 

Fees

     75  

Section 2.13.

 

Interest

     76  

Section 2.14.

 

Alternate Rate of Interest

     77  

Section 2.15.

 

Increased Costs

     80  

Section 2.16.

 

Break Funding Payments

     81  

Section 2.17.

 

Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up

     82  

Section 2.18.

 

Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Setoffs

     86  

 

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Section 2.19.

 

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     89  

Section 2.20.

 

Defaulting Lenders

     90  

Section 2.21.

 

Returned Payments

     92  

Section 2.22.

 

Banking Services and Swap Agreements

     92  
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties      93  

Section 3.01.

 

Organization; Powers

     93  

Section 3.02.

 

Authorization; Enforceability

     93  

Section 3.03.

 

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     93  

Section 3.04.

 

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect

     93  

Section 3.05.

 

Properties

     94  

Section 3.06.

 

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     94  

Section 3.07.

 

Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default

     95  

Section 3.08.

 

Investment Company Status

     95  

Section 3.09.

 

Taxes

     95  

Section 3.10.

 

ERISA

     95  

Section 3.11.

 

Disclosure

     95  

Section 3.12.

 

Material Agreements

     96  

Section 3.13.

 

Solvency

     96  

Section 3.14.

 

Insurance

     96  

Section 3.15.

 

Capitalization and Subsidiaries

     96  

Section 3.16.

 

Security Interest in Collateral

     97  

Section 3.17.

 

Employment Matters

     97  

Section 3.18.

 

Margin Regulations

     97  

Section 3.19.

 

Use of Proceeds

     97  

Section 3.20.

 

No Burdensome Restrictions

     97  

Section 3.21.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

     98  

Section 3.22.

 

Affiliate Transactions

     98  

Section 3.23.

 

Affected Financial Institutions

     98  

Section 3.24.

 

Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions

     98  
ARTICLE IV Conditions      98  

Section 4.01.

 

Effective Date

     98  

Section 4.02.

 

Each Credit Event

     102  

 

- ii -


ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants      103  

Section 5.01.

 

Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information

     103  

Section 5.02.

 

Notices of Material Events

     108  

Section 5.03.

 

Existence; Conduct of Business

     109  

Section 5.04.

 

Payment of Obligations

     109  

Section 5.05.

 

Maintenance of Properties

     109  

Section 5.06.

 

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     109  

Section 5.07.

 

Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations

     110  

Section 5.08.

 

Use of Proceeds

     110  

Section 5.09.

 

Accuracy of Information

     110  

Section 5.10.

 

Insurance

     111  

Section 5.11.

 

Casualty and Condemnation

     111  

Section 5.12.

 

Appraisals

     111  

Section 5.13.

 

Depository Banks

     111  

Section 5.14.

 

Additional Collateral; Further Assurances

     112  

Section 5.15.

 

Post-Closing Covenant

     113  
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants      114  

Section 6.01.

 

Indebtedness

     114  

Section 6.02.

 

Liens

     116  

Section 6.03.

 

Fundamental Changes

     118  

Section 6.04.

 

Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions

     119  

Section 6.05.

 

Asset Sales

     121  

Section 6.06.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     122  

Section 6.07.

 

Swap Agreements

     122  

Section 6.08.

 

Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness

     122  

Section 6.09.

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     124  

Section 6.10.

 

Restrictive Agreements

     124  

Section 6.11.

 

Amendment of Material Documents; Foreign Subsidiaries

     125  

Section 6.12.

 

Financial Covenants

     125  
ARTICLE VII Events of Default; Right to Cure      125  

Section 7.01.

 

Events of Default

     125  

Section 7.02.

 

Remedies Upon an Event of Default

     128  

Section 7.03.

 

Right to Cure

     129  

 

- iii -


ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent      130  

Section 8.01.

 

Authorization and Action

     130  

Section 8.02.

 

Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc.

     133  

Section 8.03.

 

Posting of Communications

     134  

Section 8.04.

 

The Administrative Agent Individually

     135  

Section 8.05.

 

Successor Administrative Agent

     136  

Section 8.06.

 

Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank

     137  

Section 8.07.

 

Collateral Matters

     139  

Section 8.08.

 

Credit Bidding

     140  

Section 8.09.

 

Certain ERISA Matters

     141  

Section 8.10.

 

Reserved

     143  

Section 8.11.

 

Borrower Communications

     143  
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous      144  

Section 9.01.

 

Notices

     144  

Section 9.02.

 

Waivers; Amendments

     146  

Section 9.03.

 

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     149  

Section 9.04.

 

Successors and Assigns

     152  

Section 9.05.

 

Survival

     156  

Section 9.06.

 

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

     157  

Section 9.07.

 

Severability

     158  

Section 9.08.

 

Right of Setoff

     158  

Section 9.09.

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     159  

Section 9.10.

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     160  

Section 9.11.

 

Headings

     160  

Section 9.12.

 

Confidentiality

     160  

Section 9.13.

 

Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law

     162  

Section 9.14.

 

USA PATRIOT Act

     162  

Section 9.15.

 

Disclosure

     162  

Section 9.16.

 

Appointment for Perfection

     162  

Section 9.17.

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     163  

Section 9.18.

 

Marketing Consent

     163  

Section 9.19.

 

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions

     163  

Section 9.20.

 

No Fiduciary Duty, etc.

     163  

 

- iv -


Section 9.21.

 

Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs

     164  

Section 9.22.

 

Joint and Several

     165  

Section 9.23.

 

Amendment and Restatement

     166  
ARTICLE X Loan Guaranty      167  

Section 10.01.

 

Guaranty

     167  

Section 10.02.

 

Guaranty of Payment

     167  

Section 10.03.

 

No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty

     167  

Section 10.04.

 

Defenses Waived

     168  

Section 10.05.

 

Rights of Subrogation

     168  

Section 10.06.

 

Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration

     169  

Section 10.07.

 

Information

     169  

Section 10.08.

 

Termination

     169  

Section 10.09.

 

Taxes

     169  

Section 10.10.

 

Maximum Liability

     169  

Section 10.11.

 

Contribution

     170  

Section 10.12.

 

Liability Cumulative

     170  

Section 10.13.

 

Keepwell

     171  
ARTICLE XI The Borrower Representative      171  

Section 11.01.

 

Appointment; Nature of Relationship

     171  

Section 11.02.

 

Powers

     171  

Section 11.03.

 

Employment of Agents

     171  

Section 11.04.

 

Notices

     171  

Section 11.05.

 

Successor Borrower Representative

     171  

Section 11.06.

 

Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate

     171  

 

- v -


SCHEDULES:

 

Commitment Schedule
Schedule 3.05      Properties
Schedule 3.06      Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.12      Material Agreements
Schedule 3.14      Insurance
Schedule 3.15      Capitalization and Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.22      Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 6.01      Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02      Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04      Existing Investments
Schedule 6.10      Existing Restrictions
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A      Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B      Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C      Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D      Joinder Agreement
Exhibit E-1      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-2      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-3      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E-4      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

- vi -


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 20, 2024 (as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) among FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as a Borrower (“Parent Borrower”), FLOWCO PRODUCTIONS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as a Borrower (“Flowco”), ESTIS INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as a Borrower (“Estis”), FLOGISTIX INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as a Borrower (“Flogistix”), the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Lenders party hereto (the “Lenders”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Estis Compression, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (as used in these recitals and Section 9.23, the “Existing Estis Borrower”), Estis, certain other Loan Parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto (the “Existing Estis Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Existing Estis Agent”), are party to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2019 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Estis Credit Agreement”) whereby the Existing Estis Lenders made certain loans (collectively, the “Existing Estis Loans”) to, and issued letters of credit for the account of (together with the Existing Estis Loans collectively, the “Existing Estis Aggregate Credit Exposure”), the Existing Estis Borrower, which Existing Estis Aggregate Credit Exposure is secured by Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents (as defined in the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and referred to herein as the “Existing Estis Security Documents”);

WHEREAS, Flogistix, LP, a Texas limited partnership, and the other borrowers party thereto (as used in these recitals and Section 9.23, the “Existing Flogistix Borrowers”, and together with the Existing Estis Borrower, the “Existing Borrowers”), Flogistix, certain other Loan Parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto (the “Existing Flogistix Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Existing Flogistix Agent”, and together with the Existing Estis Agent, the “Existing Agents” and each an “Existing Agent”), are party to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2015 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Flogistix Credit Agreement”, and together with the Existing Estis Credit Agreement, the “Existing Credit Agreements” and each an “Existing Credit Agreement”) whereby the Existing Flogistix Lenders made certain loans (collectively, the “Existing Flogistix Loans”, and together with the Existing Estis Loans, the “Existing Loans”) to, and issued letters of credit for the account of (together with the Existing Flogistix Loans collectively, the “Existing Flogistix Aggregate Credit Exposure”), the Existing Flogistix Borrowers, which Existing Flogistix Aggregate Credit Exposure is secured by Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents (as defined in the Existing Flogistix Credit Agreement and, together with the Existing Estis Security Documents, the “Existing Security Documents”);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers (as defined below) and the other Loan Parties party hereto have requested that the Lenders provide a credit facility to the Borrowers to finance their mutual and collective business enterprise and that the Existing Estis Loans outstanding on the date hereof be continued as Loans hereunder;

 

- 1 -


WHEREAS, the Lenders party hereto are willing to continue the Existing Estis Loans made to the Existing Estis Borrower under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement as Loans to the account of the Borrowers, respectively, hereunder, subject to the Liens granted pursuant to the Existing Estis Security Documents to secure the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Existing Estis Credit Agreement) as Liens securing the Secured Obligations hereunder, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement or constitute a repayment of any such obligations and liabilities and that this Agreement shall amend and restate the Existing Estis Credit Agreement in its entirety.

NOW, THEREFORE, 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 (a) a rate of interest, refers to the Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate or the Alternate Base Rate, as applicable, and (b) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate or the Alternate Base Rate, as applicable.

Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which any Loan Party (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.

Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple SOFR, plus (b) 0.100%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.

Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate” (i) means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the REVSOFR30 Rate plus (b) 0.100%; provided that (x) if the Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and (y) if the REVSOFR30 Rate shall not be available, then the

 

- 2 -


Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate shall be equal to the Alternate Base Rate (unless an alternate rate is established in accordance with Section 2.14); and (ii) 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 REVSOFR30 Rate.

Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.100%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereunder.

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.

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 specified Person.

Agent-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(d).

Aggregate Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders, as increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment is $700,000,000.

Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Allocable Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.11(b).

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 12 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the

 

- 3 -


Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.14(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Applicable Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(c).

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Commitment (provided that, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at that time), and (b) with respect to Protective Advances or with respect to the Aggregate Revolving Exposure, a percentage based upon its share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and the unused Commitments; provided that, solely with respect to the reallocation set forth in Section 2.20(d), so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculations under clauses (a) and (b) above.

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any 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 “Revolver ABR / Alternate Base Rate Spread”, “Revolver ABR / REVSOFR30 Spread”, or “Revolver Term Benchmark Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Total Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date, provided that the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 2 during the period from the Effective Date to, and including, the last day of the fiscal quarter of Parent Borrower in which the Effective Date occurs:

 

Category

  

Total Leverage

Ratio

  

Revolver ABR /

Alternate Base

Rate Spread

  

Revolver ABR /

REVSOFR30

Spread

  

Revolver Term

Benchmark

Spread

1

   ≤ 2.0x    0.75%    1.75%    1.75%

2

   >2.0x but ≤ 2.5x    1.00%    2.00%    2.00%

3

   >2.5x but ≤ 3.0x    1.25%    2.25%    2.25%

4

   >3.0x    1.50%    2.50%    2.50%

 

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For purposes of the foregoing, (a) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of Parent Borrower based upon Parent Borrower’s annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) and (b) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on the first (1st) Business Day of the month following the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 4 at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders if the Borrowers fail to deliver the annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.

If at any time the financial statements upon which the Applicable Rate was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), or any ratio or compliance information in a Compliance Certificate or other certification was incorrectly calculated, relied on incorrect information or was otherwise not accurate, true or correct, and, as a result of each of the foregoing, such event would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Rate for any period, the Borrowers shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrowers would have been required to pay if such financial statements, Compliance Certificate or other information had been accurate and/or computed correctly at the time they were delivered.

Approved Borrower Portal” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(a).

Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(a).

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

Approved Jurisdiction” means each of Mexico, Oman, and each other country or territory designated as an “Approved Jurisdiction” by the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in its reasonable discretion).

Arrangers” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Bank of America, N.A. and Bank OZK in their capacities as join bookrunners and joint lead arrangers hereunder.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement 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 (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base minus (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings) minus (c) availability Reserves established by the Administrative Agent, all as determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, (provided that (i) any availability Reserves shall not be duplicative of any Borrowing Base Reserves, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall not establish availability Reserves solely as a result of the post-closing obligation set forth in Section 5.15(b), and (iii) (A) any availability Reserves established by the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date or (B) a change

 

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in the amount of any availability Reserves established by the Administrative Agent, in each case, shall be effective without notice to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent; provided however that no availability Reserves established after the Effective Date shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such Reserves; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such Reserves, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such Reserves).

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 (and, if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day).

Availability Trigger Threshold” means, on any date, the greater of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base on such date and (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment on such date.

Available Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment minus the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings).

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement 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 clause (e) of Section 2.14.

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).

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

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Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

Banking Services Reserves” means all Reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Banking Services then provided or outstanding (provided that (i) any Banking Services Reserves established by the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date or (ii) a change in the amount of any Banking Services Reserves established by the Administrative Agent, in each case, shall be effective without notice to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent; provided however that, no Banking Services Reserves established after the Effective Date shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such Reserves; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such Reserves, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such Reserves).

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary 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 or has had any order for relief in such proceeding entered in respect thereof, 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 or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the U.S. or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (i) RFR Loan, the Daily Simple SOFR, (ii) Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan, the REVSOFR30 Rate, or (iii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Daily Simple SOFR, the REVSOFR30 Rate or Term SOFR 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 clause (b) of Section 2.14.

 

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Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(1) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; or

(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor 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 for the then-current Benchmark for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such 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 Representative for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) 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 on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) 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 dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan or Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides (in consultation with the Borrower Representative ) may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the 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 Representative ) that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines (in consultation with the Borrower Representative ) that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

 

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Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) 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

(2) in the case of clause (3) 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 or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) have been, determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (3) and even if such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) 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, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1) 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 such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

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(2) 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 Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, 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), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, 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 such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(3) 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 such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer 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 Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control 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 Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations 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”.

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and as interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Borrower” or “Borrowers” means, individually and collectively, Parent Borrower, Estis, Flogistix and Flowco.

 

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Borrower Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01.

Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Swingline Borrowing, and (c) a Protective Advance.

Borrowing Base” means, at any time, the sum of (a) 85.0% of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Eligible Accounts (other than Eligible Investment Grade Accounts) at such time, plus (b) 90.0% of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Eligible Investment Grade Accounts at such time, plus (c) 85.0% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Eligible Inventory (including, for avoidance of doubt, Eligible Finished Goods and Eligible Raw Materials) at such time, plus (d) the Rental Compressor Fleet Component, plus (d) the M&E Component; minus (e) Reserves (provided that (i) any such Reserves shall not be duplicative with respect to any items that are addressed through eligibility criteria and (ii)(A) any Reserves established by the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date or (B) a change in the amount of any Reserves established by the Administrative Agent, in each case, shall be effective without notice to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent; provided however that no Reserves established after the Effective Date shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such Reserves; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such Reserves, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such Reserves). The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion adjust Reserves (the effectiveness thereof being subject to the advance notice period and pro forma restriction on Borrowings provided for in the preceding sentence) or reduce one or more of the other elements used in computing the Borrowing Base.

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10.

Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall be any such day that is only a U.S. Government Securities Business Day (a) in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings of such RFR Loan and (b) in relation to Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate.

 

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Capital Expenditures” means, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all calculations of Capital Expenditures shall be calculated, determined and adjusted to exclude, for any applicable period or date of determination, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset of any Foreign Subsidiary determined in accordance with GAAP for such period or date of determination.

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 or financing leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Dominion Period” means the period (a) commencing on any day that either (i) an Event of Default occurs and is continuing or (ii) Availability falls below the Availability Trigger Threshold, and (b) continuing until the first date on which (i) Availability has been greater than or equal to the Availability Trigger Threshold during each of the preceding thirty (30) consecutive days and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing during each of the preceding thirty (30) consecutive days.

Change in Control” means:

(a) at any time prior to the Parent IPO, (i) Permitted Investors shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, at least 50% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of Parent Borrower on a fully diluted basis or (ii) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party by any Person or group other than Permitted Investors; and

(b) at any time from and after the Parent IPO, (i) any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Investors, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Securities Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Equity Interests of Pubco Parent (A) having more than 35% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Pubco Parent and (B) such ordinary voting power shall be more than that held by the Permitted Investors; (ii) Parent Borrower shall cease to directly or indirectly own, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances (other than Liens permitted under this Agreement), 100% of the outstanding voting and economic Equity Interests of each other Borrower on a fully diluted basis; (iii) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Pubco Parent by Persons who were not (A) directors of Pubco Parent on the date of the Parent IPO, (B) nominated or appointed for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of Pubco Parent or (C) approved for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of Pubco Parent as director candidates prior to their election; or (iv) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of any Borrower or any other Loan Party by any Person or group other than Permitted Investors, Parent Borrower, Pubco Parent, Pubco Parent’s direct, wholly-owned Subsidiaries or Parent Borrower’s direct, wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Parent IPO shall not constitute a Change in Control.

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (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) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements 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, issued or implemented.

Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances.

CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Collateral” means any and all property owned, leased or operated by a Person covered by the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be, become or be intended to be, subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders and other Secured Parties, to secure all or any part of the Secured Obligations; provided that the Collateral shall not include any Excluded Collateral.

Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

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Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, any pledge or other security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or any other Person for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, financing statements and all other written matter whether theretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent in order to provide security for the Secured Obligations.

Collection Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Security Agreement.

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the commitment of such Lender to acquire participations in Protective Advances hereunder. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation or record (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(70) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code) as provided in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C), pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.

Commitment Fee Rate” means a rate per annum equal to (a) 0.375% if the average daily Aggregate Revolving Exposure for such quarter is greater than or equal to 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (b) 0.50% if the average daily Aggregate Revolving Exposure for such quarter is less than 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment.

Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(c).

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative in substantially the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

Compression Units” means completed Compressor Packages of the Borrower or any other Loan Party held by such Person, for use by such Person in providing compression services to its customers in the ordinary course of business, as evidenced by such Compressor Packages either then being or previously having been used by such Person in providing compression services under a service contract with a customer or designated by such Person for use under an executory contract for services with a customer.

Compressor Packages” means natural gas compression equipment generally consisting of an engineered package of major serial numbered components including an engine, compressor, compressor cylinders, natural gas and engine jacket cooler, control devices and ancillary piping mounted on a metal skid.

 

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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.

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.

Controlled Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (including, without limitation, any fund or investment vehicle) that (i) directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified and (ii) is organized primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies.

Corresponding Tenor with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Covered Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.21.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

Cure Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.03.

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day, a “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to

 

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the Borrowers. If by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately following any SOFR Determination Date, SOFR in respect of such SOFR Determination Date has not been published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple SOFR has not occurred, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Date will be SOFR as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

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.

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

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, (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 clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent 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, (b) has notified any 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 request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations as of the date of certification) 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 such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.

Deposit Account Control Agreement” means an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, by and among any Loan Party, a banking institution holding such Loan Party’s funds, and the Administrative Agent with respect to collection and control of all deposits and balances held in a Deposit Account maintained by such Loan Party with such banking institution.

Deposit Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Designated Quarter” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.03.

Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits, proceedings and environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

 

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Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of any property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of such Person), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that, by its terms, or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other equity interests, in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the Maturity Date; provided that, the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) shall not apply to (i) a redemption, conversion or exchange into equity interests that do not themselves constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, (ii) any offer to redeem or repurchase made in connection with a Change in Control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon such asset sale shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Secured Obligations and the termination of all Commitments, or (iii) Equity Interests that are issued pursuant to a plan for the benefit of future, current or former employees, directors, or officers of the Borrowers or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, directors or officers solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Borrowers or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s or officer’s termination, death or disability.

Dividing Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Division.”

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the U.S.

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is (i) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) is not a Subsidiary of a Controlled Foreign Subsidiary and (iii) is not a FSHCO.

EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense for such period net of tax refunds, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any extraordinary non-cash

 

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charges for such period, (v) any other non-cash charges for such period (including, for the avoidance of doubt, stock-based compensation, but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Net Income in a prior period and any non-cash charge that relates to the write-down or write-off of inventory), (vi) management fees and expenses (which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, fees and expenses of any Permitted Investor), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in any fiscal year, (vii) fees and expenses in connection with (1) the execution and delivery by the Borrowers of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and any amendment, waiver, or other modification thereof) incurred during the calendar year ending December 31, 2024, (2) the Pre-Closing Restructuring and the execution and delivery by the Borrowers of any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and the Existing Flogistix Credit Agreement incurred during the calendar year ending December 31, 2024 and (3) the Parent IPO (and transactions undertaken in connection therewith) incurred during the calendar years ending December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, (viii) non-cash losses, expenses or charges, (ix) costs and expenses associated with any Permitted Acquisition, merger, Permitted Investment, Disposition or incurrence of permitted Indebtedness, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year, and (x) non-cash asset impairment charges, minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income, (i) any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges described in clause (a)(v) above taken in a prior period and (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all calculations of EBITDA shall be calculated, determined and adjusted to exclude, for any applicable period or date of determination, any income, loss, results of operations, deduction, charge or other adjustments with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, except, without duplication, for any amounts of any Foreign Subsidiary that are actually received in cash by a Loan Party and included in such Loan Party’s Net Income, determined (x) in accordance with GAAP for such period or date of determination and (y) on a Pro Forma Basis in accordance with Section 1.06.

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

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Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for such Borrower and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts of a Borrower or any other Loan Party that the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit; provided that no modifications to the eligibility criteria of Eligible Accounts shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such modification; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such eligibility criteria modifications, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such eligibility criteria modification.

Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account:

(a) that is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b) that is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) (x) that is owing by any Account Debtor other than a Specified Account Debtor, (i) with respect to which the scheduled due date is more than sixty (60) days after the date of the original invoice thereof, (ii) that is unpaid for more than ninety (90) days after the date of the original invoice therefor, or (iii) that has been written off the books of such Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise designated as uncollectible or (y) that is owing by any Specified Account Debtor, (i) the scheduled due date of which is more than (90) days after the date of the original invoice or (ii) that is unpaid for more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the original invoice therefor;

(d) that is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than fifty percent (50%) of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible hereunder;

 

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(e) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to such Borrower or any other Loan Party exceeds (i) with respect to any Account that is owing by any Account Debtor other than a Specified Account Debtor, twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate Eligible Accounts or (ii) with respect to any Account that is owing by any Specified Account Debtor thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate Eligible Accounts;

(f) with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true after giving effect to any materiality qualifier contained therein;

(g) that (i) does not arise from the sale, lease or rental of goods or performance of services in the applicable Loan Party’s ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by a customary invoice or other customary documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon such Borrower’s or any other Loan Party’s completion of any further performance, (v) represents a guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (vi) relates to payments of interest;

(h) for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been completed and billed or for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by such Borrower or any other Loan Party within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice or if such Account was invoiced more than once;

(i) with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason (other than administrative, procedural or clerical error) and such check or instrument of payment is not promptly reissued (or the payment thereunder is not made in another fashion);

(j) that is owed by an Account Debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws, (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business, in each case, unless such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent;

(k) that is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or substantially all of its assets and retains no liabilities therewith;

(l) that is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S. or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S., any state of the U.S., or the District of Columbia, Canada, or any province of Canada unless, in any such case, such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent;

 

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(m) that is owed in any currency other than U.S. dollars;

(n) that is owed by (i) any government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the U.S. or Canada unless such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, (ii) any government of the U.S., or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction or (iii) any government of Canada, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Financial Administration Act (Canada), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(o) that is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;

(p) that is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness, or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

(q) that is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute (other than in the ordinary course of business);

(r) that is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument (unless determined acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion);

(s) that is owed by an Account Debtor (i) located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit such Borrower or any other Loan Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless such Borrower or another Loan Party has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) which is a Sanctioned Person;

(t) with respect to which such Borrower or any other Loan Party has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business, or any Account which was partially paid and such Borrower or any other Loan Party created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

 

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(u) that does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether Federal, state or local, including without limitation the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Federal Reserve Board;

(v) that is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than such Borrower or any other Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than such Borrower or any other Loan Party as payee or remittance party; or

(w) that was created on cash on delivery terms.

In the event that an Account of a Borrower which was previously an Eligible Account ceases to be an Eligible Account hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate. In determining the amount of an Eligible Account of a Borrower, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that such Borrower or any other Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by such Borrower or any other Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Account.

Eligible Appraised Rental Compressor Fleet” means, at any time, Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet (excluding tooling and set up costs, sales Taxes and other soft costs), whether held or deployed by a Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business, which is included in the most recent appraisal ordered and received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(p) or Section 5.12.

Eligible Equipment” means the Equipment owned by a Borrower and meeting each of the following requirements; provided that no modifications to the eligibility criteria of Eligible Equipment shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such modification; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such eligibility criteria modifications, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such eligibility criteria modification:

(a) such Borrower has good title to such Equipment;

(b) such Borrower has the right to subject such Equipment to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) such Equipment is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and is free and clear of all other Liens of any nature whatsoever (except for Permitted Encumbrances which do not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent);

 

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(d) the full purchase price for such Equipment has been paid by such Borrower;

(e) such Equipment is located on premises (i) owned by such Borrower or any other Loan Party, or (ii) leased by such Borrower or any other Loan Party where (x) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (y) a Reserve for rent, charges, and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

(f) such Equipment is in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and is used or held for use by such Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business of such Borrower or the applicable Loan Party;

(g) such Equipment (i) is not subject to any agreement which restricts the ability of such Borrower to use, sell, transport or dispose of such Equipment or which restricts the Administrative Agent’s ability to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of such Equipment and (ii) has not been purchased from a Sanctioned Person; and

(h) such Equipment does not constitute “Fixtures” under the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such Equipment is located.

In the event that Equipment of a Borrower which was previously Eligible Equipment ceases to be Eligible Equipment hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.

Eligible Finished Goods” means, Eligible Inventory constituting finished goods to be sold by a Borrower in the ordinary course of business of such Borrower, excluding Eligible Raw Materials of such Borrower.

Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory of a Borrower or any other Loan Party which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit; provided that no modifications to the eligibility criteria of Eligible Inventory shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such modification; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such eligibility criteria modifications, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such eligibility criteria modification.

 

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Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Inventory shall not include any Inventory:

(a) that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b) that is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) that is, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used, unfit for sale, not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;

(d) with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true in any material respect (without duplication of any material qualifier contained therein) and which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e) in which any Person other than such Borrower or any other Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(f) that is not finished goods or which constitutes work-in-process, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(g) that is not located in the U.S. or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;

(h) that is located in any location leased by such Borrower or any other Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

(i) that is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and is not evidenced by a Document, unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

(j) that is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from such third party location or outside processor;

 

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(k) that is a discontinued product or component thereof;

(l) that is the subject of a consignment by such Borrower or any other Loan Party as consignor;

(m) that is perishable;

(n) that contains or bears any Intellectual Property rights licensed to such Borrower or any other Loan Party unless the Administrative Agent is satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(o) that is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of such Borrower or any other Loan Party;

(p) for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller; or

(q) that has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person.

In the event that Inventory of a Borrower which was previously Eligible Inventory ceases to be Eligible Inventory hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.

Eligible Investment Grade Account” means an Eligible Account that is owed by an Investment Grade Account Debtor.

Eligible New Rental Compressor Fleet” means, at any time, Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet (excluding tooling and set up costs, sales Taxes and other soft costs), whether held or deployed by a Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business, which is not included in the most recent appraisal ordered and received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(p) or Section 5.12.

Eligible Raw Materials” means, Eligible Inventory of a Borrower constituting raw materials used or consumed by a Borrower in the ordinary course of business in the manufacture or production of other inventory, excluding Eligible Finished Goods of such Borrower.

Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet” means, at any time, the Compression Units of the Loan Parties which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit; provided that no modifications to the eligibility criteria of Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet shall be effective unless written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Borrower Representative in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such modification; provided further that, during the period following such notice and prior to the effective date of such eligibility criteria modifications, the Borrowers shall not request and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Borrowing unless Lenders would be obligated to fund such Borrowing after giving pro forma effect to such eligibility criteria modification.

 

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Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet shall not include any Compression Unit:

(a) that is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b) that is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) that (i) was not purchased from a Loan Party or Affiliate thereof and (ii) the full purchase price thereof has not been paid;

(d) with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true in any material respect (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) and which does not conform in all material respects to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e) that is not located in the United States or Canada or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;

(f) in which any Person other than such Borrower or any other Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Compression Unit as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(g) that is located in any location leased by such Borrower or the applicable Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion (but only to the extent that such location is located in a landlord’s lien priming jurisdiction and such Reserve shall not exceed an amount equal to two (2) months’ rent for such location); provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to any Compression Units that is located at any jobsite of customers of such Borrower or the applicable Loan Party;

(h) that is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and is not evidenced by a Document unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

(i) for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

 

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(j) that has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person;

(k) that is not in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) or is not used or held for use by such Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

(l) that (i) is subject to any agreement which restricts the ability of such Borrower or any other Loan Party to use, sell, transport or dispose of such Compression Unit or which restricts the Administrative Agent’s ability to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of such Compression Unit and (ii) has been purchased from a Sanctioned Person; or

(m) that constitutes “Fixtures” under the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such Compression Unit is located.

In the event that any Compression Unit of a Borrower which was previously Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet ceases to be Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.

Enhanced Reporting Period” means the period (a) commencing on any day that (i) a Specified Event of Default occurs or (ii) Availability falls below the Availability Trigger Threshold, and (b) continuing until the first date on which (i) Availability has been greater than or equal to the Availability Trigger Threshold during each of the preceding thirty (30) consecutive days and (ii) no Specified Event of Default has occurred or is continuing during each of the preceding thirty (30) consecutive days.

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (i) the environment, (ii) preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (iii) the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or (iv) the protection of human health and safety with respect to Hazardous Materials.

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any 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.

Equipment” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

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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 of the foregoing, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.

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 a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA 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) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived with respect to a Plan; (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 any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA as a result of the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC of any written notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, in each case, pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA; (f) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate 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 in critical status (within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA); or (g) the withdrawal by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan with two or more contributing sponsors, resulting in liability to any Borrower (including contingent liability as a result of an ERISA Affiliate) pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA.

Estis” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to the Agreement.

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.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Excluded Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

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

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any

 

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thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f); and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Extended Letter of Credit” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c).

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate, provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Borrower or an authorized signatory of such Borrower that has similar responsibilities.

 

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Financial Statements” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.01.

Fitch” means, collectively, Fitch Ratings, Inc. and any of its successors-in-interest.

Fixtures” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Flogistix” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to the Agreement.

Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be 0%.

Flowco” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to the Agreement.

Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

Foreign Subsidiary” and “Foreign Subsidiaries” means, individually and collectively (as context requires), any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary. As of the Effective Date, the Foreign Subsidiaries include (a) Flogistix ULC, an Alberta unlimited liability corporation, (b) Flowco Production Solutions Canada Ltd., an Alberta limited company, (c) Flogistix Global OBU LLC, an Oman limited liability company, and (d) Flogistix de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a Mexico corporation.

FSHCO” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) that owns no material assets other than equity interests of one or more Controlled Foreign Subsidiaries.

Funded Indebtedness” of any Loan Party (excluding the Foreign Subsidiaries) means, without duplication, the sum of the following: (a) all Indebtedness that is classified as “long-term indebtedness” on a balance sheet of such Loan Party prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP and any current maturities and other principal amount in respect of such Indebtedness due within one year but which was classified as “long-term indebtedness” at the creation thereof and (b) Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (c) (but excluding preferred stock (other than Disqualified Equity Interests)), (d), (e), (f) (solely to the extent such party has assumed the debt thereby secured), (g), (h), (i) (solely to the extent of unreimbursed amounts) and (m) in the definition of “Indebtedness”; provided that Shareholder Loans shall not be included in “Funded Indebtedness”, so long as (i) the principal amount of such Shareholder Loans, when added to the aggregate principal amount of other Shareholder Loans outstanding, is less than or equal to $7,500,000, (ii) interest on such Shareholder Loan is paid-in-kind, (iii) there are no scheduled payments of principal on such Shareholder Loan, (iv) the maturity date of such Shareholder Loan is at least six (6) months after the Maturity Date, (v) such Shareholder Loan is unsecured and (vi) such Shareholder Loan is subordinated to the Secured Obligations pursuant to a subordination agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Funding Account” and “Funding Accounts” have the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 4.01(h).

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the U.S., 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.

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 or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition or other transaction in the ordinary course of business.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

Guarantors” means, collectively, all Loan Guarantors, and the term “Guarantor” means each or any one of them individually.

Hazardous Materials” means: (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic materials,” “toxic waste,” or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person,

 

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(e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) 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, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (k) obligations under any earn-out (which for all purposes of this Agreement, other than the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio, shall be valued at the maximum potential amount payable with respect to each such earn-out and, with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio, shall be valued in accordance with GAAP), (l) obligations, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Swap Agreements, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction and (m) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

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 the foregoing clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.

Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the product of EBITDA for the period of three consecutive calendar months ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a calendar month, ended on the last day of the calendar month most recently ended prior to such date), multiplied by four, to (b) the product of Interest Expense for the period of three consecutive calendar months ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a calendar month, ended on the last day of the calendar month most recently ended prior to such date), multiplied by four.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08.

 

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Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the first Business Day of each calendar month and the Maturity Date; provided that, if the Effective Date occurs after the fifteenth day of the applicable calendar month, the first Interest Payment Date shall be the first Business Day of the second calendar month following the Effective Date, (b) with respect to any RFR Loan, (1) each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Borrowing of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month) and (2) the Maturity Date, and (c) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part (and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period) and the Maturity Date.

Interest Period” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment), as the Borrower Representative may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (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, and (c) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.14(e) shall be available for specification in such Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Investment Grade Account Debtor” means, at any time, means any Account Debtor that has an issuer rating (or has a direct or indirect parent entity that has an issuer rating) of BBB- (or then equivalent grade) or better by S&P or Fitch, or Baa3 (or then equivalent grade) or better by Moody’s.

Investments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04 of this Agreement.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

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Issuing Bank” means, individually and collectively, each of JPMCB and any other Revolving Lender from time to time designated by the Borrower Representative as an Issuing Bank (in each case, through itself or through one of its designated affiliates or branch offices), with the consent of such Revolving Lender and the Administrative Agent, each in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder and its respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Letters of Credit). At any time there is more than one Issuing Bank, all singular references to the Issuing Bank shall mean any Issuing Bank, either Issuing Bank, each Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or both (or all) Issuing Banks, as the context may require.

Issuing Bank Sublimit” means, as of the Effective Date, (i) $20,000,000, in the case of JPMCB and (ii) such amount as shall be designated to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing by an Issuing Bank; provided that any Issuing Bank shall be permitted at any time to increase its Issuing Bank Sublimit upon providing five (5) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative.

Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit D.

JPMCB” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and its successors.

LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

LC Disbursement” means any payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all standby Letters of Credit outstanding at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to standby Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed (or cash collateralized) by or on behalf of a Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Lender-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Lenders” means the Persons listed on the Commitment Schedule (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09 or an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks.

 

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Letter of Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

Liabilities” means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.

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, (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 and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

Line of Business” means the business of providing vapor recovery, production optimization, compression and artificial lift services and any business activities that are substantially similar, related, or incidental thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit Agreement, the Collateral Documents, each Compliance Certificate, the Loan Guaranty and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower Representative and an Issuing Bank regarding such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the applicable Borrower and an Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance by such Issuing Bank of Letters of Credit, and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.

Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers, the Borrowers’ Subsidiaries party to this Agreement as of the Effective Date, the Borrower’s future Material Domestic Subsidiaries and any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and their respective successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require; provided that, for avoidance of doubt, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be a “Loan Party”.

 

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Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans and Protective Advances.

Lock Box Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Lock Boxes” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

M&E Component” means, at the time of any determination, an amount equal to the least of (a) 85.0% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of the Borrowers’ Eligible Equipment less Reserves established by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, and (b) 10.0% of the Borrowing Base inclusive of the lesser of the foregoing clause (a); provided that, the amount included in the M&E Component shall be reduced, on the date any item of Eligible Equipment ceases to be Eligible Equipment for any reason (including as a result of any sale, transfer or other disposition therefor or any casualty or condemnation with respect thereto), by the amount then included in the M&E Component with respect to such item of Eligible Equipment.

Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X, as applicable.

Market Capitalization” means an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests of Pubco Parent (or the applicable public filing entity) and its Subsidiaries on the date of the declaration of the relevant Restricted Payment multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of the common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests of Pubco Parent (or the applicable public filing entity) and its Subsidiaries for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or financial condition of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform any of its Obligations, or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Domestic Subsidiary that either (i) owns or holds assets with an aggregate value greater than 2.5% of the aggregate value of all the assets of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis or (ii) has gross revenues in excess of 2.5% of the gross revenues of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, in each case, based on the most recent consolidated financial statements of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 5.01, as applicable; provided that if (x) the aggregate value of all the assets of all Domestic Subsidiaries that would not constitute Material Domestic Subsidiaries exceeds 5.0% of the aggregate value of all of the assets of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, or (y) the gross revenues of all Domestic Subsidiaries that would not constitute Material Domestic Subsidiaries exceeds 5.0% of the gross revenues of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, then, in either case, the Borrower Representative shall designate sufficient additional Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement

 

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constitute Material Domestic Subsidiaries (and, if the Borrower Representative fails to make such designation within ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of such consolidated balance sheet to the Administrative Agent, additional Domestic Subsidiaries shall be deemed designated as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, with such designation to be made to Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on the aggregate value of their assets or their gross revenues).

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 Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $30,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of a Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Maturity Date” means August 20, 2029 or any earlier date on which the Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and that is contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Borrower has any liability, contingent or otherwise (including contingent liability as a result of an ERISA Affiliate).

Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions, and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory, Compression Units, Equipment or intangibles of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof as determined in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, by reference to the most recent appraisal undertaken by an appraiser acceptable to the Administrative Agent, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.

 

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Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any Prepayment Event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such Prepayment Event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such Prepayment Event, (ii) in the case of a Disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, including accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any premiums payable with respect thereto, (iii) the amount of all Taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable, including, without duplication, Permitted Tax Distributions payable with respect to such event) and the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer) and (iv) amounts provided as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities under any indemnification obligation or purchase price adjustment associated with such Prepayment Event (provided that to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Proceeds).

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect,

 

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joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

Organizational Document” means, with respect to any Person, the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Original Indebtedness” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.01(f).

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, Letter of Credit or any Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or 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 made pursuant to Section 2.19).

Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

Paid in Full” or “Payment in Full” means, (i) the payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (ii) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup standby letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 105% of the LC Exposure as of the date of such payment), (iii) the payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, (iv) the payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (v) the termination of all Commitments, and (vi) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations (other than Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations with respect to which other arrangements satisfactory to each applicable provider of Swap Agreement Obligations and/or the Banking Services Obligations have been made).

 

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Parent Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Parent IPO” means the issuance by Pubco Parent of its common Equity Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act; provided that such issuance shall yield minimum gross proceeds of not less than $150,000,000.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.06(d).

Payment Conditions” shall be deemed to be satisfied with respect to an action or proposed action if:

(a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately after giving effect to such action or proposed action;

(b) immediately after giving effect to and at all times during the 30-day period (or if less, the number of days that have elapsed since the Effective Date) immediately prior to such action or proposed action, the Borrowers shall (1) have Availability calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such action or proposed action of not less than the greater of (A) 10% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Borrowing Base and (B) $65,000,000, and (2) be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such action or proposed action with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.12; and

(c) with respect to any utilization of Payment Conditions under this Agreement in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000, the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying as to the items described in clauses (a) and (b) above and attaching calculations for clause (b).

Payment Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.06(d).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to in ERISA and established under Section 4002 of ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a) such Acquisition is not a hostile or contested acquisition;

(b) the business acquired in connection with such Acquisition is (i) located in the U.S., Canada or any other Approved Jurisdiction, (ii) organized under applicable U.S. and state laws, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or any Approved Jurisdiction and (iii) engaged in the Line of Business;

 

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(c) both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and the Loans (if any) requested to be made in connection therewith, each of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) (except (i) any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date, in which case such representation or warranty is true and correct as of such specified prior date, and (ii) to the extent the Lenders have been notified in writing by the Loan Parties that any representation or warranty is not correct and the Lenders have explicitly waived in writing compliance with such representation or warranty) and no Default exists, will exist, or would result therefrom;

(d) as soon as available, but not less than five (5) Business Days (or such shorter time period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower Representative has provided the Administrative Agent (i) notice of such Acquisition. (ii) documentation relating to such Acquisition and (iii) a copy of all business and financial information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent including pro forma financial statements, statements of cash flow, and Availability projections;

(e) if the Accounts, Compression Units, Equipment and Inventory acquired in connection with such Acquisition are proposed to be included in the determination of the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent shall have conducted an audit and field examination of such Accounts, Compression Units, Equipment and Inventory, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, such Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower and a Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

(g) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets, such Acquisition is structured so that a Borrower or any other Loan Party shall acquire such assets;

(h) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulation U;

(i) if such Acquisition involves a merger or a consolidation involving a Borrower or any other Loan Party, such Borrower or such Loan Party, as applicable, shall be the surviving entity;

(j) no Loan Party shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(k) in connection with an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, all Liens on property of such Person shall be terminated unless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion consent otherwise, and in connection with an Acquisition of the assets of any Person, all Liens on such assets shall be terminated;

(l) the Payment Conditions shall be satisfied;

 

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(m) all actions required to be taken with respect to any newly acquired or formed Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable, required under Section 5.14 shall have been taken; and

(n) the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent the final executed documentation relating to such Acquisition within five (5) Business Days following the consummation thereof.

Permitted Discretion” means the commercially reasonable judgment (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) of the Administrative Agent exercised in good faith in accordance with customary business practices for comparable asset-based lending transactions.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Section 7.01;

(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business;

(h) rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions incurred in connection with the maintenance of such Deposit Accounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(i) Liens that are replacements of Permitted Encumbrances to the extent that (i) the original Indebtedness secured by such Lien is permitted Refinance Indebtedness and (ii) the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness.

 

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provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause (e) and (i) above.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the U.S. (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.), 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, bankers’ 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 Lender or the domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the U.S. 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; and

(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

Permitted Investors” means, collectively, the Sponsor Entities and their Controlled Investment Affiliates.

Permitted Parent Distributions” means the distribution by a Borrower (or any of its Subsidiaries) to any direct or indirect parent of such Borrower from time to time of amounts necessary to fund the payment by or reimbursement of such entities of (a) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation, costs and expenses with respect to auditing, accounting, legal services, governmental reporting, insurance, compensation and benefits plans, stock options and stock ownership plans, director fees, indemnitees provided to directors and officers, and the registration and offering of debt and equity securities and (b) fees and expenses (excluding franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain corporate existence.

Permitted Tax Distribution” means (a) dividends or distributions by a Borrower (or any of its Subsidiaries) to any direct or indirect parent of such Borrower in an amount required for any such direct or indirect parent to pay franchise and similar taxes attributable to such parent’s direct or indirect ownership of such Borrower, and (b) with respect to any taxable period or portion thereof during which a Borrower is a passthrough entity (including a partnership or a disregarded entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dividends or distributions by such Borrower to any holder of Equity Interests in such Borrower, on or prior to each applicable federal estimated tax

 

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payment date, such that each holder receives, in the aggregate for such period, payments or distributions from such Borrower in an amount not to exceed such holder’s U.S. federal, state and local and foreign income tax obligations (as applicable) solely attributable to its ownership of Borrower with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each such holder is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates applicable to an individual, or if higher, a corporation, resident in New York, New York), determined by taking into account any adjustment to such holder’s taxable income attributable to its ownership of its Equity Interests in Borrower and its subsidiaries as a result of any tax examination, audit or adjustment with respect to any taxable period or portion thereof; provided that the amount of any Permitted Tax Distributions not made with respect to any taxable period may be made in any future taxable period or periods.

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 as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (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 that is maintained or is contributed to, or is required to be contributed to, by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which any Borrower has any liability, contingent or otherwise (including contingent liability as a result of an ERISA Affiliate).

Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

Pre-Closing Restructuring” means, collectively, (i) the formation by GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GEC Estis”), of Estis as a new, wholly-owned subsidiary, (ii) the contribution by GEC Estis of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its direct and indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries (other than Estis) to Estis, (iii) the formation by Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“Flowco Production Solutions”) of Flowco as a new, wholly-owned subsidiary, (iv) the contribution by Flowco Production Solutions of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (other than Flowco) to Flowco, (v) the formation by Flogistix Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix Holdings”), of Flogistix as a new, wholly-owned Subsidiary, (vi) the contribution by Flogistix Holdings of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by Flogistix Holdings in its Subsidiaries (other than Flogistix) to Flogistix, (vii) the formation by, collectively, GEC Estis, Flowco Production Solutions, and Flogistix Holdings, of Flowco MergeCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MergeCo”), as a new, jointly-owned subsidiary, (viii) the contribution by GEC Estis of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Estis to MergeCo, (ix) the contribution by Flowco Production Solutions of all of its issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Flowco to MergeCo, (x) the contribution by White Deer Energy L.P. II, a Cayman Islands limited partnership, and its affiliates, indirectly through Flogistix Holdings, all of the Equity Interests in Flogistix to MergeCo, (xi) the formation of Parent Borrower by MergeCo, (xii) the contribution by MergeCo of all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Estis, Flowco, and Flogistix, respectively, to Parent Borrower and (xiii) the incorporation of PubCo Parent as a new, wholly-owned subsidiary of MergeCo.

 

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Prepayment Event” means:

(a) any Disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, other than Dispositions described in Section 6.05(a) or (b), which results in Net Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 in any individual transaction or series of related transactions;

(b) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary which results in Net Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 in any single instance;

(c) during the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Period, the issuance by any Borrower of any Equity Interests, or the receipt by any Borrower of any capital contribution; or

(d) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant or calculation hereunder, the determination or calculation of such test, covenant, ratio in accordance with Section 1.06.

Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(e).

Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

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.

Pubco Parent” means Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Public-Sider” means a Lender whose representatives may trade in securities of Ultimate Parent or its Controlling Person or any of its Subsidiaries while in possession of the financial statements provided by Ultimate Parent under the terms of this Agreement.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21.

 

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Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate or the REVSOFR30 Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (b) if such Benchmark is Daily Simple SOFR, then four (4) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such setting or (c) if such Benchmark is not the Term SOFR Rate, the REVSOFR30 Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time 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, administrators, managers, representatives and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping of any substance into the environment.

Relevant Entities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.

 

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Relevant Rate” means (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Term SOFR Rate, (ii) with respect to any Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Borrowing, the REVSOFR30 Rate, or (iii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing, the Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable.

Rental Compressor Fleet Component” means, at any time of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the lesser of (i) 120.0% of the net book value of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Appraised Rental Compressor Fleet at such time, or (ii) the product of (A) 80.0%, multiplied by (B) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent appraisal of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Appraised Rental Compressor Fleet, multiplied by (C) the net book value of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Appraised Rental Compressor Fleet at such time, plus (b) 80.0% of the lesser of (i) the cost the Loan Parties’ Eligible New Rental Compressor Fleet at such time or (ii) the net book value of the Loan Parties’ Eligible New Rental Compressor Fleet at such time.

Report” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers, after the Administrative Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent.

Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 50.1% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time; provided that, as long as there are less than three Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean all Lenders; provided further that, in addition to the foregoing, solely with respect to any amendment or modification of the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.12 of this Agreement, so long as any single Lender has Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 50.1% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments, Required Lenders shall mean at least three unaffiliated Lenders having Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 50.1% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time (treating, solely for the purposes of this proviso, each Lender and its Affiliates as a single Lender).

Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Reserves” means any and all reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, an availability reserve, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Secured Obligations, Banking Services Reserves, volatility reserves, reserves for rent at locations leased by any Loan Party (which rent reserves shall not exceed the amount of three (3) months’ rent at any such location) and for consignee’s, warehousemen’s and bailee’s charges, reserves for dilution of Accounts, reserves for Compression Unit shrinkage, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Compression Units in transit, reserves for Swap Agreement Obligations, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party as they relate to the assets comprising the Borrowing Base, reserves for uninsured, underinsured, un-indemnified or under-indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments, and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral or any Loan Party.

 

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Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means the president, chief executive officer, any vice president, any Financial Officer or any other executive officer or authorized signatory of a Borrower.

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrowers or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.

Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment as of the Effective Date is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable.

Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances outstanding at such time.

Revolving Lender” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

REVSOFR30 Rate” means the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a one (1) month period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first (1st) Business Day of each month, adjusted monthly on the first (1st) Business Day of each month. Any change in the REVSOFR30 Rate shall be effective from and include the effective date of such change.

RFR” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing solely following a Benchmark Transition Event and a Benchmark Replacement Date, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.

 

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S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory that is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Crimea, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person subject or target of any Sanctions, including (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the U.S. government, including by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b) (including, without limitation for purposes of defining a Sanctioned Person, as ownership and control may be defined and/or established in and/or by any applicable laws, rules, regulations, or orders).

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

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.

Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all (i) Banking Services Obligations and (ii) Swap Agreement Obligations, in each case, owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.

Secured Parties” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) each Issuing Bank, (d) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (e) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing that are Lenders or Affiliates of a Lender, provided that, for purposes of clauses (d) and (e) above, only to the extent the Banking Services Obligations or obligations under any Swap Agreement, as applicable, owing to any such successor or assign constitute Secured Obligations.

 

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Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Settlement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

Settlement Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

Shareholder Loan” means Subordinated Indebtedness of a Borrower or any other Loan Party to a holder of Equity Interests in such Borrower or Loan Party (provided that such holder is not a Loan Party).

SOFR” means a per annum rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

SOFR Determination Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

Specified Account Debtors” means, collectively, (i) Total Operations and Production Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (ii) Baker Hughes Company, a Delaware corporation, (iii) Halliburton Company, a Delaware corporation, (iv) Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a Delaware corporation, (v) Endeavor Energy Resources, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, (vi) OXY USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (vii) Kodiak Gas Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (viii) EOG Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (ix) Devon Energy Corporation, (x) Chevron Corporation, (xi) ConocoPhillips Company, and (xii) Ovintiv Inc., and, in each case, together with each such Specified Account Debtor’s Affiliates, successors-in-interest and assigns.

Specified Equity Contribution” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.03.

Specified Event of Default” means any Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.01(a), 7.01(b), 7.01(d) (with respect to a breach, violation or non-compliance with Section 6.12(a) or 6.12(b)), 7.01(e)(i) (with respect to a breach, violation or non-compliance with Section 5.01(a), 5.01(b), 5.01(c), 5.01(d) or 5.01(f)), 7.01(h) or 7.01(i).

 

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Sponsor Entities” means (a) GEC Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (b) White Deer Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(f).

Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any unsecured Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or 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, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable.

Supermajority Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 75% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time; provided that, as long as there are less than three Lenders, Supermajority Lenders shall mean all Lenders; provided further that, in addition to the foregoing, so long as any single Lender has Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 75% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments, Supermajority Lenders shall mean at least three unaffiliated Lenders having Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments representing at least 75% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time (treating, solely for the purposes of this proviso, each Lender and its Affiliates as a single Lender).

Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or 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 a Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

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Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Swingline Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swingline Loan.

Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender” means JPMCB (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or an Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Swingline Lender and any consent given by JPMCB in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by JPMCB in its capacity as Swingline Lender.

Swingline Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Tax Receivable Agreement” means a Tax Receivable Agreement, entered into in connection with the Parent IPO, by and among Pubco Parent, and the other persons from time to time party thereto, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Term Benchmark” 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 Term SOFR Rate.

Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.

Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.

 

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Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.

Total Leverage Ratio” means, at any date (subject to Section 1.06), the ratio of (a) Funded Indebtedness on such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of three (3) consecutive calendar months ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a calendar month, ended on the last day of the calendar month most recently ended prior to such date) multiplied by four (4).

Transactions” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and (b) the repayment in full on or prior to the Effective Date of the Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreements.

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or the ABR.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Texas or in any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

UK Financial Institutions” means 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.

Ultimate Parent” means, (a) at any time prior to the Parent IPO, Parent Borrower, and (b) at any time from and after the Parent IPO, Pubco Parent.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

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Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, Capital Expenditures made during such period which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loans), the proceeds of any sale or issuance of Equity Interests or contributions in respect of any Equity Interests, the proceeds of any asset Disposition (other than the sale or lease of Inventory in the ordinary course of business) or any insurance proceeds or similar awards or proceeds in respect of any casualty or condemnation; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of calculating the Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for any period of three (3) consecutive calendar months, 20% of the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made in such period to acquire Compression Units shall be deemed to be Unfinanced Capital Expenditures.

Unfunded Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender less its Revolving Exposure.

Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

U.S.” means the United States of America.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) 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. Special Resolution Regime” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any director’s qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are directly or indirectly owned by any Borrower.

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete withdrawal (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA) or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Section 4205 of ERISA) from such Multiemployer Plan.

 

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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 “Term Benchmark Loan”, an “RFR Loan” or “an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Loan”, an “ RFR Revolving Loan” or “an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Borrowing”, an “RFR Borrowing” or “an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing”, an “RFR Revolving Borrowing” or “an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate 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 “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities. 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, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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Section 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. (a) 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 after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower Representative notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative 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 any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of Parent Borrower, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 or 2015-03 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.04(a) or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“FAS 842”), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, such lease shall not be considered a capital lease, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.

Section 1.05. Interest Rates; Benchmark Notifications. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.14(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this

 

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Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrowers, 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 1.06. Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions. To the extent any Borrower or any Subsidiary makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or Disposition outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05, or to the extent the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.12 are otherwise required under this Agreement to be calculated on a pro forma basis, then in each case for purposes of making any calculation of the Total Leverage Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio or any other financial ratio (and each component definition thereof), such calculation shall be made for the period of four (4) fiscal quarters of Parent Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b), as applicable; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that (x) any calculation of Indebtedness with respect to the Total Leverage Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio or any other financial ratio (and each component definition thereof) shall be made as of the date of such transaction and shall include any incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness as of such date, and (y) each of the Total Leverage Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio or any other financial ratio (and each component definition thereof) shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are attributable to the acquisition or the disposition of assets, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as certified as such by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent), as if such acquisition or such disposition (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred on first day of such four-quarter period, and approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

Section 1.07. Status of Obligations. In the event that any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, such Borrower shall take, or cause such other Loan Party to take, all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness. Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

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Section 1.08. Letters of Credit. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit available to be drawn at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Letter of Credit Agreement related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the available amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum amount is available to be drawn at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Article 29(a) of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or similar terms of the Letter of Credit itself, or if compliant documents have been presented but not yet honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” and “undrawn” in the amount so remaining available to be paid, and the obligations of the Borrowers and each Lender shall remain in full force and effect until the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit.

Section 1.09. 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 and acquired 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 herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans in dollars to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base, subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

 

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Section 2.02. Loans and Borrowings.

(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. 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. Any Protective Advance and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith, provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings but may be converted into Term Benchmark Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Term Benchmark Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Term Benchmark Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000. ABR Borrowings may be in any amount. 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 twelve (12) Term Benchmark Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower Representative shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

Section 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower Representative or any Borrower shall submit a Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent through Electronic System or the Approved Borrower Portal, in each case to the extent arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent not later than (a)(i) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of an RFR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, noon, Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of such proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative; provided that, each such electronic Borrowing Request submitted through the Approved Borrower Portal, if permitted, is not required to be signed but shall be submitted by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or its duly appointed designee to the Administrative Agent. Each Borrowing Request shall specify the following information Section 2.02:

(i) the name of the applicable Borrower(s) and the applicable Funding Account into which such Borrowing is to be funded;

 

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(ii) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing; and

(v) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower(s) shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. 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 Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Borrowers be permitted to request pursuant to this Section 2.03, prior to a Benchmark Transition Event and Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate, an RFR Loan (it being understood and agreed that Daily Simple SOFR shall only apply to the extent provided in Sections 2.14(a) and 2.14(f), as applicable).

Section 2.04. Protective Advances.

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Borrowers, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”); provided that, the aggregate amount of Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000; provided further that, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Protective Advances being made shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. All Protective Advances shall be ABR Borrowings. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make

 

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any Protective Advance on any other occasion. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender). Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time that there is sufficient Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Revolving Lenders to make a Revolving Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time, the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).

(b) Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

Section 2.05. Swingline Loans.

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Revolving Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower Representative requests an ABR Borrowing, the Swingline Lender may elect to have the terms of this Section 2.05(a) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the applicable Borrower on the date of the applicable Borrowing to the applicable Funding Account (each such Loan made solely by the Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is referred to in this Agreement as a “Swingline Loan”), with settlement among the Swingline Lender and the Revolving Lenders as to the Swingline Loans to take place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(c). Each Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other ABR Loans funded by the Revolving Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swingline Lender solely for its own account. The aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed $50,000,000. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan if the requested Swingline Loan exceeds Availability (before or after giving effect to such Swingline Loan). All Swingline Loans shall be ABR Borrowings; provided that, from and after the Settlement of any Swingline Loans with Revolving Lenders in accordance with Section 2.05(c), the Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lenders resulting from such Settlement consisting of ABR Borrowings may be converted to Term Benchmark Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08 hereof.

(b) Upon the making of a Swingline Loan (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such Swingline Loan), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Swingline Loan in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Commitment.

 

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The Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent may, at any time, require the Revolving Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Swingline Loan purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Swingline Lender, shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the Revolving Lenders on at least a weekly basis or on any date that the Administrative Agent elects, by notifying the Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile, telephone, or e-mail no later than 12:00 noon Chicago time on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). Each Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of the Swingline Loans) shall transfer the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to such account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on such Settlement Date. Settlements may occur during the existence of a Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have then been satisfied. Such amounts transferred to the Administrative Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loans and, together with Swingline Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, respectively. If any such amount is not transferred to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Lender on such Settlement Date, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, as specified in Section 2.07.

Section 2.06. Letters of Credit.

(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower Representative may request any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of another Borrower denominated in dollars as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, and such Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue such requested Letters of Credit pursuant to this Agreement; provided that no Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue a Letter of Credit that would result in more than a total of 20 Letters of Credit outstanding. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank

 

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refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements 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 not to be in effect on the Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower Representative shall deliver by hand or facsimile (or transmit through Electronic System, the Approved Borrower Portal, or other electronic communication, in each case to the extent arrangements for doing so have been approved by the respective Issuing Bank) to an Issuing Bank selected by it and to the Administrative Agent (prior to 9:00 am, Chicago time, at least three Business Days prior to 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 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. In addition, as a condition to any such Letter of Credit issuance, the applicable Borrower shall have entered into a continuing agreement (or other letter of credit agreement) for the issuance of letters of credit and/or shall submit a letter of credit application, in each case, as required by the applicable Issuing Bank and using such Issuing Bank’s standard form (each, a “Letter of Credit Agreement”). A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrowers shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed $20,000,000, (ii) no Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall exceed its Revolving Commitment and (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue or modify any Letter of Credit if, immediately after giving effect thereto, the outstanding LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person and its Affiliates would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit. Without limiting the foregoing and without affecting the limitations contained herein, it is understood and agreed that the Borrower Representative may from time to time request that an Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit in effect at the time of such request, and each Issuing Bank agrees to consider any such request in good faith. Any Letter of Credit so issued by an Issuing Bank in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit then in effect shall nonetheless constitute a Letter of Credit for all purposes of this Agreement, and shall not affect the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any other Issuing Bank, subject to the limitations on the aggregate LC Exposure set forth in clause (i) of this Section 2.06(b).

 

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(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-renewal by notice from the applicable Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration date thereof, including, without limitation, any automatic renewal provision, one year after such extension) or with respect to a Letter of Credit issued by JPMCB, such longer period of time as may be agreed to by JPMCB in its sole discretion (subject to the limitations set forth in the immediately succeeding sentence) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above) and provided, further, that the Issuing Bank may consent to an expiration date of a Letter of Credit (each such Letter of Credit, an “Extended Letter of Credit”), which is on or after the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date if such Letter of Credit has been cash collateralized on terms acceptable to such Issuing Bank at least five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. If any Extended Letter of Credit has not been cash collateralized on terms acceptable to such Issuing Bank at least five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, then the Borrower shall, on the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, notwithstanding any conditions to Borrowing set forth herein, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrower Representative does hereby request under such circumstances, an ABR Borrowing in an amount equal to the LC Exposure of such Letter of Credit and such ABR Loans shall be provided to replace such LC Exposure.

(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount or extending the term thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving 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 Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason, including after the Maturity Date. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligations to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit and to make payments in respect of such acquired participations is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit or 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.

 

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(e) Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower Representative receives such notice, if such notice is received after 9:00 a.m. Chicago time, on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan, as applicable. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the respective Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the respective Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving 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 Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an 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 Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ joint and several 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, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (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) any payment by the respective 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, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders, nor any Issuing Bank or any of their respective 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, document, 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, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the respective Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse an Issuing Bank from liability

 

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to the Borrowers 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 Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by any 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, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by applicable law or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by fax or through Electronic System) of such demand for payment if such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that such notice need not be given prior to payment by the Issuing Bank and any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers 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 Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans and such interest shall be due and payable on the date when such reimbursement is payable; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Replacement and Resignation of an Issuing Bank.

(i) An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such

 

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replacement, (A) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (B) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or extend or otherwise amend any existing Letter of Credit.

(ii) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and the Lenders, in which case, such resigning Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i)(i) above.

(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account or accounts with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 105% of the amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus 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 any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01. Such Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to the extent required by Sections 2.10(b), 2.11(b) or 2.20. Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Borrowers hereby grant the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all money or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the LC Collateral Account. Moneys in the LC Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed, together with related fees, costs, and customary processing charges required to be paid to such Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms hereof or the applicable Letter of Credit Agreement, and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers are 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 Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Default have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

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(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 any 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.

(l) LC Exposure Determination. 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) Letters of Credit Issued for Account of Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder supports any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrowers (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the Issuing Bank hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of a Borrower and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrowers, and that each Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 2.07. Funding of Borrowings.

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that, Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower Representative by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the applicable Funding Account; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank and (ii) a Protective Advance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any 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 applicable 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 Borrowers each 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 applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing, provided, that any interest received from a Borrower by the Administrative Agent during the period beginning when Administrative Agent funded the Borrowing until such Lender pays such amount shall be solely for the account of the Administrative Agent.

Section 2.08. Interest Elections.

(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower Representative may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower Representative 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 Swingline Borrowings or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower Representative shall submit an Interest Election Request to the Administrative Agent through Electronic System or the Approved Borrower Portal, in each case to the extent arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrowers were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request

 

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shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative; provided that, each such electronic Interest Election Request submitted through the Approved Borrower Portal, if permitted, is not required to be signed but shall be submitted by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or its duly appointed designee to the Administrative Agent.

(c) Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the name of the applicable Borrower and 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;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Borrowers be permitted to request pursuant to this Section 2.08(c), prior to a Benchmark Transition Event and Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate, an RFR Loan (it being understood and agreed that Daily Simple SOFR shall only apply to the extent provided in Section 2.14(a) and 2.14(f), as applicable).

(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 Representative fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Term Benchmark Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Representative, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, (A) each Term Benchmark Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (B) each RFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the next Interest Payment Date.

 

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Section 2.09. Termination of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments.

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(b) The Borrowers may from time to time reduce or terminate the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000 and (ii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, (A) any Lender’s Revolving Exposure would exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (B) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Borrowing Base.

(c) The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to reduce the Revolving Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such 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 Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or consummation of a sale or merger the proceeds of which will be used to repay the Revolving Loans, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments.

(d) The Borrowers shall have the right to increase the Revolving Commitments by obtaining additional Revolving Commitments, either from one or more of the Lenders or another lending institution or any other entity provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $20,000,000, (ii) the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, may make a maximum of five (5) such requests, (iii) after giving effect thereto, the sum of the total of the additional Commitments does not exceed $150,000,000, (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank have approved the identity of any such new Lender, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (v) any such new Lender assumes all of the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder, and (vi) the procedures described in Section 2.09(e) have been satisfied. Nothing contained in this Section 2.09 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time.

(e) Any amendment hereto for such an increase or addition shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall only require the written signatures of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers and each Lender being added or increasing its Commitment, subject only to the approval of all Lenders if any such increase or addition would cause the Revolving Commitments to exceed $800,000,000. As a condition precedent to such an increase or addition, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of each Loan Party signed by an authorized officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching

 

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the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (B) in the case of the Borrowers, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase or addition, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date, (2) no Default or Event of Default exists and (3) the Borrowers are in compliance (on a Pro Forma Basis) with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (ii) legal opinions and documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

(f) On the effective date of any such increase or addition, (i) any Lender increasing (or, in the case of any newly added Lender, extending) its Revolving Commitment shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in dollars 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 increase or addition 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 revised Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall make such other adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans then outstanding and amounts of principal, interest, commitment fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, in order to effect such reallocation and (ii) the Borrowers shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase (or addition) in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower Representative, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03). 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 and, in respect of each Term Benchmark Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. Within a reasonable time after the effective date of any increase or addition, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to, revise the Commitment Schedule to reflect such increase or addition and shall distribute such revised Commitment Schedule to each of the Lenders and the Borrower Representative, whereupon such revised Commitment Schedule shall replace the old Commitment Schedule and become part of this Agreement.

Section 2.10. Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

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(b) At all times during a Cash Dominion Period, on each Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to the Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available) first to prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any funds credited to the Collection Account constitute Net Proceeds, the application of such Net Proceeds shall be subject to Section 2.11(c).

(c) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers 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.

(d) 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 the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers 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.

(e) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) 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 Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(f) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. 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.

Section 2.11. Prepayment of Loans.

(a) The Borrowers 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 (e) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16.

(b) In the event and on such occasion that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (B) the Borrowing Base, the Borrowers shall prepay the Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans or cash collateralize the LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to such excess within one (1) Business Day.

 

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(c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Borrowers shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, prepay the Obligations and cash collateralize the LC Exposure as set forth in Section 2.11(d) below in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds, provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, if the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Loan Parties intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 180 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to acquire (or replace or rebuild or improve) real property, equipment or other tangible assets (excluding inventory) to be used in the business of the Loan Parties, and certifying that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then either (i) so long as the Cash Dominion Period is not in effect, no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate or (ii) if the Cash Dominion Period is in effect, then, if the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate are to be applied to acquire, replace, rebuild or improve such assets by (A) the Borrowers, such Net Proceeds shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans (without a permanent reduction of the Revolving Commitment) and upon such application, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Reserve against the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the amount of such proceeds so applied and (B) any Loan Party that is not a Borrower, such Net Proceeds shall be deposited in a cash collateral account, and in the case of either clause (A) or (B), thereafter, such funds shall be made available to the applicable Loan Party as follows:

(1) the Borrower Representative shall request a Revolving Borrowing (specifying that the request is to use Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section) or the applicable Loan Party shall request a release from the cash collateral account be made in the amount needed;

(2) so long as the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been met, the Revolving Lenders shall make such Revolving Borrowing or the Administrative Agent shall release funds from the cash collateral account; and

(3) in the case of Net Proceeds applied against the Revolving Borrowing, the Reserve established with respect to such insurance proceeds shall be reduced by the amount of such Revolving Borrowing;

provided that to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such 180 day period, a prepayment shall be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied.

(d) All such amounts prepaid pursuant to Section 2.11(c) shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in the Revolving Commitments and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. If the precise amount of insurance or condemnation proceeds allocable to Inventory, Equipment, Compression Units and real property is not otherwise determined, the allocation and application of those proceeds shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion.

 

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(e) The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by email), through Electronic System, or the Approved Borrower Portal, in each case to the extent arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender), of any prepayment hereunder not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, (A) in the case of prepayment of a Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (B) in the case of prepayment of an RFR Revolving Borrowing, five (5) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (C) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. 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 Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (x) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (y) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.

Section 2.12. Fees.

(a) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Commitment fees accrued through and including the last day of each calendar quarter shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October following such last day and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. 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 of each period and the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate).

(b) The Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender 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 Term Benchmark 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 Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC

 

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Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of each calendar quarter shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October following 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 which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) 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 of each period and the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate).

(c) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in dollars in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to an 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 2.13. Interest.

(a) The Loans comprising ABR Borrowings (including Swingline Loans) shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Term Benchmark Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate. Each RFR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Each Protective Advance shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans; provided that during the existence of an Event of Default, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion or at the direction of the Required Lenders, each Protective Advance shall bear interest at the ABR, plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans, plus 2% per annum.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, at their option, by notice to the Borrower Representative (which notice may be revoked at the option of the Required Lenders notwithstanding any provision of Section 9.02 requiring the consent of “each Lender affected thereby” for reductions in interest rates), declare that (i) all Loans shall bear interest at 2% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount outstanding hereunder, such amount shall accrue at 2% per annum plus the rate applicable to such fee or other obligation as provided hereunder.

 

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(e) Accrued interest on each Loan (for ABR Loans, accrued through the last day of the prior calendar month) 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 (d) 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 Term Benchmark 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.

(f) Interest computed by reference to the Term SOFR Rate, the REVSOFR30 Rate or Daily Simple SOFR and the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days. Interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate only at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year). In each case interest shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All interest hereunder on any Loan shall be computed on a daily basis based upon the outstanding principal amount of such Loan as of the applicable date of determination. A determination of the applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate, the REVSOFR30 Rate, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or Term SOFR Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest.

(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.14, if:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis); or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, the Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing;

 

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then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders through an Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrowers deliver a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or 2.14(a)(ii) above or (y) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or 2.14(a)(ii) above and (2) any Borrowing Request that requests an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for an ABR Borrowing bearing interest with reference to the Alternate Base Rate; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower Representative’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.14(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrowers deliver a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or 2.14(a)(ii) above, on such day, or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or 2.14(a)(ii) above, on such day, and (2) any Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan bearing interest with reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Swap Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 2.14), if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark

 

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Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each affected Class.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (f) below and (v) 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 2.14, 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 2.14.

(e) 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 Rate or the REVSOFR30 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 or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” 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 or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(f) Upon the Borrower Representative’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrowers may revoke any request for (i) a Term Benchmark Borrowing or Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued or (ii) an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Borrowing or a RFR Borrowing, or conversion to an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan, during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrowers will be deemed to have converted (1) any such request for a Term Benchmark

 

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Borrowing into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) solely with respect to any such request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event and (2) any such request for an Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Borrowing or RFR Borrowing into a request for an ABR Borrowing bearing interest with reference to the Alternate Base Rate. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower Representative’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.14, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Loan so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any Adjusted REVSOFR30 Rate Loan or RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan bearing interest with reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Section 2.15. Increased Costs.

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or Issuing Bank;

(ii) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the applicable offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii) 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;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender, Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, within ten (10) days of receipt of a certificate of the type specified in clause (c) below, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender, Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments 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 Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time within ten (10) days of receipt of a certificate of the type specified in clause (c) below, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower Representative of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or 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 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 2.16. Break Funding Payments.

(a) With respect to Loans that are not RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(e) and is revoked in accordance therewith) (except, at any time that there is sufficient Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, a failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to fund any

 

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Term Benchmark Loan), or (iv) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(b) With respect to RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the failure to borrow or prepay any RFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(e) and is revoked in accordance therewith) (except, at any time that there is sufficient Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, a failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to fund any RFR Loan) or (iii) the assignment of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.17. Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

(c) Evidence of Payment. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, 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.

 

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(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable 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. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but 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), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to setoff and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f) Status of Lenders.

(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

 

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(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 or Exhibit E-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative 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 Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(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 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), 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 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to

 

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such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including 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 over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the 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 giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document (including the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).

(i) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.]

Section 2.18. Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Setoffs.

(a) The Borrowers shall make each payment or prepayment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the date when due or the date fixed for any prepayment hereunder, in dollars in immediately available funds, without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 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. Unless otherwise provided for herein, 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) All payments and any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers), (B) a mandatory

 

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prepayment (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (C) amounts to be applied from the Collection Account when a Cash Dominion Period is in effect (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third, to pay interest due in respect of the Protective Advances, fourth, to pay the principal of the Protective Advances, fifth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances) ratably, sixth, to prepay principal on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, ratably, seventh, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the aggregate LC Exposure, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, and ninth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower Representative, or unless an Event of Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Term Benchmark Loan of a Class, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding ABR Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

(c) At the election of the Administrative Agent, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder whether made following a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section or may be deducted from any Deposit Account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorizes (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans, but such a Borrowing may only constitute a Protective Advance if it is to reimburse costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any Deposit Account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents; provided, that the Administrative Agent agrees not to exercise any of the foregoing rights until (x) it receives written consent from the Borrower Representative or (y) the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default.

 

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(d) If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the 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 all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective 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 Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each 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 such Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower Representative prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms hereof or any other Loan Document (including any date that is fixed for prepayment by notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(e)), notice from the Borrower Representative that the Borrowers will not make such payment or prepayment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, 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 NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(f) The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrowers with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “Statements”). The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrowers’ convenience. Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers pay the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement, the Borrowers shall not be in default of payment with respect to

 

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the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided, that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.

Section 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 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 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, 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 (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, conditioned or delayed, (ii) 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 Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. 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 Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that (x) an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and (y) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms

 

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thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

Section 2.20. Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize the LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower Representative may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to be held in a Deposit Account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize the Issuing Bank’s future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Banks or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;

 

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(c) such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02) or under any other Loan Document; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (c) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

(d) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any Non-Defaulting Lender, cause such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Commitment;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, within two (2) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii) if the Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if the LC Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

(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 fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Banks until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

 

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(e) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

(f) If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Lender Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless such Issuing Bank shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrowers or such Lender, satisfactory to such Issuing Bank to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

(g) In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

Section 2.21. Returned Payments. If after receipt of any payment that is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion), then the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 2.22. Banking Services and Swap Agreements. Each Lender or Affiliate thereof providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request

 

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therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to Section 2.18(b).

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

Section 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

Section 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

Section 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents and (iii) where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any material Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or the requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (e) will not contravene the terms of any Loan Party’s or such Subsidiary’s Organizational Documents.

Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) Each Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and (ii) as of and for the fiscal month and the portion of the fiscal year

 

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ended June 30, 2024, certified by its Financial Officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of each Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b) No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2023.

Section 3.05. Properties.

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, and no default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its material real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02.

(b) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other Intellectual Property necessary to its business as currently conducted, a correct and complete list of which, as of the date of this Agreement, is set forth on Schedule 3.05, and, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, the use thereof by each Loan Party and each Subsidiary does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person, and each Loan Party’s and each Subsidiary’s rights thereto are not subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement.

Section 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters.

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters (i) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary (A) 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, (B) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (C) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (D) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

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(c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default. Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (i) all Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property and (ii) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 3.08. Investment Company Status. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Section 3.09. Taxes. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all income and other material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except Taxes that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04. No Tax Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances described in subsection (a) of the definition of such term) have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any material Taxes.

Section 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date hereof, (a) the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and (b) the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.

Section 3.11. Disclosure.

(a) The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary by a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date (it being understood that actual results may vary from projected financial information and that such variation may be material).

 

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(b) As of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of any Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.

Section 3.12. Material Agreements. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in (i) any agreement to which it is a party or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Indebtedness, in each case, which default would be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.13. Solvency.

(a) Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) no Loan Party will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.

(b) No Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

Section 3.14. Insurance. Schedule 3.14 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid. Each Borrower maintains, and has caused each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their real and personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

Section 3.15. Capitalization and Subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.15 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to each Borrower of each Subsidiary, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each Borrower’s authorized Equity Interests, all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.15, and (c) the type of entity of each Borrower and each Subsidiary. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of any Loan Party to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any Loan Party.

 

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Section 3.16. Security Interest in Collateral. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents create legal and valid Liens on all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and (i) when financing statements and other filings in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified in the Security Agreement and (ii) upon the taking of possession or control by the Administrative Agent of the Collateral described therein with respect to which a security interest may be perfected only by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Administrative Agent to the extent possession or control by the Administrative Agent is required by the Security Agreement), such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral (other than such Collateral in which a Lien or a security interest cannot be perfected by filing, possession or control under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect at the relevant time in the relevant jurisdiction), securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of (a) Permitted Encumbrances, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law or agreement, and (b) Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title), to the extent the Administrative Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral.

Section 3.17. Employment Matters. As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters. All payments due from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary.

Section 3.18. Margin Regulations. No Loan Party is engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of any Loan Party only or of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) will be Margin Stock.

Section 3.19. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.

Section 3.20. No Burdensome Restrictions. No Loan Party is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.10.

 

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Section 3.21. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of (a) any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

Section 3.22. Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, as of the Effective Date, there are no existing or proposed agreements, arrangements, understandings or transactions between any Loan Party and any of the officers, members, managers, directors, stockholders, parents, holders of other Equity Interests, employees or Affiliates (other than Subsidiaries) of any Loan Party or any members of their respective immediate families (other than any compensatory, incentive or employment agreements), and none of the foregoing Persons are directly or indirectly indebted to or have any direct or indirect ownership, partnership, or voting interest in any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any Person with which any Loan Party has a business relationship or which competes with any Loan Party.

Section 3.23. Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

Section 3.24. Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. No Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and, based on the assumption (to the extent such assumption is reasonable) that the assets comprising any Loan, or in respect of any Letter of Credit, hereunder do not constitute “plan assets” or are otherwise subject to an applicable prohibited transaction exemption, neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the making of any Loan and the issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

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 not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent

 

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(which, subject to Section 9.06(b), may include any Electronic Signatures transmitted by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) either (A) a counterpart of each other Loan Document signed on behalf of each party thereto or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page thereof) that each such party has signed a counterpart of such Loan Document and (iii) such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10 payable to the order of each such requesting Lender and a written opinion of the Loan Parties’ counsel, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, covering such matters as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(b) Financial Statements and Projections. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of each of Flowco, Flogistix and Estis and their respective Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of each of Flowco, Flogistix and Estis and their respective Subsidiaries for the fiscal month ended June 30, 2024, (iii) the monthly projections of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries through the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 and annual projections of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal year thereafter, through and including the fiscal year ending December 31, 2028, and (iv) inventory appraisal, appraisal of the Loan Parties’ Compression Units and field examinations performed by the Administrative Agent or firms and appraisers satisfactory to it.

(c) Officers Certificate; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by a Responsible Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Loan Party, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, its Financial Officers, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.

(d) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of each Borrower, dated as of the Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date, and (iii) certifying as to the matters set forth in Sections 3.04(b) and 4.01(m).

 

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(e) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent (and its counsel) shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of legal counsel) for which invoices have been presented, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Effective Date. All such amounts may, at the Borrowers’ election, be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Effective Date and, in such case, will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date.

(f) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction where the Loan Parties are organized and where the assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02, discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or otherwise permitted by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(g) Pay-Off Letter; Other Indebtedness. The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory pay-off letters for all existing Indebtedness to be repaid from the proceeds of the initial Borrowing, confirming that all Liens upon any of the property of the Loan Parties constituting Collateral will be terminated concurrently with such payment and all letters of credit issued or guaranteed as part of such Indebtedness shall have been cash collateralized or supported by a Letter of Credit. On the Effective Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, no Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall have any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement).

(h) Funding Account. The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the Deposit Account of each Borrower (each, a “Funding Account” and collectively, the “Funding Accounts”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

(i) Customer List. The Administrative Agent shall have received a true and complete customer list for each Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Foreign Subsidiaries), which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number and shall be certified as true and correct by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative.

(j) Collateral Access and Control Agreements. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) subject to Section 5.15(c), each Collateral Access Agreement required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Security Agreement and (ii) subject to Section 5.15(a), each Deposit Account Control Agreement required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Security Agreement.

(k) Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer and dated the Effective Date.

 

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(l) Borrowing Base Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Borrowing Base as of May 31, 2024.

(m) Closing Availability. After giving effect to all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date, the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Effective Date and the payment of all fees and expenses due hereunder, and with all of the Loan Parties’ indebtedness, liabilities, and obligations current, Availability shall not be less than $65,000,000.

(n) Effective Date Restricted Payment. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Restricted Payment described in Section 6.08(a)(vi) has been made (or will be made substantially concurrently with the Effective Date).

(o) Pledged Equity Interests; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.

(p) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

(q) Field Examination. The Administrative Agent or its designee shall have (i) conducted a field examination of the Loan Parties’ Accounts, Compression Units, Equipment, Inventory and related working capital matters and of the Borrowers’ related data processing and other systems, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and (ii) received appraisals of the applicable Loan Parties’ Compression Units, Inventory, Equipment, and intangibles from one or more firms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which appraisals shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(r) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 hereof and Section 4.12 of the Security Agreement.

(s) Letter of Credit Application. If a Letter of Credit is requested to be issued on the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed letter of credit application (whether standalone or pursuant to a master agreement, as applicable).

(t) Tax Withholding. The Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party.

 

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(u) Corporate Structure. The corporate structure, capital structure and other material debt instruments, material accounts and governing documents of the Borrowers and their Affiliates shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(v) Legal Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(w) USA PATRIOT Act, Etc. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrowers at least seven (7) days prior to the Effective Date, and (ii) to the extent any Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrowers at least seven (7) days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to each Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

(x) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks 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 2:00 p.m., Dallas time, on August 20, 2024 (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, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty that is subject to any materiality qualifier shall be required to be true and correct in all respects).

(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, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) no Protective Advance shall be outstanding.

 

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(c) After giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit, Availability shall not be less than zero.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue to make Loans requested by the Borrower Representative and an Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue, amend or extend, or cause to be issued, amended or extended, any Letter of Credit requested by the Borrower Representative for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if the Administrative Agent believes that making such Loans or issuing, amending or extending, or causing the issuance, amendment or extension of, any such Letter of Credit is in the best interests of the Lenders.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

Section 5.01. Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Parent Borrower (beginning the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024), its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, other than solely with respect to an upcoming maturity date of Indebtedness) to the effect that such consolidated and consolidating financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, accompanied by any management letter prepared by said accountants;

(b) within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Parent Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such 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 a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent 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;

 

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(c) (i) within thirty (30) days after the end the fiscal months ending July 31, 2024 and August 31, 2024 of each of Flowco, Flogistix and Estis, their respective consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such calendar month 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 a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative or the applicable Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of such 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, and (ii) within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal month of Parent Borrower, commencing with the fiscal month ending September 30, 2024, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such calendar month 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 a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent 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;

(d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate (i) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (a) or (b), as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent 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, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.12 and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(e) as soon as available but in any event no later than the end of, and no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the end of, each fiscal year of Parent Borrower, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) of Parent Borrower for each fiscal quarter of the upcoming fiscal year (the “Projections”) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f) as soon as available but in any event within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar month, and at such other times as may be necessary to re-determine Availability or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith and the Rental Compressor Fleet

 

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Component of the Borrowing Base will be updated (i) from time to time upon receipt of periodic valuation updates received from the Administrative Agent’s asset valuation experts, (ii) concurrently with the sale or commitment to sell any assets constituting part of the Rental Compressor Fleet Component, and (iii) in the event that the value of such assets is otherwise impaired, as determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, together with any additional reports with respect to the Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; provided that during an Enhanced Reporting Period, in addition to the foregoing, on the third (3rd) Business Day of each week, Borrower Representative shall deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate, with respect to the prior week;

(g) as soon as available but in any event within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar month (and, solely with respect to clause (i) below, weekly during an Enhanced Reporting Period, on the third (3rd) Business Day of each week) and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, all delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(i) a detailed aging of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Accounts, including all invoices aged by invoice date and due date (with an explanation of the terms offered), prepared in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with a summary specifying the name, address, and balance due for each Account Debtor;

(ii) a schedule detailing the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Inventory, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (1) by location (showing Inventory in transit and any Inventory located with a third party under any consignment, bailee arrangement or warehouse agreement), by class (raw material, work-in-process and finished goods), by product type, and by volume on hand, which Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market and adjusted for Reserves as the Administrative Agent has previously indicated to the Borrowers are deemed by the Administrative Agent to be appropriate, and (2) including a report of any variances or other results of Inventory counts performed by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party since the last Inventory schedule (including information regarding sales or other reductions, additions, returns, credits issued by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party and complaints and claims made against any Borrower or any other Loan Party);

(iii) a schedule of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Compression Units that are available as rental units, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, listing (A) the location of each such Compression Unit, (B) the lessee thereof (if any), (C) the monthly rental rate for such Compression Unit, and (D) such other information with respect thereto and the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(iv) a worksheet of calculations prepared by the Borrowers to determine Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet, Eligible New Rental Compressor Fleet and the Rental Compressor Fleet Component, such worksheets detailing the Accounts and Compression Units excluded from Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, Eligible Rental Compressor Fleet, Eligible New Rental Compressor Fleet and the Rental Compressor Fleet Component and the reason for such exclusion;

 

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(v) a reconciliation of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s Accounts, Inventory and Compression Units between (A) the amounts shown in the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s general ledger and financial statements and the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and (B) the amounts and dates shown in the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to clause (f) above as of such date;

(vi) a reconciliation of the loan balance per the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s general ledger to the loan balance under this Agreement; and

(vii) a schedule and aging of the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s accounts payable, delivered electronically in a text formatted file reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(h) promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request:

(i) copies of invoices issued by the Borrowers and each other Loan Party in connection with any Accounts, credit memos, shipping and delivery documents, and other information related thereto;

(ii) copies of purchase orders, invoices, and shipping and delivery documents in connection with any Compression Units purchased by any Loan Party;

(iii) a schedule detailing the balance of all intercompany accounts of the Loan Parties;

(iv) an updated customer list for each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified as true and correct to the knowledge of the signatory thereof by a Financial Officer; and

(v) concurrently with the annual field examination, a certificate of good standing or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction;

(i) promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, the Borrowers’ and each other Loan Party’s sales journal, cash receipts journal (identifying trade and non-trade cash receipts) and debit memo/credit memo journal;

(j) as soon as possible after filing thereof, copies of all tax returns filed by any Loan Party with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service;

(k) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by Ultimate Parent, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by any Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

 

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(l) promptly after any request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Sections 101(k)(1)(F) through (K) of ERISA that any Loan Party may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that any Loan Party may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if such Loan Party has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, such Loan Party shall promptly make a request for such documents and notices from such administrator or sponsor (unless such Loan Party is limited from making such request under Section 101(k)(3) of ERISA and Section 101(l)(3) of ERISA) and shall provide copies of such requested documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof;

(m) promptly following any request therefor, (x) such other information regarding the operations, material changes in ownership of Equity Interests, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation; and

(n) promptly following any request therefor, to the extent available, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request.

Each Borrower represents and warrants that each of it and its Controlling and Controlled entities, in each case, if any (collectively with each Borrower, the “Relevant Entities”), either (i) has no SEC registered or unregistered, publicly traded securities outstanding, or (ii) files its financial statements with the SEC and/or makes its financial statements available to potential holders of its securities, and, accordingly, solely in the case of this clause (ii), each Borrower hereby (A) authorizes the Administrative Agent to make any such financial statements so filed or made available (collectively or individually, as the context requires, the “Public Financial Statements”), available to Public-Siders and (B) agrees that at the time such Public Financial Statements are provided hereunder, they shall already have been made available to holders of any such securities. No Borrower will request that any other material be posted to Public-Siders without expressly representing and warranting to the Administrative Agent in writing that such materials do not constitute material non-public information within the meaning of the federal securities laws or that the Relevant Entities have no outstanding SEC registered or unregistered, publicly traded securities. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall a Borrower request that the Administrative Agent make available to Public-Siders budgets or any certificates, reports or calculations with respect to such Borrower’s compliance with the covenants contained herein or with respect to the Borrowing Base.

 

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Section 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (but in any event within any time period that may be specified below) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) receipt of any notice of any investigation by a Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that (i) seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) alleges criminal misconduct by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iv) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000, or (v) asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 in respect of any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge;

(c) any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances or Liens otherwise not prohibited by the Loan Documents) or claim made or asserted against any of the Collateral;

(d) any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $1,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;

(e) within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof (or such longer period of time acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), any and all default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or public warehouse where Collateral is located;

(f) all material amendments to any material agreement evidencing or related to Material Indebtedness, together with a copy of each such amendment;

(g) within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence thereof (or such longer period of time acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), any Loan Party entering into a Swap Agreement or an amendment thereto, together with copies of all agreements evidencing such Swap Agreement or amendment;

(h) any material change in accounting or financial reporting practices by any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(i) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Loan Parties in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000;

(j) any other development that results, or could reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(k) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification.

 

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Each notice delivered under this Section shall be (i) in writing and (ii) accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower Representative 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. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) 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, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, Intellectual Property rights, licenses and permits material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, unless the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03, and (b) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted, including any businesses similar, incidental, complementary, ancillary or reasonably related thereto.

Section 5.04. Payment of Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Loan Party or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.

Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted.

Section 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent (including employees of the Administrative Agent or any consultants, accountants, lawyers, agents and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior notice and reasonable coordination with and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct at such Loan Party’s premises field examinations of such Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making extracts from its books and records, non-invasive environmental assessment reports and Phase I studies, 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. Each Loan Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to each Loan Party’s assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of one (1) field examination during any 12-month period

 

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and, at the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, one (1) additional field examination (for the total of two (2) such field examinations during any 12-month period) conducted at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 20% of the lesser of the (x) Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base; provided, that the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of all field examinations conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) comply with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds.

(a) The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used to (i) refinance existing Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, (ii) pay fees and expenses of the Borrowers relating to the Transactions, the Parent IPO and the Pre-Closing Restructuring and (iii) support working capital needs and general business purposes of the Borrowers. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, (i) for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulations T, U and X or (ii) to make any Investments other than Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments permitted by this Agreement. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support the Loan Parties.

(b) No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

Section 5.09. Accuracy of Information. The Loan Parties will ensure that any information provided by a Financial Officer, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section; provided that, with respect

 

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to projected financial information, the Loan Parties will only ensure that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered (it being understood that actual results may vary from the projected financial information and that such variation may be material).

Section 5.10. Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (provided that the carriers of the Loan Parties as of the Effective Date shall be deemed reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including, without limitation: loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities; business interruption; and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents. The Borrowers will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, but no less frequently than annually, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

Section 5.11. Casualty and Condemnation. The Borrowers will (a) furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) ensure that the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.

Section 5.12. Appraisals. At any time that the Administrative Agent requests, each Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary (other than the Foreign Subsidiaries) to, provide the Administrative Agent with appraisals or updates thereof of its Inventory, Equipment and Compression Units from an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent, and prepared on a basis satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of one (1) Inventory, Equipment and Compression Unit appraisal during any 12-month period and, at the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, one (1) additional Inventory, Equipment and Compression Unit desktop appraisal (for the total of one (1) full appraisal and one (1) desktop appraisal during any 12-month period) conducted at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 20% of the lesser of the (x) Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of Inventory, Equipment and Compression Units appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the reasonable costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.13. Depository Banks. Subject to the terms and conditions of Sections 5.15(a) and 5.15(b) below, each Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than the Foreign Subsidiaries) will maintain the Administrative Agent as its principal depository bank, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity and other Deposit Accounts for

 

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the conduct of its business (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrowers’ and their respective Subsidiaries’ credit card accounts and credit card processing services). Additionally, the Administrative Agent shall be the principal provider of other Banking Services to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

Section 5.14. Additional Collateral; Further Assurances.

(a) Subject to applicable Requirement of Law, each Loan Party will cause each Material Domestic Subsidiary formed or acquired after the Effective Date to become a Loan Party within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time acceptable to the Administrative Agent) after formation or acquisition thereof by executing a Joinder Agreement. In connection therewith, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information regarding such newly formed or acquired Subsidiaries requested by the Administrative Agent in order to comply with the applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties, and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party that constitutes Collateral.

(b) Within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time acceptable to the Administrative Agent) after formation or acquisition thereof, each Loan Party will cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its Material Domestic Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the Effective Date and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that (1) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary’s U.S. parent and (2) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by such Loan Party or any Material Domestic Subsidiary to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (subject only to Permitted Encumbrances and Liens permitted by the Loan Documents), for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents or other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

 

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(d) If any material assets (other than material assets of a type that would constitute Excluded Collateral) are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien under the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower Representative will (i) notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and (ii) take, and cause each applicable Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

Section 5.15. Post-Closing Covenant.

(a) On or before thirty (30) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion,), each Loan Party shall (i) establish and maintain Lock Boxes with the Administrative Agent, which Lock Boxes shall be subject to a Lock Box Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement, and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent each Deposit Account Control Agreement (as defined in the Security Agreement) required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Security Agreement with respect to any Deposit Account or securities account maintained by any Loan Party with any bank or other financial institution other than the Administrative Agent as of the Effective Date (other than any Excluded Accounts).

(b) On or before one hundred eighty (180) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion,), each Loan Party shall (i) establish its primary treasury relationship with the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 5.13 hereof, (ii) cause all cash, checks or other similar payments relating to or constituting payments made in respect of Receivables (as defined in the Security Agreement) to be delivered by Account Debtors to the Lock Boxes in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement, and (iii) shall deliver evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that each Deposit Account or securities account established and maintained by any Loan Party at banks or other financial institutions other than the Administrative Agent have been closed.

(c) On or before ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Borrowers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to each location of each Loan Party where Collateral is stored or located as of the Effective Date to the extent a Collateral Access Agreement for such location has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Security Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

Section 6.01. Indebtedness. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Secured Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) hereof;

(c) Indebtedness of any Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(d) Guarantees by any Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (d) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations;

(e) Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (whether or not constituting purchase money Indebtedness), including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) below; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 120 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) below, shall not exceed $40,000,000, at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b), (d), (e), (j) and (s) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount or interest rate of the Original Indebtedness, (ii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to

 

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any additional property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iii) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (iv) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (v) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness other than fees and interests are not, taken as a whole, less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are, taken as a whole, at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness;

(g) Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h) Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

(i) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any assets; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or such assets are acquired and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary or the acquisition of such assets and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (i), together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) above, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 30% of EBITDA, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Indebtedness, at any time outstanding and so long the Borrowers are in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.12 after giving effect thereto;

(j) Indebtedness arising out of the creation of any Lien (other than Liens securing debt for borrowed money) permitted by Section 6.02;

(k) Guarantees in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted under this Section 6.01;

(l) Indebtedness under any Swap Agreement not entered into for speculative purposes permitted by Section 6.07;

(m) Banking Services Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protection and similar arrangements, in each case, in connection with cash management and Deposit Accounts;

(n) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances supporting trade payables, warehouse receipts or similar facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(p) Indebtedness incurred to finance insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount of such insurance premiums;

(q) Subordinated Indebtedness, senior subordinated Indebtedness or second lien Indebtedness of any Borrower for any fiscal quarter in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, at the time of incurrence or issuance of any such subordinated Indebtedness, senior subordinated Indebtedness or second lien Indebtedness, $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that (A) such Indebtedness does not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the 91st day after the Maturity Date, (B) the covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms of such indebtedness, are not, in the aggregate, materially more restrictive on such Borrower than the terms of this Agreement (as in effect at the time of such issuance or incurrence and as reasonably determined by such Borrower) and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than (x) as a condition to taking specified actions or (y) financial performance standards not more restrictive than in the Credit Agreement, and (C)(x) if such indebtedness is senior subordinated or subordinated indebtedness, the terms of such indebtedness provide for customary subordination of such indebtedness to the Secured Obligations and (y) if such indebtedness is second lien indebtedness, such indebtedness shall be subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and

(r) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $30,000,000 at any time outstanding.

Section 6.02. Liens. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) any Lien on any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary other than after-acquired property that is affixed to or incorporated in the property covered by such Lien and the proceeds and products thereof and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by any Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 120 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Borrower or any Subsidiary or any other Borrower or Subsidiary;

 

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(e) any Lien existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) prior to the acquisition thereof by any Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Loan Party; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Loan Party and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Loan Party, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(f) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(g) Liens arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(h) Liens (i) arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by any Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business and (ii) arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code;

(i) operating leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses of property in the ordinary course of business or rights reserved to or vested in any Person by the terms of any operating lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by any Borrower or any Subsidiary or by a statutory provision to terminate any such operating lease, license, franchise, grant or permit or to require periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

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

(k) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements (or similar filings under other applicable law) regarding operating leases or consignment or bailee arrangements;

(l) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums thereof in an amount not to exceed the premiums of such insurance policies;

(m) Liens on property not constituting Collateral, securing Indebtedness (i) in a principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding and (ii) otherwise permitted under Section 6.01(r);

(n) Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Borrower or another Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary;

(o) Liens (i) solely on any cash earnest money deposits or Permitted Investments made by any Borrower or any other Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to any acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder and (ii) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a transaction permitted under Section 6.05; and

 

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(p) Liens with respect to any Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(q).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Liens permitted pursuant to this Section 6.02 may at any time attach to any Loan Party’s (1) Accounts, other than those Liens permitted under clause (a) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) or (k) above, (2) Inventory, other than those Liens permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clauses (a), (j) or (k) above and (3) Compression Units and other Equipment, other than those permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a), (i), (j) and (k) above.

Section 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or otherwise Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (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 (i) any Subsidiary of any Borrower may merge into a Borrower in a transaction in which such Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) may merge into any other Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party, (iii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower which owns such Subsidiary determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of such Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and (iv) any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) may merge or consolidate with any Person to effectuate a disposition permitted under Section 6.05 or an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04; provided, further, that this Section 6.04 shall not restrict the Parent IPO.

(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, if any Loan Party that is a limited liability company consummates a Division (with or without the prior consent of Administrative Agent as required above), each Division Successor shall be required to comply with the obligations set forth in Section 5.14 and the other further assurances obligations set forth in the Loan Documents and become a Loan Party under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(c) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, (i) engage in any business other than the Line of Business conducted by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on the date hereof or (ii) acquire or make any other expenditure (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any properties or assets not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States, Canada or any Approved Jurisdiction.

(d) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

 

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(e) No Loan Party will change the accounting basis upon which its financial statements are prepared, except as required by GAAP, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(f) No Loan Party will change the tax filing elections it has made under the Code without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

Section 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, form any subsidiary after the Effective Date, or purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any evidences of Indebtedness or Equity Interests or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise) (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

(a) Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;

(b) Investments in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule 6.04;

(c) Investments by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, provided that (i) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to in Section 5.14) and (ii) the aggregate amount of investments by Loan Parties in (x) Subsidiaries and (y) any other Persons, in each of clauses (x) and (y), that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs) (plus any returns of capital actually received by the respective investor in respect of investments theretofore made by it pursuant to this paragraph (c));

(d) loans or advances made by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement and (ii) the amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to (x) Subsidiaries and (y) any other Persons, in each of clauses (x) and (y), that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs) (plus any returns of capital actually received by the respective investor in respect of investments theretofore made by it pursuant to this paragraph (d));

 

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(e) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of (x) Subsidiaries and (y) any other Persons, in each of clauses (x) and (y), that are not Loan Parties that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d)) shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs) (plus any returns of capital actually received by the respective investor in respect of investments theretofore made by it pursuant to this paragraph (e));

(f) loans or advances made by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary to any employees, officers or directors (or equivalent managers) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(g) notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;

(h) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(i) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Borrower or consolidates or merges with a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (including in connection with a permitted acquisition) so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;

(j) Investments received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(k) Investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances”;

(l) Permitted Acquisitions;

(m) Investments consisting of Indebtedness, Liens, mergers, consolidations, Dispositions, Sale and Leaseback Transactions, prepayments and repurchases of Indebtedness and Affiliate transaction permitted under Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.06, 6.08(b) and 6.09;

(n) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;

(o) Guarantees of leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations not constituting Indebtedness, in each case in the ordinary course of business; and

(p) any other Investments (other than Acquisitions) so long as the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied with respect to such Investment.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Investment if the effect of such transaction is to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, contribute, assign or otherwise dispose of any Intellectual Property owned by any Loan Party that is material to the business of the Loan Parties to any Person other than a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States, other than pursuant to a transaction permitted under Section 6.05.

Section 6.05. Asset Sales. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, Dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will any Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to another Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:

(a) (i) leases of Compression Units in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Dispositions of used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) Dispositions of Inventory of Compression Units in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Dispositions of assets to any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such Dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09;

(c) Dispositions of Accounts in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;

(d) Dispositions of Permitted Investments and other investments permitted by Section 6.04(i) or 6.04(k);

(e) Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(f) Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) Dispositions of property that is not included in the determination of the Borrowing Base in the ordinary course of business to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(h) terminations of Swap Agreements;

(i) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contractual rights or other litigation claims not to exceed $3,000,000 in any fiscal year; and

(j) Dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold) that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section, provided that the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (j) shall not exceed $10,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Borrowers;

 

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provided that all Dispositions permitted hereby (x) other than those permitted by paragraphs (b), (c), (h) and (f) above shall be made for fair value as reasonably determined by the Borrowers and (y) other than those permitted by paragraphs (b), (f), (g), (h) and (i) for at least 75% cash or Permitted Investment consideration.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except as expressly permitted by clause (a) of this Section 6.05, or with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, contribute, assign or otherwise dispose of any Intellectual Property owned by any Loan Party that is material to the business of any Loan Party to any Person other than a Loan Party that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

Section 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”), except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by any Borrower or any Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 120 days after such Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset.

Section 6.07. Swap Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of any Borrower or any Subsidiary), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of any Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Section 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.

(a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except:

(i) each Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), and, with respect to its preferred Equity Interests, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) or in shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests);

(ii) (x) Loan Parties may declare and pay dividends to other Loan Parties ratably with respect to their Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) and (y) Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties may declare and pay dividends to other Subsidiaries ratably with respect to their Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests);

 

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(iii) the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans, profits interest plans, the exercise, retirement for value, or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, stock options, warrants, restricted stock and phantom stock) or arrangements or any other benefit plans for management, present or former employees, directors, consultants or other service providers of any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (or their respective Affiliates, estates or immediate family members) in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 during any fiscal year;

(iv) Borrowers may make Permitted Tax Distributions; provided that, prior to the occurrence of the Parent IPO, no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from such payment;

(v) Following the occurrence of the Parent IPO, the Borrowers may make, to the extent necessary for Pubco Parent to make payments when due and payable pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, cash distributions to any direct or indirect parent of such Borrower;

(v) following the occurrence of the Parent IPO, the Borrowers may make Permitted Parent Distributions, so long as (x) no Event of Default exists or would result from such payment and (y) the Borrowers are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.12;

(vi) the Borrowers may make a one-time Restricted Payment on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000;

(vii) the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section 6.08(a), so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied; and

(viii) at any time following the consummation of a the Parent IPO, so long as no Specified Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of declaration of any such dividend, the Subsidiaries may (or may make dividends to Parent Borrower or any parent thereof to enable it to) declare and pay dividends with respect to any Equity Interest in an amount of up to 8% per annum of the Market Capitalization, plus 8% per annum of the net proceeds from the Parent IPO (including, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) any proceeds from the initial offering of Equity Interests of any special purpose acquisition company, targeted acquisition company or other entity similar to the foregoing (or any Subsidiary thereof) consummated prior to any acquisition by such special purpose acquisition company, targeted acquisition company or other entity similar to the foregoing (or any Subsidiary thereof), as applicable, and/or (y) any minority investment in such Equity Interests (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any private investment in public equity consummated in connection with any acquisition by any special purpose acquisition company, targeted acquisition company or other entity similar to the foregoing (or any Subsidiary thereof))).

 

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(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Indebtedness, except:

(i) payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(ii) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of the Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(iii) refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv) payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05; and

(v) payments or prepayments of Indebtedness, so long as the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied with respect thereto.

Section 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrowers or such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among any Borrower and any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any Investment permitted by Sections 6.04(c), 6.04(d), or 6.04(e) (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c), (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors (or equivalent managers) permitted under Section 6.04, (g) the payment of fees and other amounts to directors (or equivalent managers) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary who are not employees of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and compensation and benefits made pursuant to benefit plans, programs, agreements, policies and arrangements paid to, and indemnities and expense reimbursements provided for the benefit of, directors, officers, employees or service providers of any Loan Party and any Subsidiary; (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options, profits interests, stock ownership and other equity or equity-based plans or any other benefit plans, programs, agreements, policies and arrangements; (i) Guarantees permitted by Section 6.01 and (j) transactions with customers, clients or suppliers for the purchase or sale of goods and services entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Section 6.10. Restrictive Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or

 

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to make or repay loans or advances to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any Requirement of Law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or any assets which are the subject of a Lien permitted by Section 6.02, (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to any agreement in effect at the time any Person becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary.

Section 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents; Foreign Subsidiaries. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) its charter, articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents or (c) any other material agreement to which it or any other Loan Party is a party, to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be adverse to the Lenders. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, have any Foreign Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries domiciled in Canada or in any other Approved Jurisdiction).

Section 6.12. Financial Covenants.

(a) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrowers will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio, as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.

(b) Maximum Total Leverage Ratio. The Borrowers will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio, as of the end of any calendar quarter commencing with the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2024, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default; Right to Cure

Section 7.01. Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

(a) the Borrowers 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;

 

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(b) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 7.01(a)) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially incorrect when made or deemed made;

(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to a Loan Party’s existence), 5.08, 5.15 or in Article VI;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than those which constitute a default under another Section of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of (i) five (5) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of Section 5.01, 5.02 (other than Section 5.02(a)), 5.03 (other than with respect to a Loan Party’s existence), 5.04 through 5.07, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.13 of this Agreement or in Article VII of the Security Agreement or (ii) fifteen (15) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of any other Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(f) any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall extend beyond any applicable grace period;

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, but in any event only after the expiration of any applicable cure or grace periods) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, 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 to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by Section 6.05;

 

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(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or 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 any Loan Party or Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) any Loan Party or 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 Section 7.01(h), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or 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 action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $35,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment; or (ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail within sixty (60) days to discharge one or more non-monetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgments or orders, in any such case, are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;

(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) a Change in Control shall occur;

(n) [reserved];

(o) the Loan Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty, or any Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08;

(p) except as permitted by the terms of any Collateral Document, (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or (ii) any Lien securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien, except to the extent (x) any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Administrative Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Agreement or (y) such loss of perfected security interest may be remedied by the filing of appropriate documentation without the loss of priority and such loss is promptly remedied by such filing;

 

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(q) any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document; or

(r) any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms).

Section 7.02. Remedies Upon an Event of Default. If an Event of Default occurs, then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Borrower described in Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i)), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:

(a) terminate the Commitments, whereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately;

(b) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, but ratably as among the Classes of Loans and the Loans of each Class at the time outstanding, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any break funding payments) and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers;

(c) require that the Borrowers provide cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j); and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks under the Loan Documents and applicable law.

If an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) occurs with respect to any Borrower, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and the cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any break funding payments) and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.

 

 

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Section 7.03. Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Borrowers fail to comply with the requirements of Section 6.12 as of the last day of any calendar quarter, the amount of any cash equity contribution made to one or more Borrowers (in the form of (or in respect of) (x) common equity of such Borrower or (y) preferred equity of such Borrower (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) issued on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) at any time from such last day of such calendar quarter until the date that is five (5) Business Days after the day on which such financial statements are required to be delivered for such calendar quarter under Section 5.01 (the “Cure Period”), will, at the request of the Borrower Representative, be included as a deemed increase to the calculation of EBITDA or applied as reduction of Funded Indebtedness for the purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.12 at the end of such calendar quarter (the amount of any such contribution so included as a deemed increase to the calculation of EBITDA or applied as a reduction of Funded Indebtedness, a “Specified Equity Contribution”); provided that, (a) with respect to any Specified Equity Contribution included as a deemed increase to the calculation of EBITDA for such period, the Borrower Representative shall designate the quarter for which EBITDA shall be deemed increased for purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.12 (such quarter, a “Designated Quarter”) and such deemed increase in EBITDA shall apply only for such Designated Quarter for such period and any subsequent period that includes such Designated Quarter for purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.12, (b) (i) no more than two (2) Specified Equity Contributions may be made in any consecutive rolling four calendar quarter period, and (ii) Specified Equity Contributions used to increase the calculation of EBITDA may be used to cure violations of both Section 6.12(a) and 6.12(b) simultaneously, (c) a Specified Equity Contribution shall not be greater than the amount required to cause the Loan Parties to be in compliance with the covenants in Section 6.12 as of the applicable period, (d) the Specified Equity Contributions shall be counted solely for the purposes of compliance with Section 6.12 and shall not be included for the purposes of determining the availability or amount of any covenant baskets or carve-outs, (e) any Specified Equity Contribution may be either included as a deemed increase to the calculation of EBITDA or applied as a reduction of Funded Indebtedness, but shall not be treated as both a deemed increase to the calculation of EBITDA and a reduction of Funded Indebtedness in the same period with respect to which such Specified Equity Contribution was applied, and (f) to the extent a Specified Equity Contribution is used to increase the calculation of EBITDA in accordance with this Section 7.03, such Specified Equity Contribution shall increase EBITDA after giving effect to any annualization of EBITDA pursuant to the definitions of “Interest Coverage Ratio” and “Total Leverage Ratio”.

If after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contributions provided for above, the Borrower would then be in compliance with Section 6.12, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Section 6.12 as of the relevant earlier required date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of any such covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purpose of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall exercise the right to accelerate the Loans or terminate the Commitments and none of Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Secured Party shall exercise any right to foreclose on

 

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or take possession of the Collateral or exercise any other remedy pursuant to Article VII, the other Loan Documents or applicable law prior to the end of the applicable Cure Period solely on the basis of an Event of Default occurring and continuing under Section 6.12. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any Cure Period, neither Borrower Representative nor any Borrower shall request and no Lender shall be obligated to fund any Borrowings until the Specified Equity Contribution has been received and deemed to satisfy the requirements of Section 6.12.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

Section 8.01. Authorization and Action.

(a) Each Lender, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and each Issuing Bank authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than within the United States, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s behalf. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.

(b) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and each Issuing Bank; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Banks with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan

 

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Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(c) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. The motivations of the Administrative Agent are commercial in nature and not to invest in the general performance or operations of the Borrowers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty 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); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

(ii) where the Administrative Agent is required or deemed to act as a trustee in respect of any Collateral over which a security interest has been created pursuant to a Loan Document expressed to be governed by the laws of the United States, or is required or deemed to hold any Collateral “on trust” pursuant to the foregoing, the obligations and liabilities of the Administrative Agent to the Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; and

(iii) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account;

(d) The Administrative Agent may perform any 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 of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers 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

 

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apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.

(e) The Arrangers shall not have any obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but the Arrangers shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.

(f) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

(g) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrowers’ right to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, no Borrower nor any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.

 

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Section 8.02. Administrative Agents Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc..

(a) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of 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 to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (x) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 5.02 unless and until written notice thereof delivered in accordance with Section 5.02 of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative, or (y) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of Default” or a “notice of an Event of Default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. Further, 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 any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral.

 

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(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

Section 8.03. Posting of Communications.

(a) The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks by posting the Communications on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic system chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”).

(b) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(c) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR

 

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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 BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR THE ARRANGERS OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM (OTHER THAN AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR THE ARRANGERS OR APPLICABLE RELATED PARTY).

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 by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.

(d) Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.

(e) Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(f) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

Section 8.04. The Administrative Agent Individually. With respect to its Commitment, Loans (including Swingline Loans) and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The terms “Issuing Bank”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its

 

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individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent 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 banking, trust or other business with, any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank.

Section 8.05. Successor Administrative Agent.

(a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower Representative, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. In either case, such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrowers, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and Loan Document, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the

 

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rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.

Section 8.06. Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank.

(a) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) in participating as a Lender, it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or Issuing Bank, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of investing in the general performance or operations of the Borrowers, or for the purposes of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument such as a security (and each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing, such as a claim under the federal or state securities laws), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their Affiliates) 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.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Effective Date, 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 or the effective date of any such Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall have become a Lender hereunder.

 

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(c) Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the Administrative Agent (A) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to a Report and (B) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report; (iii) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel and that the Administrative Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (iv) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, (A) it will hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any extension of credit that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to a Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (B) it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

(d) (i) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender or such Issuing Bank that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender or such Issuing Bank from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender or such Issuing Bank (whether or not known to such Lender or such Issuing Bank), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, 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 Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or Issuing Bank under this Section 8.06(d) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(ii) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment 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 a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(iii) Each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Lender or any Issuing Bank that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender or such Issuing Bank with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower or any other Loan Party, except to the extent such erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds of a Borrower or other Loan Party.

(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.06(d) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuing Bank, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.

Section 8.07. Collateral Matters.

(a) Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.08 or with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof. In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

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(b) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Banking Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations and no Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Banking Services or Swap Agreement, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.

(c) The Secured Parties irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(b). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, if any Loan Party ceases to be wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by a Borrower, such Subsidiary shall not be released from its Guarantee and no Liens created by the Loan Documents in the Collateral owned by such Loan Party shall be released unless either (x) such Loan Party is no longer a direct or indirect Subsidiary of any Borrower as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or (y) more than a de minimis portion of the Equity Interests of such Loan Party is disposed in a transaction not prohibited under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a Person that is not an Affiliate of a Loan Party for a bona fide business purpose (and not to evade the collateral and guarantee requirements under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents).

Section 8.08. Credit Bidding. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated

 

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claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership interests, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

Section 8.09. 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, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any 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 the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

 

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(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 sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in 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 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, 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, the Arrangers or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the Collateral or the assets of such Lender (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 the Arrangers hereby inform 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

 

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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, this Agreement and any other Loan Document, (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 8.10. Reserved.

Section 8.11. Borrower Communications.

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks agree that, pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Borrower Communications to the Administrative Agent through an electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Borrower Portal”).

As used in this Section 8.11, “Borrower Communications” means, collectively, any Borrowing Request, Interest Election Request, Compliance Certificate, Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting documentation, notice of prepayment, notice requesting the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit or other 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 by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent through the Approved Borrower Portal, in each case to the extent arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Although the Approved Borrower Portal and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system), each Lender, each Issuing Bank, and each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, (ii) the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting administrators, representatives, or contacts of the Borrowers added to the Approved Borrower Portal, and (iii) there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each Lender, each Issuing Bank, and each Borrower hereby approves distribution of Borrower Communications through the Approved Borrower Portal and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(c) THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR

 

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ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND THE BORROWER 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 BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APPLICABLE PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY BORROWER’S TRANSMISSION OF BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL (PROVIDED THAT THIS SENTENCE SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY LIABILITY DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR BAD FAITH OF SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY).

(d) Each Lender, each Issuing Bank, and each Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Borrower Communications on the Approved Borrower Portal in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(e) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Loan Parties to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01. Notices.

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, Electronic System or the Approved Borrower Portal (and subject in each case 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 facsimile or e-mail, as follows:

(i) if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower Representative at:

Flowco MasterCo LLC

2415 West Alabama St, Suite 220

Houston, TX 77098

Attention: Joe Bob Edwards

Email: jedwards@flogistix.com

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

 

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c/o GEC Advisors LLC

2415 West Alabama St, Suite 220

Houston, TX 77098

Attention: Alexander Chmelev

Email: alex@geclp.com

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent from any Loan Party, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

1900 North Akard Street, 3rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Devin Mock

Email: devin.mock@jpmorgan.com

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

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 3600

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Benjamin Ratliff

Email: benjamin.ratliff@nortonrosefulbright.com

(iii) if to the Administrative Agent from the Lenders, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

1900 North Akard Street, 3rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Devin Mock

Email: devin.mock@jpmorgan.com

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

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 3600

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Benjamin Ratliff

Email: benjamin.ratliff@nortonrosefulbright.com

(iv) if to an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, to it at its address separately provided to the Borrowers; and

(v) if to any other Lender, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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All such notices and other communications (A) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, (B) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient, or (C) delivered through Electronic System, Approved Electronic Platform, or Approved Borrower Portal, as applicable, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.

(b) Notices and other communications to any Borrower, any Loan Party, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic System, Approved Electronic Platform, or Approved Borrower Portal, as applicable, and in each case pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II or to Compliance Certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(d) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic System, Approved Electronic Platform, or Approved Borrower Portal, as applicable, and in each case pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) 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), provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) 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 (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

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 or under any other Loan Document 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 and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party 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 of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

 

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(b) Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.09(f) (with respect to any commitment increase) and subject to Sections 2.14(c), 2.14(d) and 2.14(e) and Section 9.02(e) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or (y) 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, with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) affected thereby (provided that (1) any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or any defined term used therein) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause and (2) any waiver or reduction of a post-default increase in the interest or fees payable hereunder shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders (and shall not require the consent of each adversely affected Lender)), (iii) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations 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 (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) adversely affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.10(b), 2.18(b) or 2.18(d) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the manner in which payments are shared, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (v) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base or add new categories of eligible assets, without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender), (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (vii) change Section 2.20 without the consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (viii) release any Guarantor from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (ix) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or (x) subordinate or have the effect of subordinating (whether by contract, structurally or otherwise, including any entry into any intercreditor or subordination agreement or terms) (A) the Liens securing or purporting to secure any of the Obligations to the Liens securing any other Indebtedness or other obligations or (B) any of the Obligations in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or other obligations, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent,

 

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such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.06 or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between any Borrower and an Issuing Bank regarding such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between any Borrower and an Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively. The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class), may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.

(c) The Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, and the cash collateralization of all Unliquidated Obligations in a manner satisfactory to each affected Lender, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of (or subject to any other type of transaction) if the Borrower Representative certifies to the Administrative Agent that the sale, disposition or other transaction is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the subject project constitutes 100% of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release any Loan Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary, (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(d) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrowers may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity that is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all

 

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purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrowers shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrowers hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower Representative only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect, inconsistency, obvious error or any error or omission of a technical nature or any necessary or desirable technical change.

Section 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Expenses. The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, pay all (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through any Electronic System or Approved Electronic Platform) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent as counsel to the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and, solely in the case of an actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected parties, taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant local jurisdiction to such Persons, taken as a whole)), and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel, in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this

 

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Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. Expenses being reimbursed by the Loan Parties under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with:

(i) subject to Section 5.12, appraisals and insurance reviews;

(ii) subject to Section 5.06, field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination;

(iii) background checks regarding senior management and/or key investors, as deemed necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent;

(iv) Taxes, fees and other charges for (A) lien and title searches and title insurance and (B) recording the mortgages, filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(v) during the existence of an Event of Default, sums paid or incurred to take any action required of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents that such Loan Party fails to pay or take; and

(vi) forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.

All of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses may be charged to the Borrowers as Revolving Loans or to another Deposit Account, all as described in Section 2.18(c).

(b) Limitation of Liability. To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) neither any Borrower nor any Loan Party shall assert, and each Borrower and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Arrangers, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet, any Approved Electronic Platform and any Approved Borrower Portal), and (ii) no party hereto shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, 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, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that (x) nothing in this Section 9.03(b) shall relieve any Borrower or any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 9.03(c), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party and (y) this clause (b) shall not apply to any Liabilities determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Lender-Related Person s or the material breach of any Loan Document by any Lender-Related Person.

 

 

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(c) Indemnity. The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, incremental taxes, liabilities and related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a 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 a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee or the material breach of any Loan Document by such Indemnitee or any Related Party or (y) arise out of any dispute solely among Indemnitees which do not arise out of any act or omission of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any proceeding against the Administrative Agent solely in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as the administrative agent hereunder). WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BORROWERS AND THE BORROWERS AGREE THAT THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNITEE WITH RESPECT TO LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL EXPENSES OF LITIGATION OR PREPARATION THEREFOR), WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH (AND/OR ANY OTHER) INDEMNITEE. This Section 9.03(c) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(d) Lender Reimbursement. Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by any Loan Party under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.03 to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Agent-Related Person”) (to the extent not reimbursed by a Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentage in effect on the date on which such payment is sought under this Section (or, if such payment is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have

 

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terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date), and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person from and against any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent-Related Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or Liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in its capacity as such; provided, further, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such Liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent-Related Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

(e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) other than claims for gross negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement, or (ii) 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, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this paragraph (d) shall relieve any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.

(f) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor.

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 an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any 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 an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, 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.

 

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(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit 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 Representative, provided that the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment of all or a portion of the Revolving Loans and Commitments unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof and provided further that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;

(B) the Administrative Agent;

(C) each Issuing Bank; provided that no consent of an Issuing Bank shall be required if (x) an Event of Default occurs with respect to any Borrower under Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) and (y) such Issuing Bank has no outstanding Letters of Credit at that time; and

(D) the Swingline Lender; provided that no consent of a Swingline Lender shall be required if (x) an Event of Default occurs with respect to any Borrower under Sections 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) and (y) the Swingline Lender has no outstanding Swingline Loans.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, 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 $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative 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;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

 

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(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 Ultimate Parent, the other 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.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof; provided that, with respect to this clause (c), such holding company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Person (other than a Lender) shall be an Ineligible Institution if after giving effect to any proposed assignment to such Person, such Person would hold more than 25% of the then outstanding Aggregate Revolving Exposure or Commitments, as the case may be or (d) any Sponsor Entity, Ultimate Parent, a Loan Party or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of Ultimate Parent.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) 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 and subject to the obligations of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 9.03 and 9.12). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 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.

 

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(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, 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 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 Borrowers, 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 Borrowers, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (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 if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d), 2.06(e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(d), 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. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) other than an Ineligible Institution in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (iii) the Borrowers, 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/or obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of

 

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Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Sections 2.17(f) and 2.17(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information and documentation required under Section 2.17(g) will be delivered to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent)) 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 such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, 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.

Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers’ request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(b) 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 Borrowers, 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 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 Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder,

 

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and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 9.03, 9.12 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 other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

Section 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. (a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) increases or reductions of the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any Issuing Bank 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 subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 9.01), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

 

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each Borrower and each Loan Party hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Lender or any Related Party thereof for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by facsimile, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of any Borrower and/or any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

(c) THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

Section 9.07. Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; 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, 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 law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held, and other obligations at any time owing, by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or 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; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set

 

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off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The applicable Lender, the applicable Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent of such setoff or application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff or application under this Section. 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) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have.

Section 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Texas, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.

(b) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Secured Party relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Collateral or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Texas.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or Texas state court sitting in Dallas, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties 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. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall (i) affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction, (ii) waive any statutory, regulatory, common law, or other rule, doctrine, legal restriction, provision or the like providing for the treatment of bank branches, bank agencies, or other bank offices as if they were separate juridical entities for certain purposes, including Uniform Commercial Code Sections 4-106, 4-A-105(1)(b), and 5-116(b), UCP 600 Article 3 and ISP98 Rule 2.02, and URDG 758 Article 3(a), or (iii) affect which courts have or do not have personal jurisdiction over any Issuing Bank or beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any advising bank, nominated bank or assignee of proceeds thereunder or proper venue with respect to any litigation arising out of or relating to such Letter of Credit with, or affecting the rights of, any Person not a party to this Agreement, whether or not such Letter of Credit contains its own jurisdiction submission clause.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement 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 (c) of this Section. Each of the parties 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.

(e) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY 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, 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 OR OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY 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 BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 9.11. 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.

Section 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), in which case, such Person shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, inform the Borrower Representative promptly in advance thereof and (ii) except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank regulatory authorities, use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment, (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, in which case, such Person shall, except with respect

 

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to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any Governmental Authority exercising examination, governmental or regulatory authority, (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, inform the Borrower Representative promptly in advance thereof and (ii) except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank regulatory authorities, use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower Representative, (h) to holders of Equity Interests in any Borrower, (i) to any Person providing a Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations, (j) 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 non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers, or (k) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of identification numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 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.

EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING ULTIMATE PARENT AND ITS AFFILIATES, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR 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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ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS 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 ULTIMATE PARENT, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS 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, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 9.12 shall prohibit any Person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any Information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (any such entity, a “Regulatory Authority”) to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this Section 9.12 shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such Regulatory Authority.

Section 9.13. Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither any Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrowers in violation of any Requirement of Law.

Section 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 9.15. Disclosure. Each Loan Party, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates.

Section 9.16. Appointment for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

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Section 9.17. Interest Rate Limitation(a) . 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 NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.18. Marketing Consent . The Borrowers hereby authorize JPMCB and its affiliates (collectively, the “JPMCB Parties”) and the Arrangers, at their respective sole expense, and without any prior approval by the Borrowers, to include any Borrower’s name and logo in advertising, marketing, tombstones, case studies and training materials, and to give such other publicity to this Agreement as the JPMCB Parties or the Arrangers may from time to time determine in their sole discretion. The foregoing authorization shall remain in effect unless and until the Borrower Representative notifies JPMCB and the Arrangers in writing that such authorization is revoked; provided that such revocation right shall not be available to the Borrower Representative on and after the consummation of the Parent IPO.

Section 9.19. 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 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:

(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 entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other 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.

Section 9.20. No Fiduciary Duty, etc..

 

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(a) Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to each Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, any Borrower or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising any Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated herein or in the other Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to any Borrower with respect thereto.

(b) Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, in addition to providing or participating in commercial lending facilities such as that provided hereunder, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, any Borrower and other companies with which any Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.

(c) In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which a Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from any Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with such Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to any Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.

Section 9.21. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in

 

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respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

Section 9.22. Joint and Several. Each Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees it is jointly and severally liable to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders for the Secured Obligations. In furtherance thereof, each Borrower agrees that wherever in this Agreement it is provided that a Borrower is liable for a payment, such obligation is the joint and several obligation of each Borrower. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that its joint and several liability under this Agreement and the Loan Documents is absolute and unconditional and shall not in any manner be affected or impaired by any acts or omissions whatsoever by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person. Each Borrower’s liability for the Secured Obligations shall not in any manner be impaired or affected by who receives or uses the proceeds of the credit extended hereunder or for what purposes such proceeds are used, and each Borrower waives notice of borrowing requests issued by, and loans or other extensions of credit made to, other Borrowers. Each Borrower hereby agrees not to exercise or enforce any right of exoneration, contribution, reimbursement, recourse or subrogation available to such Borrower against any party liable for payment under this Agreement and the Loan Documents unless and until the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender have been paid in full and all of the Secured Obligations are satisfied and discharged following termination or expiration of all commitments of the Lenders to extend credit to the Borrowers. Each Borrower’s joint and several liability hereunder with respect to the Secured Obligations shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the unconditional liability of such Borrower irrespective of (i) the validity, enforceability, avoidance or subordination of any of the Secured Obligations or of any other document evidencing all or any part of the Secured Obligations, (ii) the absence of any attempt to collect any of the Secured Obligations from any other Loan Party or any Collateral or other security therefor, or the absence of any other action to enforce the same, (iii) the amendment, modification, waiver, consent, extension, forbearance or granting of any

 

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indulgence by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any provision of any instrument executed by any other Loan Party evidencing or securing the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, or any other agreement now or hereafter executed by any other Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent, (iv) the failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to take any steps to perfect or maintain the perfected status of its Lien upon, or to preserve its rights to, any of the Collateral or other security for the payment or performance of any of the Secured Obligations or the Administrative Agent’s release of any Collateral or of its Liens upon any Collateral, (v) the release or compromise, in whole or in part, of the liability of any other Loan Party for the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, (vi) any increase in the amount of the Secured Obligations beyond any limits imposed herein or in the amount of any interest, fees or other charges payable in connection therewith, in each case, if consented to by any other Borrower, or any decrease in the same, or (vii) any other circumstance that might constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any Loan Party. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may proceed directly and at once, without notice to any Borrower, against any or all of the Loan Parties to collect and recover all or any part of the Secured Obligations, without first proceeding against any other Loan Party or against any Collateral or other security for the payment or performance of any of the Secured Obligations, and each Borrower waives any provision that might otherwise require the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under applicable law to pursue or exhaust remedies against any Collateral or other Loan Party before pursuing such Borrower or its property. Each Borrower consents and agrees that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or against or in payment of any or all of the Secured Obligations.

Section 9.23. Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement is an amendment and restatement of the Existing Estis Credit Agreement. All obligations under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and all Liens securing payment of obligations under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement shall in all respects be continuing and this Agreement shall not be deemed to evidence or result in a novation or repayment and re-borrowing of such obligations. The rights, titles, Liens, security interests, and assignments created and granted under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and the other Existing Estis Security Documents in favor of the Existing Estis Agent, as applicable, are hereby transferred, assigned, conveyed, hypothecated, renewed, continued, amended, restated and supplemented to the fullest extent legally permitted in favor of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, and nothing contained herein is intended to impair or extinguish the Liens, security interests, assignments, privileges and priorities of the Liens granted pursuant to the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and the other Existing Estis Security Documents, as hereby amended and restated, and such Liens, security interests, assignments and privileges are and will remain in full force and effect. The parties hereto expressly recognize and confirm their intent to continue the effectiveness and priority of the Liens, security interests, assignments and privileges granted under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement and other Existing Estis Security Documents, as hereby renewed, extended, and modified to secure the Secured Obligations. This Agreement shall supersede the Existing Estis Credit Agreement. From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall govern the terms of the obligations under the Existing Estis Credit Agreement.

The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree to the Pre-Closing Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in, or any obligations of the Loan Parties related thereto arising under, the Existing Estis Credit Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE X

Loan Guaranty

Section 10.01. Guaranty. Each Loan Guarantor (other than those that have delivered a separate Guaranty) hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations and all reasonable and documented costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (such costs and expenses, together with the Secured Obligations, collectively the “Guaranteed Obligations”; provided, however, that the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 10.02. Guaranty of Payment. This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 10.03. No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty. (a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower or any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.

 

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(b) The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

(c) Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of any Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).

Section 10.04. Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party or any other Person. Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

Section 10.05. Rights of Subrogation. No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against any Obligated Party or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders.

 

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Section 10.06. Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

Section 10.07. Information. Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

Section 10.08. Termination. Each of the Lenders and Issuing Banks may continue to make loans or extend credit to the Borrowers based on this Loan Guaranty until five (5) days after it receives written notice of termination from any Loan Guarantor. Notwithstanding receipt of any such notice, each Loan Guarantor will continue to be liable to the Lenders for any Guaranteed Obligations created, assumed or committed to prior to the fifth day after receipt of the notice, and all subsequent renewals, extensions, modifications and amendments with respect to, or substitutions for, all or any part of such Guaranteed Obligations. Nothing in this Section 10.08 shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of, or eliminate, limit, reduce or otherwise impair any rights or remedies the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have in respect of, any Default or Event of Default that shall exist under Section 7.01(o) hereof as a result of any such notice of termination.

Section 10.09. Taxes. Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be made by each Loan Guarantor without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law. If any Loan Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Loan Guarantor may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.

Section 10.10. Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act,

 

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Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

Section 10.11. Contribution.

(a) To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment and the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

(b) As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

(c) This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.

(d) The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

(e) The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 10.12. Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

 

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Section 10.13. Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE XI

The Borrower Representative

Section 11.01. Appointment; Nature of Relationship. Parent Borrower is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the “Borrower Representative”) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Article XI. Additionally, the Borrowers hereby appoint the Borrower Representative as their agent to direct all of the proceeds of the Loans to the applicable Funding Account of each Borrower, provided that, in the case of a Revolving Loan, such amount shall not exceed Availability. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.01.

Section 11.02. Powers. The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.

Section 11.03. Employment of Agents. The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.

Section 11.04. Notices. Each Borrower shall immediately notify the Borrower Representative of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder referring to this Agreement describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Borrower Representative receives such a notice, the Borrower Representative shall give prompt notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Any notice provided to the Borrower Representative hereunder shall constitute notice to each Borrower on the date received by the Borrower Representative.

Section 11.05. Successor Borrower Representative. Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.

Section 11.06. Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate. The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Borrowing Base Certificates and the Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWERS:

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Joe Bob Edwards
  Name: Joe Bob Edwards
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

FLOWCO PRODUCTIONS LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer

ESTIS INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

FLOGISTIX INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Jim Merrill
  Name: Jim Merrill
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

ESTIS COMPRESSION, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

MCCLUNG ENERGY SERVICES, LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

ESTIS COMPRESSION MANAGEMENT, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

MCCLUNG MANAGEMENT LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

ESTIS MANAGEMENT LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Christopher Courtney
  Name: Christopher Courtney
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

FLOGISTIX, LP,

a Texas limited partnership

By:   Flogistix GP, LLC, its General Partner
By:   /s/ Jim Merrill
  Name: Jim Merrill
  Title: Treasurer

FLOGISTIX GP, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/ Jim Merrill
  Name: Jim Merrill
  Title: Treasurer

GAS LIFT PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer

INDUSTRIAL VALVE MANUFACTURING LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:
PATRIOT ARTIFICIAL LIFT, LLC,
a Texas limited liability company
By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer
FPS LOGISTICS, L.L.C.,
a Texas limited liability company
By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer
SPM COMPLETION SYSTEMS, LLC,
a Texas limited liability company
By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer
FPS PROPERTIES LLC,
a Texas limited liability company
By:   Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member
By:   /s/ Susan Horton
  Name: Susan Horton
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

individually and as Administrative Agent,

Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender, Lender and, solely with respect to Section 9.23, and the Existing Estis Agent
By:   /s/ J. Devin Mock
  Name: J. Devin Mock
  Title: Authorized Officer

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


LENDERS:
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Alkesh Nanavaty
  Name: Alkesh Nanavaty
  Title: Executive Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Becca Xu
  Name: Becca Xu
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


BANK OZK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael Song
  Name: Michael Song
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


REGIONS BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Charles Brickley
  Name: Charles Brickley
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


BANK OF MONTREAL – CHICAGO BRANCH, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Mark Gray
  Name: Mark Gray
  Title: Managing Director
By:   /s/ Mitko Ivanov
  Name: Mitko Ivanov
  Title: Director
By:   /s/ Belinda Yeboah
  Name: Belinda Yeboah
  Title: Field Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Christopher Solley
  Name: Christopher Solley
  Title: Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


TEXAS CAPITAL BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Jerra Hayden
  Name: Jerra Hayden
  Title: Director

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


CADENCE BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Timothy Ashe
  Name: Timothy Ashe
  Title: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


BOKF, NA, dba BOK Financial, as a Lender
By:   /s/ David Risen
  Name: David Risen
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement]


COMMITMENT SCHEDULE

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 140,000,000.00  

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

   $ 100,000,000.00  

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 90,000,000.00  

Bank OZK

   $ 90,000,000.00  

Regions Bank

   $ 60,000,000.00  

Bank of Montreal

   $ 60,000,000.00  

First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company

   $ 50,000,000.00  

Texas Capital Bank

   $ 50,000,000.00  

Cadence Bank

   $ 40,000,000.00  

BOKF, NA

   $ 20,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 700,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

Commitment Schedule


EXHIBIT A

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and other rights of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:    ______________________________
2.    Assignee:    ______________________________
      [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1]
3.    Borrower(s):    Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

1 

Select as applicable.

 

Exhibit A


4.    Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:    The $700,000,000 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024, among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto
6.    Assigned Interest:   

 

Facility Assigned2

  

Aggregate Amount of Commitment/
Loans for all Lenders

  

Amount of Commitment/Loans
Assigned

  

Percentage Assigned of Commitment/
Loans3

   $    $    %
   $    $    %
   $    $    %

Effective Date: _____________ ___, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed 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 Ultimate Parent, the other 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.

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Title:
ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:

   
  Title:

  

 

2 

Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g. “Revolving Commitment” etc.)

3 

Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

Exhibit A


[Consented to and]4 Accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
[Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and Lender]
By    
  Title:
[Consented to:]5
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By    
  Title:

 

4 

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent and/or Issuing Bank, as applicable, is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

5 

To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g., Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

Exhibit A


ANNEX 1

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

[__________________]29

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, (iv) any requirements under applicable law for the Assignee to become a lender under the Credit Agreement or to charge interest at the rate set forth therein from time to time, or (v) the performance or observance by any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement and under applicable law that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of this type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Assignor or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties, and (vi) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Assignor or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it shall

 

29 

Describe Credit Agreement at option of Administrative Agent.

 

Exhibit A


deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Without limiting the foregoing, the Assignee represents and warrants, and agrees to, each of the matters set forth in Section 8.06 of the Credit Agreement, including that the Loan Documents set out the terms of a commercial lending facility.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Approved Electronic Platform shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.

 

Exhibit A


EXHIBIT B

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

[Attached]

 

Exhibit B


EXHIBIT C

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:

The Lenders parties to the

Credit Agreement Described Below

This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES, ON ITS BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE BORROWERS, THAT:

1. I am the duly elected [_________] of the Borrower Representative;

2. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of Borrower Representative and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements [for quarterly or monthly financial statements add: and such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower Representative 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];

3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, except as set forth below, and I have no knowledge of (i) the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate or (ii) any change in GAAP or in the application thereof that has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 of the Agreement;

4. I hereby certify that no Loan Party has changed (i) its name, (ii) its chief executive office, (iii) principal place of business, (iv) the type of entity it is or (v) its state of incorporation or organization without having given the Administrative Agent the notice required by Section 4.15 of the Security Agreement;

5. Schedule I attached hereto sets forth (i) financial data and computations evidencing the Borrowers’ compliance with Section 6.12 of the Agreement, all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct in all respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein), and (ii) the Category from the definition of Applicable Rate determined by the computations.7

 

7 

Schedule I must include detailed calculation tables for all components of the financial covenant calculations.

 

Exhibit C


Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 by listing, in detail, the (i) nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrowers have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect to each such condition or event or (ii) the change in GAAP or the application thereof and the effect of such change on the attached financial statements:

 

       
    
    

 

Exhibit C


The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Schedule I hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this __ day of ____________, ______.

 

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC,

as Borrower Representative

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Exhibit C


SCHEDULE I

Compliance as of _________, ____ with

Provisions of ____ and ____ of the Agreement

 

(i)

[Schedule I must include detailed calculation tables for all components of the financial covenant calculations.]

 

(ii)

Category from the definition of Applicable Rate determined by the computations: ________________

 

Exhibit C


EXHIBIT D

JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of __________, ____, 20__, is entered into between ________________________________, a _________________ (the “New Subsidiary”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) under that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, hereby agree as follows:

1. The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a Loan Party under the Credit Agreement and a “Loan Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the obligations of a Loan Party and a Loan Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement. The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement, including without limitation (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement, *[and]* (b) all of the covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of the Credit Agreement *[and (c) all of the guaranty obligations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the New Subsidiary, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 10.10 and 10.13 of the Credit Agreement, hereby guarantees, jointly and severally with the other Loan Guarantors, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof and agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid or performed in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise), the New Subsidiary will, jointly and severally together with the other Loan Guarantors, promptly pay and perform the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.]* *[The New Subsidiary has delivered to the Administrative Agent an executed Loan Guaranty.]*

 

Exhibit D


2. If required, the New Subsidiary is, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, executing and delivering such Collateral Documents (and such other documents and instruments) as requested by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

3. The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement is as follows:

 

                      

                      

                      

4. The New Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the New Subsidiary upon the execution of this Agreement by the New Subsidiary.

5. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NEW SUBSIDIARY]
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
Acknowledged and accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Exhibit D


EXHIBIT E-1

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Date: __________ ___, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit E-1


EXHIBIT E-2

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
Date:   __________ ___, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit E-2


EXHIBIT E-3

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Exhibit E-3


[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
Date:   __________ ___, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit E-3


EXHIBIT E-4

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 20, 2024,(as amended, restated, amended and restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Flowco MasterCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Parent Borrower (“Borrower Representative”), Flowco Productions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flowco”), Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Flogistix”), and Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the Borrower Representative, Flowco and Flogistix, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Exhibit E-4


[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
Date:   __________ ___, 20[

 

Exhibit E-4


SCHEDULE 3.05

PROPERTIES

Properties:

 

Loan Party

  

Owned/Leased

  

Address

McClung Energy Services, LLC    Owned   

2019 Hwy 135 North

Kilgore, TX 75662

McClung Energy Services, LLC    Leased   

4005 FM 349

Kilgore, TX 75662

McClung Energy Services, LLC    Leased   

1507 N. Longview St.

Kilgore, Texas 75662

Estis Compression, LLC    Leased   

4321 E. Derrick Road,

Carlsbad, NM 88220

Estis Compression, LLC    Leased   

1603 N FM 1788 Midland,

TX 79707

Flogistix, LP    Owned   

2538 West Kentucky

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Owned   

2600 West Kentucky

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Owned   

Land - Northeast quarter of Section 126, Block 3, Gray County, TX (directly north of above locations)

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

6529 N Classen Blvd

Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1912 & 1900 Ratcliff Drive

Gillette, WY 82716

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

911 SE 35th St

El Reno, OK 73036

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

9629 S FM 51

Boyd, TX 76023

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

2014 E. County Rd. 130

Midland, TX 79706

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1810 San Jose Blvd

Carlsbad, NM 88220

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1316 11th Ave SE

Watford City, ND 58854

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

66817 Executive Dr.

St. Clairsville, OH 43950

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

125 John Stockbauer Dr

Victoria, TX 77901

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

6104 Highway 64

Bloomfield, NM 87413

 

Exhibit E-4


Flogistix, LP    Leased   

14052 Valley Dr

Longmont, CO 80504

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

11455 Energy Center Rd.

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

11824 US Hwy 60

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

11066 Hwy 67 S

San Angelo, TX 76904

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1204 S Main

Shamrock, TX 79079

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1302 S. 3rd

Chickasha, OK 73018

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

321 S. Boston, Suite 300

Tulsa, OK 74103

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

1333 N. Price Rd.

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

23 Rainin Road

Woburn, MA 01801

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

6700 Paradise Rd Ste A-1

Las Vegas, NV 89119

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

806 21 1/2 Road

Grand Junction, CO 81505

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

6100 E Hwy 66

El Reno, OK 73036

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

3416 Garman Road

Gillette, WY 82716

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

507 Riner Ave

Wamsutter, WY 82336

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

11795 FM 750 McCullough St.

Pampa, TX 79065

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

5700 N. Classen

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

3020 Teresa Ave.

McAllen, TX 78503

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

6194 US Highway 83

Shamrock, TX 79079

Flogistix, LP    Leased   

Mobile Mini Storage Unit / 5 Miles East of Cotulla

Cotulla, TX 78014

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

4415, 4417 & 4419 Industrial Pkwy

Evans, CO 80620

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

4424 CR 43 Units 306-307

Hudson, CO 80642

 

Exhibit E-4


Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

1404 22nd Avenue NW

Watford City, ND 58854

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

14068 James Drive

Williston, ND 58801

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

4315 Oil Patch Drive

Woodward, OK 73801

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

4 Four Coins Drive, Unit C

Canonsburg, PA 15317

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

500 Hwy 323 E

Overton, TX 75684

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

6499 Granbury HWY

Weatherford, TX 76087

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

2302 Iturbide

Zapata, TX 78076

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

1207 Meadow Drive

Midland, TX 79703

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

12514 Cutten Road Suite A

Houston, TX 77066

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

1015 Champions Dr. Ste. 105 & 107

Aledo, TX 76008

Flowco Productions LLC    Leased   

51 Valley Heights Dr.

Williamsport, PA 17701

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Leased   

6363 San Felipe Drive, Apartment 328

Houston, TX 77057

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Leased   

5810 Deauville Blvd. #524

Midland, TX 79706

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Leased   

8409 West Interstate 20, Units 10, 11 & 13

Midland, TX 79706

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Leased   

8001 Brownstone Fr.

Odessa, TX 79765

FPS Properties LLC    Owned   

615, 617 & 619 Second Street

Broussard, LA 70518

 

Exhibit E-4


Intellectual Property:

 

Company or

Subsidiary that is

Owner of the IP

  

Description of IP

  

Registration

Date/Filing

Date

  

Registration

Number/

Application

Number

Estis Compression, LLC   

Trademark: Company Logo (the mark consists of a stylized capital “E” and a reversed stylized backwards “C” over the words ESTIS COMPRESSION)

 

LOGO

   April 16, 2019   

5726882

 

88099324

Estis Compression, LLC   

Trademark: Design only

 

LOGO

  

Filed: January 28, 2020

Registered: March 8, 2022

  

6667394

88776266

Estis Compression, LLC   

Trademark:

 

LOGO

   January 28, 2020    88776269
Estis Compression, LLC    Trademark: WOLF PACK    January 28, 2020    88776272
Estis Compression, LLC    Trademark: ESTIS   

Filed: January 20, 2020

Registered: February 16, 2021

  

6269593

88765853

Estis Compression, LLC    Trademark: GRIZZLY    July 20, 2023    98094054
Estis Compression, LLC    Trademark: THE WOLF   

Filed: January 28, 2020

Registered: March 8, 2022

  

6667393

88776265

Estis Compression, LLC    Trademark: EC ESTIS COMPRESS    August 30, 2018    5726882
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Gas lift compressor system and method for supplying compressed gas to multiple wells    October 31, 2023    US11802556

 

Exhibit E-4


Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Gas lift compressor system and method for supplying compressed gas to multiple wells    May 17, 2022    US11333146
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Gas lift compressor system and method for supplying compressed gas to multiple wells    June 27, 2023    US11686302
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Gas lift compressor system and method for supplying compressed gas to multiple wells    December 7, 2021    US11193483
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    December 29, 2023    US18/400,598
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    December 29, 2023    US18/400,404
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    December 29, 2023    US18/400,238
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    May 10, 2023    US18/195,685
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    March 20, 2024    ARP240100679
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Methane Retention System    March 19, 2024    PCT/US2024/020534
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Fuel gas conditioning system and method    August 29, 2023    US11738303
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Reconfigurable multi-stage gas compressor    October 21, 2022    US17/971,130
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Reconfigurable multi-stage gas compressor    January 10, 2023    US11549496
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Compression emissions evacuator    December 18, 2023    US18/543,321

 

Exhibit E-4


Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Compression emissions evacuator    December 3, 2023    US18/480,132
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Compression emissions evacuator    July 14, 2023    WOUS2023/070215
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Compression emissions evacuator    May 7, 2024    US11976616
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: Vapor Recovery Turbo Compressor    January 1, 2010    US18/095,246
Estis Compression, LLC    Patent: METHANE RETENTION SYSTEM    January 19, 2023    17954242
Estis Compression, LLC   

Domain Name:

estiscompression.com registered with GoDaddy.com

   Renewal April 22, 2031    N/A
Estis Compression, LLC   

Domain Name:

mcclungenergy.com

registered with GoDaddy.com

   Renewal April 22, 2031    N/A
Estis Compression, LLC   

Domain Name:

mcclungenergyservices.com

registered with GoDaddy.com

   Renewal April 17, 2032    N/A
Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Trademark: C-PAC TEST SYSTEM    September 12, 2000    2,384,617
Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Trademark: Go System    May 20, 2008    3,433,088
Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Trademark: Go System    January 27, 2009    3,568,138
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage    March 5, 2024    US11920443
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage    December 20, 2022    US11530599

 

Exhibit E-4


Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage    September 6, 2022    US11434733
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage    August 31, 2021    US11105189
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unitary body bypass plunger and valve cage    May 1, 2018    US9957785
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Dart valves for bypass plungers    April 30, 2019    US10273789
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger with centralized helix and crimple feature    March 13, 2018    US9915133
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Apparatus and method for securing end pieces to a mandrel    November 14, 2023    US11814936
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Apparatus and method for securing end pieces to a mandrel    May 10, 2022    US11326424
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Apparatus and method for securing end pieces to a mandrel    June 9, 2020    US10677027
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Automatic release valve for a bumper spring    August 14, 2018    US10047589
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Robust bumper spring assembly    April 18, 2017    US9624996
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage with sealable ports    February 14, 2023    US11578570
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage with sealable ports    August 2, 2022    US11401789
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage with sealable ports    February 2, 2021    US10907453

 

Exhibit E-4


Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody bypass plunger and valve cage with sealable ports    June 2, 2020    US10669824
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Internal valve plunger    May 31, 2022    US11346193
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Internal valve plunger    February 23, 2021    US10927652
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Internal valve plunger    February 4, 2020    US10550674
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Clutch assembly for bypass plungers    May 8, 2018    US9963957
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Bypass plunger    April 24, 2018    US9951591
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Unibody shift rod plunger    September 18, 2020    US17/025,322
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Clutch Apparatuses, Systems and Methods    August 31, 2022    US17/900,206
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Dart valve assembly for a bypass plunger    June 13, 2017    US9677389
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Latch for a ball and sleeve plunger    May 1, 2018    US9957784
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Split bobbin clutch for bypass plungers    January 16, 2018    US9869401
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Gas assisted plunger lift control system and method    September 15, 2022    US17/945,696
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Gas assisted plunger lift control system and method    September 20, 2022    US11448049

 

Exhibit E-4


Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Apparatuses and methods for scraping    April 5, 2022    US11293267
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Fastening apparatus, system, and method    August 22, 2023    US11732558
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: Apparatus for a plunger system (design)    December 7, 2021    USD937982
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Trademark: PATRIOT SHUTTLE    March 23, 2015    86573266
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Trademark: MAGNUM    March 23, 2015    86573261
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Trademark: CAGED BYPASS    March 23, 2015    86573270
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: Forged flange lubricator    July 21, 2020    US10718327
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: Forged flange lubricator    March 5, 2019    US10221849
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: Well plunger systems    February 2, 2021    US10907452
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: Well plunger systems    December 25, 2018    US10161230
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: AUTO-CYCLING PLUNGER AND METHOD FOR AUTO-CYCLING PLUNGER LIFT    November 21, 2000   

09279054

6148923

Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: BUMPER ASSEMBLY HAVING PROGRESSIVE RATE SPRING    January 21, 2016    14333058
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: BYPASS DART AND ASSEMBLY    July 28, 2016    15087742

 

Exhibit E-4


Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: BYPASS DART AND ASSEMBLY    June 16, 2016    14570269
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: BYPASS DART AND ASSEMBLY    July 28, 2016    15087742
Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Patent: WELL PRODUCTION OPTIMIZING SYSTEM    July 17, 2007   

11031136

7243730

Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: CHOKE MECHANISM FOR A PLUNGER CATCHER    March 30, 2023    US18/128,784
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: WELLHEAD FLOW BLOCK AND FLOW CONTROL MECHANISMS    October 30, 2023    US18/497,590
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: CATCHER ASSEMBLY FOR A PLUNGER    November 14, 2023    US18/508,696
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING FLUID INTO A WELLBORE    December 12, 2023    US18/536,887
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: DOME CAP AND TAILPLUG ASSEMBLY    January 5, 2024    US18/405,908
Flowco Productions LLC    Patent: UNIBODY BYPASS PLUNGER AND VALVE CAGE    February 14, 2024    US18/441,640
Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC dba JMI Manufacturing    Patent: Double barrier gas lift flow control device    October 4, 2022    US11459861
Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC dba JMI Manufacturing    Patent: Double barrier gas lift flow control device    February 21, 2023    US11585193
Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: APEX    December 8, 2022    97708626
Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: BUILT TO OPTIMIZE   

Filed: September 3, 2019

Registered: March 23, 2021

  

6302173

88602710

 

Exhibit E-4


Flowco Productions LLC   

Trademark: F and Design

 

LOGO

  

Filed: May 2, 2018

Registered: July 9, 2019

  

5797193

87904188

Flowco Productions LLC   

Trademark: F and Design

 

LOGO

  

Filed: June 4, 2018

Registered: January 1, 2019

  

5643532

87946965

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: FLOWCO   

Filed: May 2, 2018

Registered: July 23, 2019

  

5810246

87904090

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: FLOWCO   

Filed: June 4, 2018

Registered: January 1, 2019

  

5643530

87946915

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: LIFTMIND   

Filed: July 26, 2021

Registered: March 21, 2023

  

7003219

90848476

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: LIFTSENSE   

Filed: July 26, 2021

Registered: August 1, 2023

  

7123849

90848505

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: LIFTSIGHT   

Filed: September 3, 2019

Registered: March 23, 2021

  

6302172

88602703

Flowco Productions LLC    Trademark: SURGEFLOW    Filed: January 17, 2024    98360551
Industrial Valve and Manufacturing LLC dba JMI Manufacturing    Trademark: GUARDIAN FLOW CONTROL DEVICE    Filed: October 30, 2023    98245948

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC (as successor in interest to Altec, Inc. dba

Altec Gas Lift, Inc.)

   Trademark: VARIABLE LOAD   

Filed: July 2, 1998

Registered: August 28, 2001

  

2483890

75512941

 

Exhibit E-4


Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC

(as successor in interest to Altec, Inc.)

   Trademark: GO SYSTEM    Filed: March 23, 2006 Registered: May 20, 2008   

3433088

78844868

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC

(as successor in interest to Altec, Inc.)

   Trademark: GO SYSTEM   

Filed: March 6, 2007

Registered: January 27, 2009

  

3568138

77123825

Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: jmimfg.com registered

with Amazon Registrar Inc.

  

Renewal

September 9, 2024

   N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: manacompletionsystems.com registered

with Amazon Registrar Inc.

  

Renewal

February 21, 2025

   N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: altecglpes.com registered with

Amazon Registrar Inc.

   Renewal April 6, 2025    N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: oneflowco.com registered with

Amazon Registrar Inc.

   Renewal May 4, 2025    N/A
FlowCo Solutions   

Domain Name: flowco.us registered with

Gandi SAS

   Renewal May 8, 2025    N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: flowcosolutions.com registered with

Amazon Registrar Inc.

   Renewal May 9, 2025    N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: flowcogaslift.com registered with

Amazon Registrar Inc.

   Renewal May 9, 2025    N/A
Flowco Productions LLC   

Domain Name: altecgaslift.com registered with

Amazon Registrar Inc.

   Renewal January 26, 2031    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Trademark: FLOGISTIX   

Filed: June 30, 2011

Registered: October 8, 2013

  

85/360,899

4,415,254

Flogistix, LP    Trademark: FLOGISTIX   

Filed: July 29, 2016

Registered: July 18, 2017

  

87/120,760

5,247,704

 

Exhibit E-4


Flogistix, LP    Trademark: FLO-150K   

Filed: July 29, 2016

Registered: July 18, 2017

  

87/120,766

5,247,705

Flogistix, LP   

Trademark: FLOGISTIX (AND DESIGN)

LOGO

   July 18, 2017    5,247,706
Flogistix, LP    Trademark: AXIL    October 15, 2019    5,886,560
Flogistix, LP    Trademark: FLUX    November 30, 2021    6,573,288
Flogistix, LP   

Trademark: ZERO LOSS, INFINITE GAIN

A (and design)

 

LOGO

   November 30, 2023    98/290,538
Flogistix, LP   

Trademark: A

(and design)

  LOGO    October 24, 2023    1625437
Flogistix, LP    Trademark: COMMARIS    October 24, 2023    7,202,643
Flogistix, LP   

Trademark: COMMARIS

(and design)

 

LOGO

   October 24, 2023    7,202,694
Flogistix, LP    Patent: MULTI-STREAM COMPRESSOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD    March 7, 2017    9,588,523
Flogistix, LP    Patent: MULTI-STREAM COMPRESSOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD    May 14, 2019    10,289,130
Flogistix, LP    Patent: VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD    September 14, 2021    11,117,070

 

Exhibit E-4


Flogistix, LP    Patent: AUTOMATED METHOD FOR GAS LIFT OPERATIONS    February 7, 2023    11,572,771
Flogistix, LP    Patent: CERTIFIED VAPOR RECOVERY    May 21, 2024    11,988,577
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commaris.com registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal September 4, 2024    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commaris.net registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commaris.us registered with Gandi.net    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commaris.co registered with Gandi.net    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Comairess.com registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Comariss.com registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commarisair.com registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Commariss.com registered with Amazon Registrar Inc.    Renewal July 8, 2025    N/A
Flogistix, LP    Domain Name: Flogistix.com registered with Gandi.net    Renewal March 9, 2025    N/A

 

Exhibit E-4


IP Licenses

 

1.

Certificate of Authority to Mana Completion Systems to use the Official API Monogram, License No. 19G1-0020.

 

2.

Certificate of Authority to JMI Manufacturing s to use the Official API Monogram, License No. 19G2-0023.

 

3.

Technology License Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2023, by and between Tier 1 Energy Solutions, Inc. and Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions as a result of the Flowco Reorganization.

 

4.

License Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2024, by and between Flowco Productions as successor in interest by assignment to Flowco Production Solutions and Tier 1 Energy Solutions Inc.

 

5.

Distribution and License Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2023, by and among Definitive Optimization Ltd., Tier 1 Energy Solutions, Inc. and Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions as a result of the Flowco Reorganization.

 

6.

License Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2019, by and among Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions as a result of the Flowco Reorganization, PPLC Technologies LLC and Patrick Phang.

 

7.

Certificate of Authorization to Flogistix to use the ASME Single Certification Mark, Certificate No. 60630.

 

8.

Certificate of Authorization to Flogistix to use the ASME Single Certification Mark, Certificate No. 47402.

 

9.

Certificate of Authorization to Register NB issued to Flogistix on January 25, 2023, to apply the “NB” mark to items manufactured in accordance with ASME Designator: U.

 

10.

Certificate of Authorization to Register NB issued to Flogistix on June 25, 2024, to apply the “NB” mark to items manufactured in accordance with ASME Designator: U.

 

11.

Certificate of Authorization to Flogistix to use the R Symbol, Certification No. 12127.

 

12.

Certificate of Authorization to Flogistix to use the R Symbol, Certification No. 9425.

 

13.

Certificate of Compliance issued to Flogistix LP, Certificate No. E511671.

 

14.

Industrial Control Panels, (NITW) – UL508A Follow-Up and Inspection Instructions, revised January 1, 2012.

 

Exhibit E-4


SCHEDULE 3.12

MATERIAL AGREEMENTS

None.


SCHEDULE 3.14

INSURANCE

Estis

 

   

Property insurance through AGCS Marine Insurance Company

 

   

General Liability through Starr Indemnity and Liability Company

 

   

Automobile through Starr Indemnity and Liability Company

 

   

Umbrella through Endurance American Specialty Ins Co

 

   

Excess Liability through RSUI Indemnity Company

 

   

Workers Compensation through StarStone National Insurance Company

 

   

Health Insurance through United HealthCare

 

   

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

 

   

Dental

 

   

Long Term Disability

 

   

Short Term Disability

 

   

Basic Term Life Insurance

 

   

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

 

   

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Flowco

 

   

Commercial General Liability through Starr Indemnity & Liability Company

 

   

Commercial Automobile through Starr Indemnity & Liability Company

 

   

Umbrella Liability through Berkley National Insurance Company

 

   

Workers Compensation through Starr Indemnity & Liability Company

 

   

Excess Liability through Staff Indemnity & Liability Company and Admiral Insurance Company

 

   

Property through Endurance American Insurance Company


   

Inland Marine insurance through Lloyd’s

 

   

Crime through Hanover Insurance Company

 

   

Management Liability through Continental Casualty Company

 

   

Cyber through Houston Casualty Company

Flogistix

 

   

Commercial General Liability through Berkley National Insurance Company

 

   

Stop Gap Employer’s Liability through Berkley National Insurance Company

 

   

Sudden and Accidental Pollution through Berkley National Insurance Company

 

   

Automobile through Berkley National Insurance Company

 

   

Umbrella Liability through Lloyd’s of London

 

   

Workers Compensation through Texas Mutual Insurance Company

 

   

Employer’s Liability through Argonaut Insurance Company

 

   

Contractors Pollution through Aspen Specialty Insurance Company

 

   

Property through Hanover Insurance Company


SCHEDULE 3.15

CAPITALIZATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Owner

  

Issuer

  

Type

  

Percentage of

Outstanding

Shares

Flowco MergeCo LLC    Flowco MasterCo LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco MasterCo LLC    Flowco Productions LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco MasterCo LLC    Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco MasterCo LLC    Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Estis Intermediate Holdings, LLC    Estis Compression, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Estis Compression, LLC    McClung Energy Services, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Estis Compression, LLC    McClung Management LLC    Limited liability company    99%
Estis Compression Management, Inc.    McClung Management LLC    Limited liability company    1%
Estis Compression, LLC    Estis Management LLC    Limited liability company    99%
Estis Compression Management, Inc.    Estis Management LLC    Limited liability company    1%
Estis Compression, LLC    Estis Compression Management, Inc.    Corporation    100%
Flowco Productions LLC    Patriot Artificial Lift LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco Productions LLC    FPS Logistics, L.L.C.    Limited liability company    100%


Flowco Productions LLC    SPM Completion Systems, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco Productions LLC    FPS Properties LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco Productions LLC    Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flowco Productions LLC    Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC    Flogistix GP, LLC    Limited liability company    100%
Flogistix Intermediate Holdings, LLC    Flogistix, LP    Limited partnership    99.99%
Flogistix GP, LLC    Flogistix, LP    Limited Partnership    0.01%
Flogistix, LP    Flogistix ULC    Canada Unlimited liability company    100%
Flogistix, LP    Flogistix Global OBU LLC    Oman Limited liability company    99%
Flogistix GP, LLC    Flogistix Global OBU LLC    Oman Limited liability company    1%


SCHEDULE 3.22

AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

Estis

None.

Flowco

 

  1.

Standard Lease Agreement dated as of May 9, 2017, by and between 1207 Meadow Drive LLC, as landlord, and Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions, as tenant (unexecuted by landlord).

 

  2.

Commercial Lease dated as of ____________, 202_ (sic), by and between JAKK, LLC, as landlord, and Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions, as tenant.

 

  3.

Commercial Lease dated as of August 4, 2023, by and between JAKK, LLC, as landlord, and Flowco Productions as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions, as tenant.

Flogistix

None.


SCHEDULE 6.01

EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

Estis

 

  1.

Indebtedness in connection with or related to that certain Master Equity Lease Agreement, dated June 21, 2017, by and between Enterprise FM Trust and Estis Compression, LLC, and the lease schedules related thereto in an aggregate amount outstanding of $5,792,296.62.

Flowco

 

  1.

Indebtedness in connection with or related to that certain Master Equity Lease Agreement, dated as of September 2, 2016 by and between Enterprise FM Trust and Flowco Productions LLC as successor in interest to Flowco Production Solutions, and the lease schedules related thereto in an aggregate amount outstanding of $4,346,685.60.

Flogistix

 

  1.

Indebtedness in connection with or related to that certain Master Equity Lease Agreement, dated August 24, 2010, by and between Enterprise FM Trust and Flogistix, LP, and the lease schedules related thereto in an aggregate amount outstanding of $8,563,990.00.


SCHEDULE 6.02

EXISTING LIENS

None.


SCHEDULE 6.04

EXISTING INVESTMENTS

None.


SCHEDULE 6.10

EXISTING RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS

None.

Exhibit 10.9

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Joe Bob Edwards (“Employee”) and Flowco MasterCo, LLC (the “Company,” and together with the Parent (as defined herein) and the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company Group”), effective as of November 1, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). Employee and the Company may sometimes be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

1. Employment and Duties

1.1. Term. Employee’s employment is governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the applicable Termination Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date shall be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2. Duties of Employment. During the Term, Employee will be employed to provide full-time services as President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Parent. Employee shall report directly to the Board of Managers or Board of Manager, as applicable, of the Parent (in either case, the “Board”). Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee’s abilities the duties and services consistent with and normally incidental to any position Employee holds, as well as any related or additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Parent from time to time. The Employee shall, if requested, also serve as a member of the Board or as an officer or director of any other member of the Company Group (including the Parent), as may be requested by the Company, the Parent or the Board from time to time, for no additional compensation.

1.3. Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, at all times during the Term, Employee owes fiduciary duties to the Company Group including but not limited to, duties of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, and to always act in the best interest of the Company Group, and in compliance with all applicable laws and policies and agreements of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, following the Termination Date, Employee shall continue to refrain from using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of others, or from disclosing to others, any information or opportunities pertaining to the Company Group’s businesses or interests that were entrusted to Employee. Employee agrees to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest, such as any circumstances where Employee has a personal, financial or business interest which conflicts with or interferes with the Company Group’s interests. Upon becoming aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest, Employee shall immediately disclose in writing to the Board the relevant circumstances. Employee represents that Employee is not a party to any other agreement, or under any other duty, which will interfere or conflict with Employee’s full compliance with this Agreement. Employee will not enter into any agreement or undertake any other duty, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.4. Outside Activities. During the Term, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group and will not engage in any other business, profession, or occupation for compensation or otherwise. Employee further agrees not to engage in any other activities which would or might reasonably be expected to cause Employee to use Confidential Information other than in the Company Group’s interest, and Employee acknowledges that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest with the Company Group and a violation of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be permitted to (i) act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member, or principal of any type of professional, civic, or charitable organization; (ii) engage in such other activities, including, service as an advisor to or director of a board or other governing body, as elected by Employee, provided that, Employee first discloses any such activity, in writing, to, and obtains prior written approval from, the Board;


Execution Version

 

(iii) continue to engage in those activities, and continue to own or hold, at the same percentage of ownership or holding in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the equity interests, in each case, set forth on Exhibit A; and (iv) purchase or own less than two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities or interests described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) do not interfere with or otherwise impact Employee’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of Employee’s position(s) with any member of the Company Group, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 1.

1.5. Place of Performance. The principal place of Employee’s employment shall be the Houston, Texas location; provided that, Employee may be required to travel on Company Group business during the Term.

1.6. Payroll Entity. The Parties acknowledge that Flogistix LP (“Payroll Entity”) directly employs Employee, and the Company indirectly owns and controls the Payroll Entity (and all other members of the Company Group, except the Parent). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise, the Company directs and controls Employee’s employment under this Agreement and shall cause the Payroll Entity or, if applicable, any other member of the Company Group to honor all obligations undertaken by the Company under this Agreement, including, paying or providing the payments and benefits outlined in this Agreement. The Company may in its discretion, and without the need for amendment to this Agreement, transfer Employee’s direct employment to the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time, and Employee hereby consents to such transfer.

2. Compensation and Benefits

2.1. Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized base salary in the gross amount of $700,000.00(“Base Salary”), which shall be payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices. The Company may, in its discretion, but shall not be required to, approve adjustments to Employee’s Base Salary from time to time, and if approved, such new amount will become the Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

2.2. Business Expenses. Subject to the Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its similarly situated senior executives, during the Term, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business-related expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group, including reasonable business, travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses.

2.3. Annual Cash Incentive. For each complete calendar year in the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Section 2.3. Employee’s annual target bonus opportunity shall be equal to 100% of Base Salary (“Target Bonus”). As conditions to earning any Annual Bonus, (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4.1, Section 3.4.2.1 and Section 3.4.3(A), Employee must be actively employed by the Company in good standing on the date the Annual Bonus is paid, (ii) the Company’s audited financials for the applicable calendar year must be finalized and approved, and (iii) Employee must be in compliance with all terms of this Agreement. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months after the end of the applicable calendar year. All other terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an Annual Bonus, whether any Annual Bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such Annual Bonus, shall be determined by the Board

 

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in its sole discretion. For the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the last day of the 2024 calendar year, Employee shall be eligible to receive a prorated annual performance bonus pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the previously approved bonus plan for each of GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (calculated as the annual performance bonus that would have been paid under such bonus plans for the entire 2024 calendar year, if any, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of days that elapsed between the June 20, 2024 and December 31, 2024, and the denominator of which is equal to 365 (the “2024 Prorated Bonus”).

2.4. Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any equity plan established by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group) for the benefit of similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of any such equity plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by the Board or its designee, in its discretion.

2.5. Benefits. During the Term, Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee’s family, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans, practices and programs, as in effect from time to time, and made available to Employee and/or similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, practice or program. Such benefit plans, practices and programs may include, without limitation, vacation and holiday plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The Company Group reserves the right to modify, add or discontinue any of its existing employee benefit plans, practices or programs, at the Company Group’s sole and absolute discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

3. Termination of Employment

3.1. Reasons for Termination.

3.1.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any further action by either Party.

3.1.2. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause at any time. While the Company is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause, the Company may place the Employee on paid leave and any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.

3.1.3. Termination by Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason at any time.

3.1.4. Termination by Either Party for Convenience. The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time for convenience.

3.2. Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1 (other than a termination on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (each, a “Notice of Termination”) delivered to the other Party in accordance with Section 13.13. The Notice of Termination shall specify the applicable reason for the termination enumerated in Section 3.1.1 through Section 3.1.4 and the applicable Termination Date. If no Termination Date is provided in the Notice of Termination, the Board will determine the Termination Date.

 

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3.3. Effect of Termination for Any Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1, the following provisions shall apply:

3.3.1. Deemed Resignation from all Other Positions. Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions Employee holds as an officer of the Parent or member of the Board (or committee thereof) and any other positions or board seats held by Employee with any other member of the Company Group, including the Company.

3.3.2. Cessation of Benefits. Employee’s eligibility to participate in any of the Company Group’s benefits and plans shall cease effective as of the applicable Termination Date. To the extent that Employee and Employee’s spouse and/or eligible dependents (as applicable) participate in any of the Company Group’s group medical and/or dental plans as of the Termination Date, Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (as applicable) may be eligible to continue such coverage following the Termination Date pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the election of, and the payment of any premiums due with respect to, such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and, except to the extent provided in Section 3.4.2.3 and Section 3.4.3(C), the Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

3.3.3. Receipt of Accrued Amounts. All of Employee’s rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that Employee or Employee’s estate, as applicable, will receive (i) any portion of the Base Salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the Termination Date, which shall be paid as required by applicable law, on or soon after the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement by Employee, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.2 and Company policy, which remain unpaid as of the Termination Date (the sum of the amounts in clauses (i)-(ii), the “Accrued Amounts”).

3.3.4. Equity Awards. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.4. The Company’s Additional Obligations Upon Certain Terminations.

3.4.1. Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated due to Employee’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 3.1.1, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (i) any unpaid Annual Bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (“Unpaid Bonus Payment”); and (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, that Employee would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, which shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, as outlined in Section 2.3, and (B) a fraction where the numerator is equal to the number of days Employee was employed by the Company in the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, and the denominator is equal to 365 (the “Prorated Bonus Payment”). The Prorated Bonus Payment and the Unpaid Bonus Payment shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

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3.4.2. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the benefits outlined below:

3.4.2.1. Unpaid Bonus Payment; Prorated Bonus Payment. A Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2.2. Severance Pay. A cash payment equal to the sum of (i) the Base Salary and (ii) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Severance Pay” and together with the COBRA Benefit (defined below), the “Severance Benefits”). The Severance Pay shall be paid to Employee in roughly equal periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided that, the first installment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur following the effective date of the applicable Release Agreement (defined below) (such effective date, the “Release Effective Date” and the date the first installment is paid, the “Initial Payment Date”); provided, further, that the first installment shall include, in addition to the regular installment amount, a lump sum equal to any installment amounts not paid during the period elapsing between the Termination Date and the Initial Payment Date.

3.4.2.3. COBRA Benefit. Provided Employee (on Employee’s own behalf and/or, if applicable, on behalf of Employee’s eligible dependents) timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (”COBRA”), the Company shall pay on Employee’s behalf the monthly COBRA premium associated with such continuation coverage for the period beginning on the first day of the month following the Release Effective Date and ending on the earliest of: (i) the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Release Effective Date; (ii) the date Employee is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Employee receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source (the applicable period, the “COBRA Period” and each such payment, a “COBRA Payment”). The Company will pay each COBRA Payment, if any, directly to the COBRA administrator; provided that Employee first delivers the applicable COBRA invoice to the Company in the manner outlined in Section 13.13; provided, further, that no COBRA Payment will be paid prior to the Release Effective Date. All COBRA Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4.2.3 shall be collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “COBRA Benefit”. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be responsible for the full cost of the monthly COBRA premium associated with any such continuation coverage that becomes due, if any, before or after the COBRA Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if making the payments outlined under this Section 3.4.2.3 would cause a violation of the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the Parties agree to reform this Section 3.4.2.3 in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

 

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3.4.3. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason During the CIC Period. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, in either case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “CIC Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (A) a Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year; (B) a cash payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (1) the Base Salary and (2) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clause (B) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Pay”), which shall be paid to Employee in the same manner, and subject to the same provisos, as outlined in Section 3.4.2.2 for Severance Pay; and (C) the COBRA Benefit, subject to, and provided in accordance with, the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.4.2.3 (collectively, the foregoing clauses (B) and (C) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Benefits”).

3.5.  Conditions to the Company’s Additional Obligations. Employee’s right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, the CIC Severance Benefits or any other recovery under this Agreement is conditioned upon Employee’s (i) execution on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) of a standard separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”), which Release Agreement shall include, among other provisions, a general waiver and release of the Company and all other members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims, including, without limitation, any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with any member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, by either Party for any reason, but excluding all claims to, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits Employee may have under Section 3.4, (ii) non-revocation of the Release Agreement within any time period provided by the Company to do so, and (ii) continued, complete and timely compliance with all terms of this Agreement. Unless Employee executes the Release Agreement prior to the Release Expiration Date, delivers the executed Release Agreement to the Company, and the required revocation period expires without revocation of the Release Agreement by Employee, Employee will not receive, and Employee forfeits any right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits (or any portion thereof). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

3.6. After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, but within the twelve (12) months immediately following the Termination Date, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or otherwise determines that Employee has failed to abide by the terms of this Agreement before or after the Termination Date, or that a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, if known by the Company at that time, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment for

 

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Cause, then the Company shall provide notice to Employee and Employee shall promptly return to the Company, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits already provided or paid to Employee, and the Company’s obligation to provide or pay any then remaining, as applicable, Unpaid Bonus Payment, Prorated Bonus Payment, Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits shall cease immediately.

3.7. Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3.4.2.3, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be reduced by compensation Employee earns on account of employment with another employer.

3.8. 280G.

3.8.1. In the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), Employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to have the Payment either (i) paid or delivered in full, or (ii) capped at the amount that is $1 less than three times Employee’s “base amount,” whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable taxes, including federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). Any reduction of the Payment required by this Section 3.8.1 shall be carried out by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Payment (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

3.8.2. All determinations required to be made under Section 3.8 shall be made by the Company’s Independent Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations and documentation both to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make the determinations required under Section 3.8. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or the Accounting Firm declines such representation, Employee shall appoint a certified public accountant at another nationally recognized accounting firm (or, if none is available a lawyer with a nationally recognized law firm or a compensation consultant with a nationally recognized actuarial and benefits consulting firm) with expertise in the area of executive compensation tax law to make the determinations required hereunder (such accountant, lawyer, or consultant, as applicable, shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder), provided that such accounting firm is acceptable to the Company (the Company’s acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Employee’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee absent manifest error.

 

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4. Confidential Information

4.1. Confidential Information and Company Relationships. Employee recognizes that the Company Group has made significant investments of time and resources in establishing substantial relationships with the Company Relationships and developing the Company Group’s reputation and goodwill. Employee further recognizes that the protection of the Company Group’s proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other Confidential Information is of value to the Company Group, vital to its interests and success, and worthy of the protection provided by Employee in Employee’s promises made in this Agreement. In exchange for Employee’s promises made in this Agreement, the Company agrees to: (i) provide Employee access to certain Confidential Information relating to the Company Business and Company Relationships, as may be relevant to Employee’s position with the Company; and (ii) make available to Employee the benefit of certain Company Relationships, as well as the Company Group’s support, specialized training, association with goodwill, and reputation. Employee acknowledges that Employee will have access to certain Confidential Information, Company Relationships, specialized training, reputation, and association with the Company Group’s goodwill and reputation while employed by the Company.

4.2. Employee Promise Not to Disclose Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that all Confidential Information is confidential, proprietary, not known outside of the Company Group’s business, valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company Group which belongs to the Company Group and gives the Company Group a competitive advantage. Employee further acknowledges that if this Confidential Information were made available to or disclosed to third parties or used by third parties and/or Employee in an unauthorized manner, such access, disclosure, or use would seriously and irreparably damage the Company Group and cause the loss of certain competitive advantages. Employee agrees that Employee is a fiduciary of the Company and will not, directly or indirectly (other than solely in furtherance of the Company Group’s business and interests as specifically authorized and directed by the Company Group) use, disclose, share, publish, or make accessible to any Person any Confidential Information that Employee may obtain or to which Employee may have access. Employee further agrees not to use Confidential Information for Employee’s own personal or commercial use or for the personal or commercial use of any other Person, or any other use in any way detrimental to the Company Group. Employee shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information within Employee’s possession or control, and to protect such information against disclosure, misuse, loss, or theft. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement with regard to any Confidential Information shall continue during and after the Term, until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge, other than as a result of Employee’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with Employee or on Employee’s behalf. Employee’s confidentiality obligations under this Agreement with regard to any of the Company Group’s trade secrets shall continue during and after the Term until such trade secrets are no longer trade secrets under applicable law. Employee understands and acknowledges that the foregoing duties do not apply to Protected Disclosures and Actions.

4.3. Return of Property; Access to Non-Company Devices/Accounts Holding Such Information. Upon request, and in any event, without request upon the applicable Termination Date, Employee shall promptly return to the Company, and cease all access to, all Company Group property in Employee’s possession and control, including property purchased by the Company or reimbursed by the Company Group, whether in electronic or hard copy or other format, whether involving Confidential Information or not, and regardless of location on Company Group equipment, accounts, or premises, or on Employee’s personal equipment, accounts or premises. This property to be returned includes any keys, access cards, credit cards, smartphones, tablets, computer storage media of any kind (flash drives, external drives), or other hardware or software equipment, any communications of any kind regarding Employee’s work on behalf of the Company Group, any of the Company Group records, files, data, accounts, and documents, including any copies. Employee agrees to report to the Company any passwords or other access

 

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codes for anything associated with Employee’s employment under this Agreement, whether equipment or accounts or otherwise. Employee represents Employee will not share access, forward, delete, modify, copy, clean, or alter any property, prior to its return to the Company. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may inspect or use computer imaging and forensics to determine if these obligations have been met, and if they have not been met, additional inspection, imaging and searching of any accounts (including cloud or web-based accounts) or devices or storage locations (including personal ones) used to store or transmit Company Group property or information (whether confidential or not) may be used to locate, retrieve, and remove the Company Group’s property and information. Employee is encouraged to use only Company laptops, devices or accounts for storing, transmitting, and accessing Company Group information or property.

4.4. Protected Disclosures and Actions. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall be construed to prevent, restrict, or impede disclosure of Confidential Information or other information, or any of the other actions outlined below, in each case, in the following circumstances (collectively, the “Protected Disclosures and Actions”):

4.4.1. As provided by the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 28 U.S.C. §1833(b) (the “DTSA”), Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (i) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal or per court order. In the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney(s) and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.2. In connection with Employee’s reporting potential violations of applicable federal, state or local law to any law enforcement or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), or the SEC, or responding to or otherwise participating in any agency’s investigation, lawsuit, or other actions taken by any agency, or taking any other actions protected under applicable law, including but not limited to the Speak Out Act, including disclosure of any alleged unlawful conduct or whistleblower activity or filing any complaint or charge with an agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict Employee from filing a charge or complaint of possible unlawful activity, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with any governmental agency. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.3. In connection with: (i) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful; and/or (ii) any legal action or proceeding in which Employee or the Company seeks to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.4. As may be required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized governmental agency), provided that Employee notifies the Company upon receiving or becoming aware of the legal process in question so that the Company may have the opportunity to respond or seek a protective or other order to restrict or prevent such disclosure, and such disclosure does not exceed the scope of disclosure required by such law, regulation or legal process. This Section 4.4.4 regarding legal process applies to situations not covered by the protections above and does not, in any way, impose prior notice requirements, or restrict or impede Employee from exercising protected rights described above or as provided by law.

 

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5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. Work Product. Employee acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee, individually or jointly with others during the Term and that relate in any way to the Company Business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or any other member of the Company Group or result from any work performed by Employee for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), and all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), and rights in data and databases, (iv) trade secrets, know-how, and other Confidential Information, and (v) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company Group information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information..

5.2. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. Employee acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

5.3. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after the Term, Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (i) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (ii) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits,

 

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waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. Employee hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Employee’s behalf in Employee’s name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Employee does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Employee’s subsequent incapacity.

5.4. Prior Intellectual Property. If Employee has inventions, improvements or discoveries which Employee has made or conceived or first reduced to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, prior to Employee’s employment under this Agreement, and which Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement, Employee shall discuss with the Company, attach a complete and accurate list to Exhibit B of this Agreement, and deliver to the Company upon signing this Agreement. If no such list is attached, then Employee represents there are no exclusions to this Agreement.

6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

6.1. Employee Acknowledgment of Need for Protections and Restrictions Promised; Consideration. Employee acknowledges and understands that Employee’s promises in this Agreement restrict some of Employee’s actions during and after the Term but will not operate to impose an undue hardship upon Employee and will not prevent Employee from supporting Employee’s self after the applicable Termination Date. Employee further acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interests in the Confidential Information and Company Relationships, and Employee has or will receive Confidential Information, Company Relationships, and other sufficient consideration from the Company Group under this Agreement or otherwise to justify such restrictions. Employee understands and agrees that the restrictions in this Agreement shall continue beyond the applicable Termination Date, regardless of the reason for such termination or the Party initiating the termination. Employee acknowledges and understands that the Company would not have hired Employee or provided compensation or incentives in any form to Employee, would not have entered into this Agreement, and would not have shared Confidential Information or Company Relationships with, or provided specialized training to, Employee without Employee’s consent to and continued compliance with the terms in this Agreement. In consideration of Employee’s employment under this Agreement and all benefits to Employee because of that employment, as well as access to Confidential Information, specialized training, Company Relationships, and the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill, Employee voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

6.2. Non-Competition. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period: (i) directly or indirectly invest in, own, manage, operate, finance, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control of any Competitive Business; or (ii) be employed or engaged by, or otherwise associated with, any Competitive Business. The foregoing notwithstanding: (a) during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, Employee’s obligations under this Section 6.2 shall only restrict Employee’s activities insomuch as Employee’s activities and/or the applicable business activities of the Competitive Business (in either case, whether actual or planned) (1) occur at a physical location within the Restricted Territory or (2) are aimed or directed at, target, or reach into the Restricted Territory, regardless of the physical location from which such activities emanate; (b) Employee may own up to two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (c) Employee is not excluded from any role for which there is no possible use of the Confidential Information to provide a business advantage to the Competitive Business.

 

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6.3. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire, retain, do business with, or consult with any Restricted Company Relationship, for the benefit of a Competitive Business; or (ii) in any other manner attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any Restricted Company Relationship to discontinue or materially change, in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, its relationship or business with, or purchases or orders from, the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

6.4. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Service Providers. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire or seek to hire any Restricted Service Provider for a Competitive Business, or (ii) in any other manner, attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any such Restricted Service Provider to terminate, reduce or materially change in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, such Restricted Service Provider’s employment or other business relationship with the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Service Provider in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider.

6.5. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee and the Company agree and acknowledge that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the Company Group’s Confidential Information and other confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, business relationships, and other legitimate business interests, including the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions above are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions in this Agreement to be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

6.6. Tolling. The duration of the Post-Employment Restricted Period and Employee’s obligations during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, as outlined above, shall be tolled and suspended for any period that Employee is in violation of these covenants up to the maximum amount of time permitted under applicable law.

7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees that Employee shall not, at any time, make, publish or communicate, whether orally, in writing or electronically, to any Person or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements about the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any of such entities’ respective businesses, business practices, or employees or officers. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from making truthful statements that are covered by the Protected Disclosures and Actions or reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

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8. Confidentiality of Agreement; Notification to Subsequent Employers. Employee understands and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and Employee shall not disclose, disseminate, or publicize the existence or content of this Agreement to any Person, except (i) for any Protected Disclosure or Action, (ii) to Employee’s spouse, attorney, financial advisor, and government tax authorities, or (iii) as reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. Employee further agrees that, for so long as Employee’s post-employment obligations under this Agreement apply, Employee must inform any prospective employer or other Person with which Employee will be affiliated of such post-employment obligations, before accepting an offer of employment or other engagement. Employee consents to the Company Group providing notification to any of Employee’s actual or potential employers or other business relationships which may potentially interfere with this Agreement, of this Agreement and its terms and conditions.

9. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby designate (i) all members of the Company Group that are not signatories to this Agreement and/or (ii) any successors or assigns as permitted under this Agreement, as intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, having the right to enforce this Agreement, including without limitation, the restrictions protecting the Company Group’s property, Confidential Information, Company Relationships, training, reputation and goodwill.

10. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Employee, and that the Company shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by specific performance and immediate injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all remedies available to the Company at law, under common and statutory law, under other agreements, or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages caused by Employee’s breach, and the return of any payments, equity or other consideration paid or provided to Employee where Employee’s receipt of which was conditioned on compliance with this Agreement. Employee agrees to indemnify each member of the Company Group and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, or expenses including, without limitation, attorney’s fees incurred by any of them, arising out of any breach of, misrepresentation made in, or challenge to the enforceability of, this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company shall be entitled to the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in enforcing this Agreement. Employee’s remedies for breach of this Agreement by the Company are limited to recovery of, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, and/or the CIC Severance Benefits. Employee’s rights to the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are determined by the terms of this Agreement, and Employee may recover attorneys’ fees if allowed by applicable law.

11. Indemnification.

11.1. Indemnification. In the event that Employee is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”) arising out of any act or omission by Employee in Employee’s capacity as a director or officer of the Parent or any other member of the Company Group, then the Parent or its successors or assigns shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Parent’s organizational documents from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). For the avoidance of doubt, Proceedings arising from any contest or dispute between Employee and any member of the Company Group, including, without limitation, any such Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall not be subject to indemnification.

 

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11.2. D&O Insurance. During the Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, any applicable member of the Company Group or any successor to the Parent shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated senior executives of the Parent or any successor or assign.

12. Definitions. The following terms shall have the stated meaning, whenever used in this Agreement:

12.1. “Cause” means the following acts or omissions by Employee, as judged in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable):

12.1.1. Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Company Group, on the other hand, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.1 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.2. Employee’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any other member of the Company Group that is applicable to Employee and made known to Employee prior to such breach; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.2 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.3. Employee’s breach of any material law applicable to the employment relationship, including any such law with respect to sexual harassment, non-discrimination or non-retaliation;

12.1.4. Employee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under this Agreement;

12.1.5. Any act of fraud or embezzlement by Employee, or material act of theft, in each case, with respect to any member of the Company Group;

12.1.6.  Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or receipt of deferred adjudication for any (i) crime that constitutes a felony or (ii) crime or offense that constitutes a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other conduct involving moral turpitude; or

12.1.7. Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to (i) perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group or (ii) follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.7 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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12.2. “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur after the Effective Date:

12.2.1. a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) or more than one “person” acting as a “group” (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (B)) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, an “person” that, prior to such transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Parent or any Permitted Holder), directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of the securities of the Parent that, together with securities held by such “person” or “group”, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Parent outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

12.2.2. a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent, or similar transaction is consummated, unless the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent immediately before the consummation of such transaction directly or indirectly beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the issuance of equity securities of the Parent and changes to its Board in an IPO (and any related issuance of equity securities of Flowco MergeCo LLC, and reorganization of Flowco MergeCo LLC and changes to its Board) shall not constitute a “Change in Control”; and (ii) only to the extent that compensation herein is subject to Section 409A and would not otherwise comply with Section 409A, a “Change in Control” shall occur only to the extent that the triggering event constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A and the Treasury Department regulations thereunder.

12.3. “Company Business” means (i) the design, development, manufacture, assembly, sale or provision otherwise of, (a) compression units utilized in high pressure gas lift, field gathering, traditional gas lift, vapor recovery, and wellhead applications, and (b) surface and downhole equipment utilized in plunger lift, traditional gas lift, plunger-assisted gas lift, and gas-assisted plunger lift applications; and/or (ii) any other business activities engaged in by any member of the Company Group during the Term.

12.4. “Company Relationships” means any Person who is a supplier, vendor, customer, or other business relationship of any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CEO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Company Relationships.

12.5. “Competitive Business” means any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) engaged in or planning to become engaged in any business and/or activities that the same as, substantially similar to, or the functional equivalent of, and, in all cases, competitive, in whole or in part, with, the Company Business during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CEO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all portions of the Company Business.

12.6. “Confidential Information” means any information about the Company Group that has not been intentionally and with authority disclosed to the public by any member of the Company Group, as applicable, including, without limitation, information pertaining to the Company Group’s trade secrets; methodology and know-how; information concerning the Company Group’s products, product pricing

 

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information and programs; product or other costs; future and current business and marketing information and techniques, plans, and business processes; research and development plans and strategies; business opportunities; operations; agreements and their terms; potential transactions and negotiations; inventions, modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes, recipes, raw materials, ingredients, flavors, intellectual property rights of the Company Group; business records; supplier information, including contracts and communications; financial information; accounting records; legal information; sales information; inventory; gross and net profit margins, market share data, finances, budgets, forecasts, projections, financial statements, and indebtedness; software utilized in operations; information concerning employees, partners, and contractors including identities, contact information, compensation, training, or other terms of engagement and performance; investor information; legal, regulatory, compliance, administrative, and management information; and information regarding past, current, and potential customers, including communications, customer lists, customer history, customer product information, customer contract information, contract negotiation information and terms, contact information for customers, and customer issues, requests, preferences and needs. Confidential Information spans any relationship or engagement between the Parties, before or after the date of this Agreement.

12.7. “Current and Former Company Relationship” means any Person who is a Company Relationship at any time during the Look-Back Period.

12.8. “Disability” means a condition that entitles Employee to receive long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if there is no such plan, Employee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for 180 days out of any 365 day period or 120 consecutive days; provided, however, in the event that the Company temporarily replaces Employee, or transfers Employee’s duties or responsibilities to another individual on account of Employee’s inability to perform such duties due to a mental or physical incapacity which is, or is reasonably expected to become, a Disability, then Employee’s employment shall not be deemed terminated by the Company. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer.

12.9. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Employee’s written consent:

12.9.1. a relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment, as described in Section 1.5, by more than 30 miles;

12.9.2. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

12.9.3. a material, adverse change in the Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Employee is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of the grounds for such Good Reason termination within thirty (30) days of the first occurrence of such grounds and such grounds must remain uncured by the Company for sixty (60) days after Employee first provided the Board written notice of the obligation to cure such grounds; provided, further, that Employee must terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason within 120 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds or Employee will be deemed to have waived the right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

 

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12.10. “IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities of a Parent pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC.

12.11. “Look-Back Period” means the most recent twelve-(12) month period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, including, if Employee’s employment under this Agreement has ended, the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.

12.12. “Parent” means as of the date of this Agreement, Flowco MergeCo LLC, and following the consummation of an IPO and issuance of a managing member interest in Flowco MergeCo LLC to Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco Holdings Inc.

12.13. “Permitted Holder” means Jonathan B. Fairbanks, GEC Advisors LLC, White Deer Management, LLC, and any of their respective Affiliates.

12.14. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

12.15. “Post-Employment Restricted Period” means the period commencing on the Termination Date and continuing until the expiration of (i) twenty-four (24) months, or (ii) in the event Employee is entitled to receive the Severance Benefits outlined in Section 3.4.2, twelve (12) months.

12.16. “Prospective Company Relationship” means any Person who is actively and materially contacted or solicited (directly or indirectly), at any time during the Look-Back Period, by any member of the Company Group for the purpose of becoming a Company Relationship of such member of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CEO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Prospective Company Relationships.

12.17. “Restricted Company Relationship” means all Current and Former Company Relationships and Prospective Company Relationships.

12.18. “Restricted Service Provider” means any Person who is a Service Provider at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CEO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Service Providers.

12.19. “Restricted Territory” means any metropolitan markets in the United States in which the Company Group conducts business or has taken active steps to conduct business, in each case, at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CEO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all of the Restricted Territory.

12.20. “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

12.21. “Service Provider” means any Person who is employed by or engaged to perform personal services as an independent contractor or consultant for any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term.

 

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12.22. “Termination Date” means:

12.22.1. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s death, the date of Employee’s death;

12.22.2. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s Disability, the date the Disability determination is made or, if later, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.3. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.4. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for convenience, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that the Company shall have the option to waive all or any portion of such notice period by giving written notice to Employee, provided, further, that, in lieu of the portion of the notice period so waived, the Company provides Employee with a payment equal to the Base Salary prorated based upon the number of days of the notice period so waived, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date specified in written notice of waiver from the Company;

12.22.5. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee for convenience, the date specified in Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the thirty (30)-day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to Employee and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company;

12.22.6. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee with Good Reason, the date specified in the Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date on which the grounds giving rise to such termination for Good Reason first occurred.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1. Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiation of the Agreement. The Company shall reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee, all reasonable legal fees incurred in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00).

13.2. Withholding of Taxes and Other Items. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, as well as any other authorized deduction or withholding or other amounts owed by Employee to the Company Group. Furthermore, should Employee owe the Company any amount as of or following the Termination Date, Employee hereby authorizes the Company to deduct the amount owed by Employee from, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Pay, the CIC Severance Pay, and/or any other amounts otherwise owed to Employee by the Company.

13.3. Representations; Entire Agreement. Employee acknowledges that Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement. Employee has carefully read and fully understands all of the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter of this

 

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Agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, this Agreement is not the entire agreement and instead supplements and does not replace any obligations owed by Employee to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under existing agreements or applicable law regarding non-disparagement, confidentiality, non-disclosure, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, tortious interference, non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-interference.

13.4. No Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company to declare a default on the occurrence of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee or to require strict compliance with any term of the Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any current or subsequent breach or non-compliance by Employee. Any waiver by the Company must be agreed to in writing by an authorized representative of the Company. No waiver by the Company of any breach by Employee of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by Employee shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

13.5. Severability; Modification; Amendment. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable and thus stricken, or shall only be enforceable if modified, then such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the Parties with any such modification to become a part of the Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing or striking such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as such court deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement, as so modified by the court, shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement. Other than any court modification or severance provided for in this Section 13.5, this Agreement may be amended only if in writing and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

13.6. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

13.7. Successors and Assigns; Assignability. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. Employee’s obligations are personal in nature and Employee shall not assign or transfer any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement and/or the rights and/or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any other member of the Company Group or any successor in the event of a Change in Control or any other transfer or sale of all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of the Company Group, and in any such event, all references to “the Company” in this Agreement shall then be deemed to refer to any such member of the Company Group or successor entity. Employee hereby consents to any permitted transfer or assignment, as provided under this Section 13.7 or Section 1.6.

 

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13.8. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Harris County, Texas. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

13.9. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed via electronic means, and such execution shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

13.10. Titles and Headings; No Construction against Drafter. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No terms of this Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the primary drafter.

13.11. Survival. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, other than those outlined in Section 1 and Section 2, and any provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, continue to apply following, and survive, in each case, (i) any actual or alleged breach of this Agreement by either Party, (ii) the termination of this Agreement, and (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, regardless of the reason for, or Party initiating, any such employment termination.

13.12. Section 409A.

13.12.1. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to Employee. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the provisions of Section 13.12 regarding Section 409A shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

13.12.2. Payments and benefits paid or provided under this Agreement upon the termination of Employee’s employment, by either Party and for any reason, that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A shall be paid or provided only at the time of any such employment termination that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

13.12.3. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

13.12.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Employee, and (ii) the date of Employee’s death, to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the

 

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Execution Version

 

foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to Section 13.12 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

13.12.5. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Employee’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

13.12.6. In the event that Employee is required to execute a release to receive any payments from the Company that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following the applicable Termination Date. Any payments that are suspended during the sixty (60) day period shall be paid on the date the first regular payroll is made immediately following the end of such period.

13.12.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

13.12.8. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with Employee, reform such provision to attempt to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Employee by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

13.13. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement must be in writing by a method of delivery that provides for a receipt, and shall be considered duly delivered on the date so provided in such receipt if sent to or made at the addresses listed below, as applicable:

If to Employee: The address specified beneath Employee’s signature line on this Agreement.

 

If to the Company:   

Flowco MasterCo LLC

c/o GEC Energy Growth Capital

Attn: Jonathan Fairbanks

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite 220

Houston, Texas 77098

jonathan@geclp.com

Notice of change in address should be provided as stated in this Section 13.13.

 

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Execution Version

 

THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH PARTY VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

Executed this 1st day of November, 2024.

 

Employee:    Joe Bob Edwards
Signature:    /s/ Joe Bob Edwards
Address:    1140 South Country Square
   Houston, TX 77024

Executed this 1st day of November, 2024.

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC

 

By:    Parent   
   Its sole member   
   By: /s/ Johnathan Fairbanks    Johnathan Fairbanks
   Parent Representative Signature    Parent Representative Printed Name

 

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Execution Version

 

Exhibit A

Certain Permitted Activities


Execution Version

 

Exhibit B

Prior Inventions

[If blank below this line then none were disclosed]

Exhibit 10.10

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Jonathan W. Byers (“Employee”) and Flowco MasterCo, LLC (the “Company,” and together with the Parent (as defined herein) and the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company Group”), effective as of October 14, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). Employee and the Company may sometimes be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

1.Employment and Duties

1.1. Term. Employee’s employment is governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the applicable Termination Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date shall be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2. Duties of Employment. During the Term, Employee will be employed to provide full-time services as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Parent. Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Parent. Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee’s abilities the duties and services consistent with and normally incidental to any position Employee holds, as well as any related or additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Parent from time to time. The Employee shall, if requested, also serve as an officer or director of any other member of the Company Group (including the Parent), as may be requested by the Company, the Parent or the Board of Managers or Board of Manager, as applicable, of the Parent (in either case, the “Board”) from time to time, for no additional compensation.

1.3. Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, at all times during the Term, Employee owes fiduciary duties to the Company Group including but not limited to, duties of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, and to always act in the best interest of the Company Group, and in compliance with all applicable laws and policies and agreements of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, following the Termination Date, Employee’s fiduciary duties continue, and Employee shall continue to refrain from using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of others, or from disclosing to others, any information or opportunities pertaining to the Company Group’s businesses or interests that were entrusted to Employee. Employee agrees to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest, such as any circumstances where Employee has a personal, financial or business interest which conflicts with or interferes with the Company Group’s interests. Upon becoming aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest, Employee shall immediately disclose in writing to the CEO the relevant circumstances. Employee represents that Employee is not a party to any other agreement, or under any other duty, which will interfere or conflict with Employee’s full compliance with this Agreement. Employee will not enter into any agreement or undertake any other duty, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.4. Outside Activities. During the Term, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group and will not engage in any other business, profession, or occupation for compensation or otherwise. Employee further agrees not to engage in any other activities which would or might reasonably be expected to cause Employee to use Confidential Information other than in the Company Group’s interest, and Employee acknowledges that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest with the Company Group and a violation of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be permitted to (i) act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member, or principal of any type of professional, civic, or charitable organization; (ii) continue to own or hold, at the same percentage of ownership or holding in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the equity interests set forth on


Exhibit A; and (iii) purchase or own less than two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) do not interfere with or otherwise impact Employee’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of Employee’s position(s) with any member of the Company Group, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 1.

1.5. Place of Performance. The principal place of Employee’s employment shall be the Houston, Texas location; provided that, Employee may be required to travel on Company Group business during the Term.

1.6. Payroll Entity. The Parties acknowledge that Flogistix LP (“Payroll Entity”) directly employs Employee, and the Company indirectly owns and controls the Payroll Entity (and all other members of the Company Group, except the Parent). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise, the Company directs and controls Employee’s employment under this Agreement and shall cause the Payroll Entity or, if applicable, any other member of the Company Group to honor all obligations undertaken by the Company under this Agreement, including, paying or providing the payments and benefits outlined in this Agreement. The Company may in its discretion, and without the need for amendment to this Agreement, transfer Employee’s direct employment to the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time, and Employee hereby consents to such transfer.

2.  Compensation and Benefits

2.1. Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized base salary in the gross amount of $450,000.00 (“Base Salary”), which shall be payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices. The Company may, in its discretion, but shall not be required to, approve adjustments to Employee’s Base Salary from time to time, and if approved, such new amount will become the Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

2.2. Signing Bonus. The Company shall pay Employee a lump sum cash bonus in the gross amount of $200,000.00 (the “Signing Bonus”); provided that Employee signs this Agreement and reports to work on the Effective Date. The Signing Bonus shall be payable on the first regularly scheduled payday to occur following the Effective Date.

2.3. Business Expenses. Subject to the Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its similarly situated senior executives, during the Term, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business-related expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group, including reasonable business, travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses.

2.4. Annual Cash Incentive. For each complete calendar year in the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Section 2.4. Employee’s annual target bonus opportunity shall be equal to 85% of Base Salary (“Target Bonus”). As conditions to earning any Annual Bonus, (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4.1, Section 3.4.2.1 and Section 3.4.3(A), Employee must be actively employed by the Company in good standing on the date the Annual Bonus is paid, (ii) the Company’s audited financials for the applicable calendar year must be finalized and approved, and (iii) Employee must be in compliance with all terms of this Agreement. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within three-and-one-half (3 1/2)

 

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months after the end of the applicable calendar year. All other terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an Annual Bonus, whether any Annual Bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such Annual Bonus, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the last day of the 2024 calendar year, Employee shall be eligible to receive a prorated annual performance bonus pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the previously approved bonus plan for each of GEC Estis Holdings, LLC, Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C. and Flogistix Holdings, LLC (calculated as the annual performance bonus that would have been paid under such bonus plan[s] for the entire 2024 calendar year, if any, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of days that elapsed between the Effective Date and December 31, 2024, and the denominator of which is equal to 365 (the “2024 Prorated Bonus”).

2.5. Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any equity plan established by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group) for the benefit of similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of any such equity plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by the Board or its designee, in its discretion.

2.6. Benefits. During the Term, Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee’s family, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans, practices and programs, as in effect from time to time, and made available to Employee and/or similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, practice or program. Such benefit plans, practices and programs may include, without limitation, vacation and holiday plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The Company Group reserves the right to modify, add or discontinue any of its existing employee benefit plans, practices or programs, at the Company Group’s sole and absolute discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

3.  Termination of Employment

3.1. Reasons for Termination.

3.1.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any further action by either Party.

3.1.2. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause at any time. While the Company is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause, the Company may place the Employee on paid leave and any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.

3.1.3. Termination by Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason at any time.

3.1.4. Termination by Either Party for Convenience. The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time for convenience.

3.2. Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1 (other than a termination on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (each, a “Notice

 

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of Termination”) delivered to the other Party in accordance with Section 13.13. The Notice of Termination shall specify the applicable reason for the termination enumerated in Section 3.1.1 through Section 3.1.4 and the applicable Termination Date. If no Termination Date is provided in the Notice of Termination, the Board will determine the Termination Date.

3.3. Effect of Termination for Any Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1, the following provisions shall apply:

3.3.1. Deemed Resignation from all Other Positions. Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions Employee holds as an officer of the Parent or member of the Board (or committee thereof) and any other positions or board seats held by Employee with any other member of the Company Group, including the Company.

3.3.2. Cessation of Benefits. Employee’s eligibility to participate in any of the Company Group’s benefits and plans shall cease effective as of the applicable Termination Date. To the extent that Employee and Employee’s spouse and/or eligible dependents (as applicable) participate in any of the Company Group’s group medical and/or dental plans as of the Termination Date, Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (as applicable) may be eligible to continue such coverage following the Termination Date pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the election of, and the payment of any premiums due with respect to, such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and, except to the extent provided in Section 3.4.2.3 and Section 3.4.3(C), the Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

3.3.3. Receipt of Accrued Amounts. All of Employee’s rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that Employee or Employee’s estate, as applicable, will receive (i) any portion of the Base Salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the Termination Date, which shall be paid as required by applicable law, on or soon after the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement by Employee, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.3 and Company policy, which remain unpaid as of the Termination Date (the sum of the amounts in clauses (i)-(ii), the “Accrued Amounts”).

3.3.4. Equity Awards. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.4. The Company’s Additional Obligations Upon Certain Terminations.

3.4.1. Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated due to Employee’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 3.1.1, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (i) any unpaid Annual Bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (“Unpaid Bonus Payment”); and (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, that Employee would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, which shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, as outlined in Section 2.4, and (B) a fraction where the numerator is equal to the number of days Employee was employed by the Company in the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, and the denominator is equal to 365 (the “Prorated Bonus Payment”). The Prorated Bonus Payment and the Unpaid Bonus Payment shall be paid to Employee,

 

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if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-a-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the benefits outlined below:

3.4.2.1. Unpaid Bonus Payment; Prorated Bonus Payment. A Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2.2. Severance Pay. A cash payment equal to the sum of (i) the Base Salary and (ii) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Severance Pay” and together with the COBRA Benefit (defined below), the “Severance Benefits”). The Severance Pay shall be paid to Employee in roughly equal periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided that, the first installment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur following the effective date of the applicable Release Agreement (defined below) (such effective date, the “Release Effective Date” and the date the first installment is paid, the “Initial Payment Date”); provided, further, that the first installment shall include, in addition to the regular installment amount, a lump sum equal to any installment amounts not paid during the period elapsing between the Termination Date and the Initial Payment Date.

3.4.2.3. COBRA Benefit. Provided Employee (on Employee’s own behalf and/or, if applicable, on behalf of Employee’s eligible dependents) timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (”COBRA”), the Company shall pay on Employee’s behalf the monthly COBRA premium associated with such continuation coverage for the period beginning on the first day of the month following the Release Effective Date and ending on the earliest of: (i) the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Release Effective Date; (ii) the date Employee is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Employee receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source (the applicable period, the “COBRA Period” and each such payment, a “COBRA Payment”). The Company will pay each COBRA Payment, if any, directly to the COBRA administrator; provided that Employee first delivers the applicable COBRA invoice to the Company in the manner outlined in Section 13.13; provided, further, that no COBRA Payment will be paid prior to the Release Effective Date. All COBRA Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4.2.3 shall be collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “COBRA Benefit”. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be responsible for the full cost of the monthly COBRA premium associated with any such continuation coverage that becomes due, if any, before or after the COBRA Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if making the payments outlined under this Section 3.4.2.3 would cause a violation of the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the Parties agree to reform this Section 3.4.2.3 in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

 

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3.4.3. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason During the CIC Period. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, in either case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “CIC Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (A) a Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year; (B) a cash payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (1) the Base Salary and (2) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clause (B) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Pay”), which shall be paid to Employee in the same manner, and subject to the same provisos, as outlined in Section 3.4.2.2 for Severance Pay; and (C) the COBRA Benefit, subject to, and provided in accordance with, the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.4.2.3 (collectively, the foregoing clauses (B) and (C) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Benefits”).

3.5. Conditions to the Company’s Additional Obligations. Employee’s right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, the CIC Severance Benefits or any other recovery under this Agreement is conditioned upon Employee’s (i) execution on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) of a standard separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”), which Release Agreement shall include, among other provisions, a general waiver and release of the Company and all other members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims, including, without limitation, any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with any member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, by either party for any reason, but excluding all claims to, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits Employee may have under Section 3.4, (ii) non-revocation of the Release Agreement within any time period provided by the Company to do so, and (ii) continued, complete and timely compliance with all terms of this Agreement. Unless Employee executes the Release Agreement prior to the Release Expiration Date, delivers the executed Release Agreement to the Company, and the required revocation period expires without revocation of the Release Agreement by Employee, Employee will not receive, and Employee forfeits any right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits (or any portion thereof). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

3.6. After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, but within the twelve (12) months immediately following the Termination Date, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or otherwise determines that Employee has failed to abide by the terms of this Agreement before or after the Termination Date, or that a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, if known by the Company at that time, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment for

 

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Cause, then the Company shall provide notice to Employee and Employee shall promptly return to the Company, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits already provided or paid to Employee, and the Company’s obligation to provide or pay any then remaining, as applicable, Unpaid Bonus Payment, Prorated Bonus Payment, Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits shall cease immediately.

3.7. Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3.4.2.3, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be reduced by compensation Employee earns on account of employment with another employer.

3.8. 280G.

3.8.1. In the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), Employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to have the Payment either (i) paid or delivered in full, or (ii) capped at the amount that is $1 less than three times Employee’s “base amount,” whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable taxes, including federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). Any reduction of the Payment required by this Section 3.8.1 shall be carried out by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Payment (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

3.8.2. All determinations required to be made under Section 3.8 shall be made by the Company’s Independent Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations and documentation both to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make the determinations required under Section 3.8. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or the Accounting Firm declines such representation, Employee shall appoint a certified public accountant at another nationally recognized accounting firm (or, if none is available a lawyer with a nationally recognized law firm or a compensation consultant with a nationally recognized actuarial and benefits consulting firm) with expertise in the area of executive compensation tax law to make the determinations required hereunder (such accountant, lawyer, or consultant, as applicable, shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder), provided that such accounting firm is acceptable to the Company (the Company’s acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Employee’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee absent manifest error.

 

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4.  Confidential Information

4.1. Confidential Information and Company Relationships. Employee recognizes that the Company Group has made significant investments of time and resources in establishing substantial relationships with the Company Relationships and developing the Company Group’s reputation and goodwill. Employee further recognizes that the protection of the Company Group’s proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other Confidential Information is of value to the Company Group, vital to its interests and success, and worthy of the protection provided by Employee in Employee’s promises made in this Agreement. In exchange for Employee’s promises made in this Agreement, the Company agrees to: (i) provide Employee access to certain Confidential Information relating to the Company Business and Company Relationships, as may be relevant to Employee’s position with the Company; and (ii) make available to Employee the benefit of certain Company Relationships, as well as the Company Group’s support, specialized training, association with goodwill, and reputation. Employee acknowledges that Employee will have access to certain Confidential Information, Company Relationships, specialized training, reputation, and association with the Company Group’s goodwill and reputation while employed by the Company.

4.2. Employee Promise Not to Disclose Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that all Confidential Information is confidential, proprietary, not known outside of the Company Group’s business, valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company Group which belongs to the Company Group and gives the Company Group a competitive advantage. Employee further acknowledges that if this Confidential Information were made available to or disclosed to third parties or used by third parties and/or Employee in an unauthorized manner, such access, disclosure, or use would seriously and irreparably damage the Company Group and cause the loss of certain competitive advantages. Employee agrees that Employee is a fiduciary of the Company and will not, directly or indirectly (other than solely in furtherance of the Company Group’s business and interests as specifically authorized and directed by the Company Group) use, disclose, share, publish, or make accessible to any Person any Confidential Information that Employee may obtain or to which Employee may have access. Employee further agrees not to use Confidential Information for Employee’s own personal or commercial use or for the personal or commercial use of any other Person, or any other use in any way detrimental to the Company Group. Employee shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information within Employee’s possession or control, and to protect such information against disclosure, misuse, loss, or theft. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement with regard to any Confidential Information shall continue during and after the Term, until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge, other than as a result of Employee’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with Employee or on Employee’s behalf. Employee’s confidentiality obligations under this Agreement with regard to any of the Company Group’s trade secrets shall continue during and after the Term until such trade secrets are no longer trade secrets under applicable law. Employee understands and acknowledges that the foregoing duties do not apply to Protected Disclosures and Actions.

4.3. Return of Property; Access to Non-Company Devices/Accounts Holding Such Information. Upon request, and in any event, without request upon the applicable Termination Date, Employee shall promptly return to the Company, and cease all access to, all Company Group property in Employee’s possession and control, including property purchased by the Company or reimbursed by the Company Group, whether in electronic or hard copy or other format, whether involving Confidential Information or not, and regardless of location on Company Group equipment, accounts, or premises, or on Employee’s personal equipment, accounts or premises. This property to be returned includes any keys, access cards, credit cards, smartphones, tablets, computer storage media of any kind (flash drives, external drives), or other hardware or software equipment, any communications of any kind regarding Employee’s work on behalf of the Company Group, any of the Company Group records, files, data, accounts, and documents, including any copies. Employee agrees to report to the Company any passwords or other access

 

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codes for anything associated with Employee’s employment under this Agreement, whether equipment or accounts or otherwise. Employee represents Employee will not share access, forward, delete, modify, copy, clean, or alter any property, prior to its return to the Company. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may inspect or use computer imaging and forensics to determine if these obligations have been met, and if they have not been met, additional inspection, imaging and searching of any accounts (including cloud or web-based accounts) or devices or storage locations (including personal ones) used to store or transmit Company Group property or information (whether confidential or not) may be used to locate, retrieve, and remove the Company Group’s property and information. Employee is encouraged to use only Company laptops, devices or accounts for storing, transmitting, and accessing Company Group information or property.

4.4. Protected Disclosures and Actions. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall be construed to prevent, restrict, or impede disclosure of Confidential Information or other information, or any of the other actions outlined below, in each case, in the following circumstances (collectively, the “Protected Disclosures and Actions”):

4.4.1. As provided by the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 28 U.S.C. §1833(b) (the “DTSA”), Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (i) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal or per court order. In the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney(s) and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.2. In connection with Employee’s reporting potential violations of applicable federal, state or local law to any law enforcement or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), or the SEC, or responding to or otherwise participating in any agency’s investigation, lawsuit, or other actions taken by any agency, or taking any other actions protected under applicable law, including but not limited to the Speak Out Act, including disclosure of any alleged unlawful conduct or whistleblower activity or filing any complaint or charge with an agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict Employee from filing a charge or complaint of possible unlawful activity, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with any governmental agency. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.3. In connection with: (i) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful; and/or (ii) any legal action or proceeding in which Employee or the Company seeks to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.4. As may be required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized governmental agency), provided that Employee notifies the Company upon receiving or becoming aware of the legal process in question so that the Company may have the opportunity to respond or seek a protective or other order to restrict or prevent such disclosure, and such disclosure does not exceed the scope of disclosure required by such law, regulation or legal process. This Section 4.4.4 regarding legal process applies to situations not covered by the protections above and does not, in any way, impose prior notice requirements, or restrict or impede Employee from exercising protected rights described above or as provided by law.

 

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5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. Work Product. Employee acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee, individually or jointly with others during the Term and that relate in any way to the Company Business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or any other member of the Company Group or result from any work performed by Employee for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), and all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), and rights in data and databases, (iv) trade secrets, know-how, and other Confidential Information, and (v) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company Group information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information..

5.2. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. Employee acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

5.3. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after the Term, Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (i) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (ii) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits,

 

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waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. Employee hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Employee’s behalf in Employee’s name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Employee does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Employee’s subsequent incapacity.

5.4. Prior Intellectual Property. If Employee has inventions, improvements or discoveries which Employee has made or conceived or first reduced to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, prior to Employee’s employment under this Agreement, and which Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement, Employee shall discuss with the Company, attach a complete and accurate list to Exhibit B of this Agreement, and deliver to the Company upon signing this Agreement. If no such list is attached, then Employee represents there are no exclusions to this Agreement.

6.  Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

6.1. Employee Acknowledgment of Need for Protections and Restrictions Promised; Consideration. Employee acknowledges and understands that Employee’s promises in this Agreement restrict some of Employee’s actions during and after the Term but will not operate to impose an undue hardship upon Employee and will not prevent Employee from supporting Employee’s self after the applicable Termination Date. Employee further acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interests in the Confidential Information and Company Relationships, and Employee has or will receive Confidential Information, Company Relationships, and other sufficient consideration from the Company Group under this Agreement or otherwise to justify such restrictions. Employee understands and agrees that the restrictions in this Agreement shall continue beyond the applicable Termination Date, regardless of the reason for such termination or the Party initiating the termination. Employee acknowledges and understands that the Company would not have hired Employee or provided compensation or incentives in any form to Employee, would not have entered into this Agreement, and would not have shared Confidential Information or Company Relationships with, or provided specialized training to, Employee without Employee’s consent to and continued compliance with the terms in this Agreement. In consideration of Employee’s employment under this Agreement and all benefits to Employee because of that employment, as well as access to Confidential Information, specialized training, Company Relationships, and the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill, Employee voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

6.2. Non-Competition. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period: (i) directly or indirectly invest in, own, manage, operate, finance, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control of any Competitive Business; or (ii) be employed or engaged by, or otherwise associated with, any Competitive Business. The foregoing notwithstanding: (a) during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, Employee’s obligations under this Section 6.2 shall only restrict Employee’s activities insomuch as Employee’s activities and/or the applicable business activities of the Competitive Business (in either case, whether actual or planned) (1) occur at a physical location within the Restricted Territory or (2) are aimed or directed at, target, or reach into the Restricted Territory, regardless of the physical location from which such activities emanate; (b) Employee may own up to two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (c) Employee is not excluded from any role for which there is no possible use of the Confidential Information to provide a business advantage to the Competitive Business.

 

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6.3. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire, retain, do business with, or consult with any Restricted Company Relationship, for the benefit of a Competitive Business; or (ii) in any other manner attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any Restricted Company Relationship to discontinue or materially change, in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, its relationship or business with, or purchases or orders from, the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

6.4. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Service Providers. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire or seek to hire any Restricted Service Provider for a Competitive Business, or (ii) in any other manner, attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any such Restricted Service Provider to terminate, reduce or materially change in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, such Restricted Service Provider’s employment or other business relationship with the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Service Provider in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider.

6.5. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee and the Company agree and acknowledge that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the Company Group’s Confidential Information and other confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, business relationships, and other legitimate business interests, including the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions above are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions in this Agreement to be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

6.6. Tolling. The duration of the Post-Employment Restricted Period and Employee’s obligations during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, as outlined above, shall be tolled and suspended for any period that Employee is in violation of these covenants up to the maximum amount of time permitted under applicable law.

7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees that Employee shall not, at any time, make, publish or communicate, whether orally, in writing or electronically, to any Person or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements about the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any of such entities’ respective businesses, business practices, or employees or officers. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from making truthful statements that are covered by the Protected Disclosures and Actions or reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

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8. Confidentiality of Agreement; Notification to Subsequent Employers. Employee understands and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and Employee shall not disclose, disseminate, or publicize the existence or content of this Agreement to any Person, except (i) for any Protected Disclosure or Action, (ii) to Employee’s spouse, attorney, financial advisor, and government tax authorities, or (iii) as reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. Employee further agrees that, for so long as Employee’s post-employment obligations under this Agreement apply, Employee must inform any prospective employer or other Person with which Employee will be affiliated of such post-employment obligations, before accepting an offer of employment or other engagement. Employee consents to the Company Group providing notification to any of Employee’s actual or potential employers or other business relationships which may potentially interfere with this Agreement, of this Agreement and its terms and conditions.

9. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby designate (i) all members of the Company Group that are not signatories to this Agreement and/or (ii) any successors or assigns as permitted under this Agreement, as intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, having the right to enforce this Agreement, including without limitation, the restrictions protecting the Company Group’s property, Confidential Information, Company Relationships, training, reputation and goodwill.

10. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Employee, and that the Company shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by specific performance and immediate injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all remedies available to the Company at law, under common and statutory law, under other agreements, or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages caused by Employee’s breach, and the return of any payments, equity or other consideration paid or provided to Employee where Employee’s receipt of which was conditioned on compliance with this Agreement. Employee agrees to indemnify each member of the Company Group and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, or expenses including, without limitation, attorney’s fees incurred by any of them, arising out of any breach of, misrepresentation made in, or challenge to the enforceability of, this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company shall be entitled to the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in enforcing this Agreement. Employee’s remedies for breach of this Agreement by the Company are limited to recovery of, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, and/or the CIC Severance Benefits. Employee’s rights to the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are determined by the terms of this Agreement, and Employee may recover attorneys’ fees if allowed by applicable law.

11. Indemnification.

11.1. Indemnification. In the event that Employee is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”) arising out of any act or omission by Employee in Employee’s capacity as a director or officer of the Parent or any other member of the Company Group, then the Parent or its successors or assigns shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Parent’s organizational documents from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). For the avoidance of doubt, Proceedings arising from any contest or dispute between Employee and any member of the Company Group, including, without limitation, any such Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall not be subject to indemnification.

 

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11.2. D&O Insurance. During the Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, any applicable member of the Company Group or any successor to the Parent shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated senior executives of the Parent or any successor or assign.

12.  Definitions. The following terms shall have the stated meaning, whenever used in this Agreement:

12.1. “Cause” means the following acts or omissions by Employee, as judged in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable):

12.1.1. Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Company Group, on the other hand, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.1 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.2. Employee’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any other member of the Company Group that is applicable to Employee and made known to Employee prior to such breach; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.2 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.3. Employee’s breach of any material law applicable to the employment relationship, including any such law with respect to sexual harassment, non-discrimination or non-retaliation;

12.1.4. Employee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under this Agreement;

12.1.5. Any act of fraud or embezzlement by Employee, or material act of theft, in each case, with respect to any member of the Company Group;

12.1.6.  Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or receipt of deferred adjudication for any (i) crime that constitutes a felony or (ii) crime or offense that constitutes a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other conduct involving moral turpitude; or

12.1.7. Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to (i) perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group or (ii) follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.7 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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12.2. “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur after the Effective Date:

12.2.1. a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) or more than one “person” acting as a “group” (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (B)) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, an “person” that, prior to such transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Parent or any Permitted Holder), directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of the securities of the Parent that, together with securities held by such “person” or “group”, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Parent outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

12.2.2. a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent, or similar transaction is consummated, unless the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent immediately before the consummation of such transaction directly or indirectly beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the issuance of equity securities of the Parent and changes to its Board in an IPO (and any related issuance of equity securities of Flowco MergeCo LLC, and reorganization of Flowco MergeCo LLC and changes to its Board) shall not constitute a “Change in Control”; and (ii) only to the extent that compensation herein is subject to Section 409A and would not otherwise comply with Section 409A, a “Change in Control” shall occur only to the extent that the triggering event constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A and the Treasury Department regulations thereunder.

12.3. “Company Business” means (i) the design, development, manufacture, assembly, sale or provision otherwise of (a) compression units utilized in high pressure gas lift, field gathering, traditional gas lift, vapor recovery, and wellhead applications, and (b) surface and downhole equipment utilized in plunger lift, traditional gas lift, plunger-assisted gas lift, and gas-assisted plunger lift applications; and/or (ii) any other business activities engaged in by any member of the Company Group during the Term.

12.4. “Company Relationships” means any Person who is a supplier, vendor, customer, or other business relationship of any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CFO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Company Relationships.

12.5. “Competitive Business” means any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) engaged in or planning to become engaged in any business and/or activities that the same as, substantially similar to, or the functional equivalent of, and, in all cases, competitive, in whole or in part, with, the Company Business during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CFO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all portions of the Company Business.

12.6. “Confidential Information” means any information about the Company Group that has not been intentionally and with authority disclosed to the public by any member of the Company Group, as applicable, including, without limitation, information pertaining to the Company Group’s trade secrets; methodology and know-how; information concerning the Company Group’s products, product pricing information and programs; product or other costs; future and current business and marketing information and techniques, plans, and business processes; research and development plans and strategies; business opportunities; operations; agreements and their terms; potential transactions and negotiations; inventions,

 

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modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes, recipes, raw materials, ingredients, flavors, intellectual property rights of the Company Group; business records; supplier information, including contracts and communications; financial information; accounting records; legal information; sales information; inventory; gross and net profit margins, market share data, finances, budgets, forecasts, projections, financial statements, and indebtedness; software utilized in operations; information concerning employees, partners, and contractors including identities, contact information, compensation, training, or other terms of engagement and performance; investor information; legal, regulatory, compliance, administrative, and management information; and information regarding past, current, and potential customers, including communications, customer lists, customer history, customer product information, customer contract information, contract negotiation information and terms, contact information for customers, and customer issues, requests, preferences and needs. Confidential Information spans any relationship or engagement between the Parties, before or after the date of this Agreement.

12.7. “Current and Former Company Relationship” means any Person who is a Company Relationship at any time during the Look-Back Period.

12.8. “Disability” means a condition that entitles Employee to receive long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if there is no such plan, Employee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days; provided, however, in the event that the Company temporarily replaces Employee, or transfers Employee’s duties or responsibilities to another individual on account of Employee’s inability to perform such duties due to a mental or physical incapacity which is, or is reasonably expected to become, a Disability, then Employee’s employment shall not be deemed terminated by the Company. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer.

12.9. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Employee’s written consent:

12.9.1. a relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment, as described in Section 1.5, by more than 30 miles;

12.9.2. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

12.9.3. a material, adverse change in the Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Employee is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of the grounds for such Good Reason termination within thirty (30) days of the first occurrence of such grounds and such grounds must remain uncured by the Company for sixty (60) days after Employee first provided the Board written notice of the obligation to cure such grounds; provided, further, that Employee must terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds or Employee will be deemed to have waived the right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

 

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12.10. “IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities of a Parent pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC.

12.11. “Look-Back Period” means the most recent twelve-(12) month period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, including, if Employee’s employment under this Agreement has ended, the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.

12.12. “Parent” means as of the date of this Agreement, Flowco MergeCo LLC, and following the consummation of an IPO and issuance of a managing member interest in Flowco MergeCo LLC to Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco Holdings Inc.

12.13. “Permitted Holder” means Jonathan B. Fairbanks, GEC Advisors LLC, White Deer Management, LLC, and any of their respective Affiliates.

12.14. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

12.15. “Post-Employment Restricted Period” means the period commencing on the Termination Date and continuing until the expiration of (i) twenty-four (24) months, or (ii) in the event Employee is entitled to receive the Severance Benefits outlined in Section 3.4.2, twelve (12) months.

12.16. “Prospective Company Relationship” means any Person who is actively and materially contacted or solicited (directly or indirectly), at any time during the Look-Back Period, by any member of the Company Group for the purpose of becoming a Company Relationship of such member of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CFO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Prospective Company Relationships.

12.17. “Restricted Company Relationship” means all Current and Former Company Relationships and Prospective Company Relationships.

12.18. “Restricted Service Provider” means any Person who is a Service Provider at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CFO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Service Providers.

12.19. “Restricted Territory” means any metropolitan markets in the United States in which the Company Group conducts business or has taken active steps to conduct business, in each case, at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as CFO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all of the Restricted Territory.

12.20. “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

12.21. “Service Provider” means any Person who is employed by or engaged to perform personal services as an independent contractor or consultant for any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term.

 

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12.22. “Termination Date” means:

12.22.1. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s death, the date of Employee’s death;

12.22.2. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s Disability, the date the Disability determination is made or, if later, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.3. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.4. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for convenience, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that the Company shall have the option to waive all or any portion of such notice period by giving written notice to Employee, provided, further, that, in lieu of the portion of the notice period so waived, the Company provides Employee with a payment equal to the Base Salary prorated based upon the number of days of the notice period so waived, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date specified in written notice of waiver from the Company;

12.22.5. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee for convenience, the date specified in Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the thirty (30)-day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to Employee and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company;

12.22.6. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee with Good Reason, the date specified in the Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date on which the grounds giving rise to such termination for Good Reason first occurred.

13.  Miscellaneous

13.1. Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiation of the Agreement. The Company shall reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee, all reasonable legal fees incurred in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00).

13.2. Withholding of Taxes and Other Items. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, as well as any other authorized deduction or withholding or other amounts owed by Employee to the Company Group. Furthermore, should Employee owe the Company any amount as of or following the Termination Date, Employee hereby authorizes the Company to deduct the amount owed by Employee from, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Pay, the CIC Severance Pay, and/or any other amounts otherwise owed to Employee by the Company.

13.3. Representations; Entire Agreement. Employee acknowledges that Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement. Employee has carefully read and fully understands all of the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter of this

 

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Agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, this Agreement is not the entire agreement and instead supplements and does not replace any obligations owed by Employee to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under existing agreements or applicable law regarding non-disparagement, confidentiality, non-disclosure, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, tortious interference, non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-interference.

13.4. No Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company to declare a default on the occurrence of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee or to require strict compliance with any term of the Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any current or subsequent breach or non-compliance by Employee. Any waiver by the Company must be agreed to in writing by an authorized representative of the Company. No waiver by the Company of any breach by Employee of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by Employee shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

13.5. Severability; Modification; Amendment. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable and thus stricken, or shall only be enforceable if modified, then such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the Parties with any such modification to become a part of the Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing or striking such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as such court deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement, as so modified by the court, shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement. Other than any court modification or severance provided for in this Section 13.5, this Agreement may be amended only if in writing and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

13.6. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

13.7. Successors and Assigns; Assignability. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. Employee’s obligations are personal in nature and Employee shall not assign or transfer any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement and/or the rights and/or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any other member of the Company Group or any successor in the event of a Change in Control or any other transfer or sale of all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of the Company Group, and in any such event, all references to “the Company” in this Agreement shall then be deemed to refer to any such member of the Company Group or successor entity. Employee hereby consents to any permitted transfer or assignment, as provided under this Section 13.7 or Section 1.6.

 

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13.8. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Harris County, Texas. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

13.9. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed via electronic means, and such execution shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

13.10. Titles and Headings; No Construction against Drafter. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No terms of this Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the primary drafter.

13.11. Survival. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, other than those outlined in Section 1 and Section 2, and any provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, continue to apply following, and survive, in each case, (i) any actual or alleged breach of this Agreement by either Party, (ii) the termination of this Agreement, and (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, regardless of the reason for, or Party initiating, any such employment termination.

13.12. Section 409A.

13.12.1. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to Employee. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the provisions of Section 13.12 regarding Section 409A shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

13.12.2. Payments and benefits paid or provided under this Agreement upon the termination of Employee’s employment, by either Party and for any reason, that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A shall be paid or provided only at the time of any such employment termination that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

13.12.3. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

13.12.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Employee, and (ii) the date of Employee’s death, to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the

 

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foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to Section 13.12 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

13.12.5. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Employee’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

13.12.6. In the event that Employee is required to execute a release to receive any payments from the Company that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following the applicable Termination Date. Any payments that are suspended during the sixty (60) day period shall be paid on the date the first regular payroll is made immediately following the end of such period.

13.12.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

13.12.8. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with Employee, reform such provision to attempt to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Employee by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

13.13. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement must be in writing by a method of delivery that provides for a receipt, and shall be considered duly delivered on the date so provided in such receipt if sent to or made at the addresses listed below, as applicable:

If to Employee: The address specified beneath Employee’s signature line on this Agreement.

 

If to the Company:     Flowco MasterCo LLC
   Attn: Joe Bob Edwards
   1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 450
   Houston, Texas 77056
   jedwards@flowgistix.com

Notice of change in address should be provided as stated in this Section 13.13

 

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[Signature Page Follows]

 

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THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH PARTY VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

Executed this 12th day of October, 2024.

 

Employee:   Johnathan W. Byers
Signature:   /s/ Johnathan W. Byers
Address:   3723 Harper Street
  Houston, TX 77005

Executed this 12th day of October, 2024.

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC

 

By:   /s/ Joe Bob Edwards        Joe Bob Edwards  
Company Representative Signature     Company Representative Printed Name    

 

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Exhibit A

Certain Permitted Activities


Exhibit B

Prior Inventions

[If blank below this line then none were disclosed]

Exhibit 10.11

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Chad Roberts (“Employee”) and Flowco MasterCo, LLC (the “Company,” and together with the Parent (as defined herein) and the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company Group”), effective as of October 29, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). Employee and the Company may sometimes be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

1.  Employment and Duties

1.1. Term. Employee’s employment is governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the applicable Termination Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date shall be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2. Duties of Employment. During the Term, Employee will be employed to provide full-time services as the Executive Vice President of Production Solutions (“EVP of Production Solutions”) of the Parent. Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Parent. Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee’s abilities the duties and services consistent with and normally incidental to any position Employee holds, as well as any related or additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Parent from time to time. The Employee shall, if requested, also serve as an officer or director of any other member of the Company Group (including the Parent), as may be requested by the Company, the Parent or the Board of Managers or Board of Manager, as applicable, of the Parent (in either case, the “Board”) from time to time, for no additional compensation.

1.3. Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, at all times during the Term, Employee owes fiduciary duties to the Company Group including but not limited to, duties of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, and to always act in the best interest of the Company Group, and in compliance with all applicable laws and policies and agreements of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, following the Termination Date, Employee shall continue to refrain from using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of others, or from disclosing to others, any information or opportunities pertaining to the Company Group’s businesses or interests that were entrusted to Employee. Employee agrees to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest, such as any circumstances where Employee has a personal, financial or business interest which conflicts with or interferes with the Company Group’s interests. Upon becoming aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest, Employee shall immediately disclose in writing to the CEO the relevant circumstances. Employee represents that Employee is not a party to any other agreement, or under any other duty, which will interfere or conflict with Employee’s full compliance with this Agreement. Employee will not enter into any agreement or undertake any other duty, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.4. Outside Activities. During the Term, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group and will not engage in any other business, profession, or occupation for compensation or otherwise. Employee further agrees not to engage in any other activities which would or might reasonably be expected to cause Employee to use Confidential Information other than in the Company Group’s interest, and Employee acknowledges that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest with the Company Group and a violation of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be permitted to (i) act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member, or principal of any type of professional, civic, or charitable organization; (ii) engage in such other activities, including, service as an advisor to or director of a board or other governing body, as elected by Employee, provided that, Employee first discloses any such activity, in writing, to, and obtains prior written approval from, the CEO;


Execution Version

 

(iii) continue to engage in those activities, and continue to own or hold, at the same percentage of ownership or holding in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the equity interests, in each case, set forth on Exhibit A; and (iv) purchase or own less than two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities or interests described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) do not interfere with or otherwise impact Employee’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of Employee’s position(s) with any member of the Company Group, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 1.

1.5. Place of Performance. The principal place of performance for Employee’s employment shall be the Company’s Kilgore, Texas location; provided that, Employee may be required to travel on Company Group business during the Term.

1.6. Payroll Entity. The Parties acknowledge that Estis Compression LLC (the “Payroll Entity”) directly employs Employee, and the Company indirectly owns and controls the Payroll Entity (and all other members of the Company Group, except the Parent). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise, the Company directs and controls Employee’s employment under this Agreement and shall cause the Payroll Entity or, if applicable, any other member of the Company Group to honor all obligations undertaken by the Company under this Agreement, including, paying or providing the payments and benefits outlined in this Agreement. The Company may in its discretion, and without the need for amendment to this Agreement, transfer Employee’s direct employment to the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time, and Employee hereby consents to such transfer.

2.  Compensation and Benefits

2.1. Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized base salary in the gross amount of $450,000.00 (“Base Salary”), which shall be payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices. The Company may, in its discretion, but shall not be required to, approve adjustments to Employee’s Base Salary from time to time, and if approved, such new amount will become the Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

2.2. Business Expenses. Subject to the Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its similarly situated senior executives, during the Term, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business-related expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group, including reasonable business, travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses.

2.3. Annual Cash Incentive. For the 2025 calendar year and each complete calendar year thereafter during the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 75% of Base Salary (“Target Bonus”), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Section 2.3. As conditions to earning any Annual Bonus, (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4.1, Section 3.4.2.1 and Section 3.4.3(A), Employee must be actively employed by the Company in good standing on the date the Annual Bonus is paid, (ii) the Company’s audited financials for the applicable calendar year must be finalized and approved, and (iii) Employee must be in compliance with all terms of this Agreement. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months after the end of the applicable calendar year. All other terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an

 

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Execution Version

 

Annual Bonus, whether any Annual Bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such Annual Bonus, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For the 2024 calendar year, Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based upon actual performance pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of, the previously approved 2024 bonus plan for GEC Estis Holdings, LLC (the “2024 Bonus”).

2.4. Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any equity plan established by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group) for the benefit of similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of any such equity plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by the Board or its designee, in its discretion.

2.5. Benefits. During the Term, Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee’s family, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans, practices and programs, as in effect from time to time, and made available to Employee and/or similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, practice or program. Such benefit plans, practices and programs may include, without limitation, vacation and holiday plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The Company Group reserves the right to modify, add or discontinue any of its existing employee benefit plans, practices or programs, at the Company Group’s sole and absolute discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

3.  Termination of Employment

3.1. Reasons for Termination.

3.1.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any further action by either Party.

3.1.2. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause at any time. While the Company is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause, the Company may place the Employee on paid leave and any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.

3.1.3. Termination by Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason at any time.

3.1.4. Termination by Either Party for Convenience. The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time for convenience.

3.2. Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1 (other than a termination on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (each, a “Notice of Termination”) delivered to the other Party in accordance with Section 13.13. The Notice of Termination shall specify the applicable reason for the termination enumerated in Section 3.1.1 through Section 3.1.4 and the applicable Termination Date. If no Termination Date is provided in the Notice of Termination, the Board will determine the Termination Date.

 

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3.3. Effect of Termination for Any Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1, the following provisions shall apply:

3.3.1. Deemed Resignation from all Other Positions. Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions Employee holds as an officer of the Parent or member of the Board (or committee thereof) and any other positions or board seats held by Employee with any other member of the Company Group, including the Company.

3.3.2. Cessation of Benefits. Employee’s eligibility to participate in any of the Company Group’s benefits and plans shall cease effective as of the applicable Termination Date. To the extent that Employee and Employee’s spouse and/or eligible dependents (as applicable) participate in any of the Company Group’s group medical and/or dental plans as of the Termination Date, Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (as applicable) may be eligible to continue such coverage following the Termination Date pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the election of, and the payment of any premiums due with respect to, such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and, except to the extent provided in Section 3.4.2.3 and Section 3.4.3(C), the Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

3.3.3. Receipt of Accrued Amounts. All of Employee’s rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that Employee or Employee’s estate, as applicable, will receive (i) any portion of the Base Salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the Termination Date, which shall be paid as required by applicable law, on or soon after the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement by Employee, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.2 and Company policy, which remain unpaid as of the Termination Date (the sum of the amounts in clauses (i)-(ii), the “Accrued Amounts”).

3.3.4. Equity Awards. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.4. The Company’s Additional Obligations Upon Certain Terminations.

3.4.1. Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated due to Employee’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 3.1.1, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (i) any unpaid Annual Bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (“Unpaid Bonus Payment”); and (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, that Employee would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, which shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, as outlined in Section 2.3, and (B) a fraction where the numerator is equal to the number of days Employee was employed by the Company in the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, and the denominator is equal to 365 (the “Prorated Bonus Payment”). The Prorated Bonus Payment and the Unpaid Bonus Payment shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

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3.4.2. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the benefits outlined below:

3.4.2.1. Unpaid Bonus Payment; Prorated Bonus Payment. A Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2.2. Severance Pay. A cash payment equal to the sum of (i) the Base Salary and (ii) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Severance Pay” and together with the COBRA Benefit (defined below), the “Severance Benefits”). The Severance Pay shall be paid to Employee in roughly equal periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided that, the first installment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur following the effective date of the applicable Release Agreement (defined below) (such effective date, the “Release Effective Date” and the date the first installment is paid, the “Initial Payment Date”); provided, further, that the first installment shall include, in addition to the regular installment amount, a lump sum equal to any installment amounts not paid during the period elapsing between the Termination Date and the Initial Payment Date.

3.4.2.3. COBRA Benefit. Provided Employee (on Employee’s own behalf and/or, if applicable, on behalf of Employee’s eligible dependents) timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (”COBRA”), the Company shall pay on Employee’s behalf the monthly COBRA premium associated with such continuation coverage for the period beginning on the first day of the month following the Release Effective Date and ending on the earliest of: (i) the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Release Effective Date; (ii) the date Employee is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Employee receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source (the applicable period, the “COBRA Period” and each such payment, a “COBRA Payment”). The Company will pay each COBRA Payment, if any, directly to the COBRA administrator; provided that Employee first delivers the applicable COBRA invoice to the Company in the manner outlined in Section 13.13; provided, further, that no COBRA Payment will be paid prior to the Release Effective Date. All COBRA Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4.2.3 shall be collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “COBRA Benefit”. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be responsible for the full cost of the monthly COBRA premium associated with any such continuation coverage that becomes due, if any, before or after the COBRA Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if making the payments outlined under this Section 3.4.2.3 would cause a violation of the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the Parties agree to reform this Section 3.4.2.3 in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

 

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3.4.3. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason During the CIC Period. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, in either case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “CIC Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (A) a Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year; (B) a cash payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (1) the Base Salary and (2) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clause (B) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Pay”), which shall be paid to Employee in the same manner, and subject to the same provisos, as outlined in Section 3.4.2.2 for Severance Pay; and (C) the COBRA Benefit, subject to, and provided in accordance with, the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.4.2.3 (collectively, the foregoing clauses (B) and (C) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Benefits”).

3.5. Conditions to the Company’s Additional Obligations. Employee’s right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, the CIC Severance Benefits or any other recovery under this Agreement is conditioned upon Employee’s (i) execution on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) of a standard separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”), which Release Agreement shall include, among other provisions, a general waiver and release of the Company and all other members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims, including, without limitation, any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with any member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, by either Party for any reason, but excluding all claims to, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits Employee may have under Section 3.4, (ii) non-revocation of the Release Agreement within any time period provided by the Company to do so, and (ii) continued, complete and timely compliance with all terms of this Agreement. Unless Employee executes the Release Agreement prior to the Release Expiration Date, delivers the executed Release Agreement to the Company, and the required revocation period expires without revocation of the Release Agreement by Employee, Employee will not receive, and Employee forfeits any right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits (or any portion thereof). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

3.6. After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, but within the twelve (12) months immediately following the Termination Date, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or otherwise determines that Employee has failed to abide by the terms of this Agreement before or after the Termination Date, or that a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, if known by the Company at that time, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment for

 

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Cause, then the Company shall provide notice to Employee and Employee shall promptly return to the Company, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits already provided or paid to Employee, and the Company’s obligation to provide or pay any then remaining, as applicable, Unpaid Bonus Payment, Prorated Bonus Payment, Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits shall cease immediately.

3.7. Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3.4.2.3, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be reduced by compensation Employee earns on account of employment with another employer.

3.8. 280G.

3.8.1. In the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), Employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to have the Payment either (i) paid or delivered in full, or (ii) capped at the amount that is $1 less than three times Employee’s “base amount,” whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable taxes, including federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). Any reduction of the Payment required by this Section 3.8.1 shall be carried out by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Payment (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

3.8.2. All determinations required to be made under Section 3.8 shall be made by the Company’s Independent Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations and documentation both to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make the determinations required under Section 3.8. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or the Accounting Firm declines such representation, Employee shall appoint a certified public accountant at another nationally recognized accounting firm (or, if none is available a lawyer with a nationally recognized law firm or a compensation consultant with a nationally recognized actuarial and benefits consulting firm) with expertise in the area of executive compensation tax law to make the determinations required hereunder (such accountant, lawyer, or consultant, as applicable, shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder), provided that such accounting firm is acceptable to the Company (the Company’s acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Employee’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee absent manifest error.

 

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4.  Confidential Information

4.1. Confidential Information and Company Relationships. Employee recognizes that the Company Group has made significant investments of time and resources in establishing substantial relationships with the Company Relationships and developing the Company Group’s reputation and goodwill. Employee further recognizes that the protection of the Company Group’s proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other Confidential Information is of value to the Company Group, vital to its interests and success, and worthy of the protection provided by Employee in Employee’s promises made in this Agreement. In exchange for Employee’s promises made in this Agreement, the Company agrees to: (i) provide Employee access to certain Confidential Information relating to the Company Business and Company Relationships, as may be relevant to Employee’s position with the Company; and (ii) make available to Employee the benefit of certain Company Relationships, as well as the Company Group’s support, specialized training, association with goodwill, and reputation. Employee acknowledges that Employee will have access to certain Confidential Information, Company Relationships, specialized training, reputation, and association with the Company Group’s goodwill and reputation while employed by the Company.

4.2. Employee Promise Not to Disclose Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that all Confidential Information is confidential, proprietary, not known outside of the Company Group’s business, valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company Group which belongs to the Company Group and gives the Company Group a competitive advantage. Employee further acknowledges that if this Confidential Information were made available to or disclosed to third parties or used by third parties and/or Employee in an unauthorized manner, such access, disclosure, or use would seriously and irreparably damage the Company Group and cause the loss of certain competitive advantages. Employee agrees that Employee is a fiduciary of the Company and will not, directly or indirectly (other than solely in furtherance of the Company Group’s business and interests as specifically authorized and directed by the Company Group) use, disclose, share, publish, or make accessible to any Person any Confidential Information that Employee may obtain or to which Employee may have access. Employee further agrees not to use Confidential Information for Employee’s own personal or commercial use or for the personal or commercial use of any other Person, or any other use in any way detrimental to the Company Group. Employee shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information within Employee’s possession or control, and to protect such information against disclosure, misuse, loss, or theft. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement with regard to any Confidential Information shall continue during and after the Term, until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge, other than as a result of Employee’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with Employee or on Employee’s behalf. Employee’s confidentiality obligations under this Agreement with regard to any of the Company Group’s trade secrets shall continue during and after the Term until such trade secrets are no longer trade secrets under applicable law. Employee understands and acknowledges that the foregoing duties do not apply to Protected Disclosures and Actions.

4.3. Return of Property; Access to Non-Company Devices/Accounts Holding Such Information. Upon request, and in any event, without request upon the applicable Termination Date, Employee shall promptly return to the Company, and cease all access to, all Company Group property in Employee’s possession and control, including property purchased by the Company or reimbursed by the Company Group, whether in electronic or hard copy or other format, whether involving Confidential Information or not, and regardless of location on Company Group equipment, accounts, or premises, or on Employee’s personal equipment, accounts or premises. This property to be returned includes any keys, access cards, credit cards, smartphones, tablets, computer storage media of any kind (flash drives, external drives), or other hardware or software equipment, any communications of any kind regarding Employee’s work on behalf of the Company Group, any of the Company Group records, files, data, accounts, and documents, including any copies. Employee agrees to report to the Company any passwords or other access

 

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codes for anything associated with Employee’s employment under this Agreement, whether equipment or accounts or otherwise. Employee represents Employee will not share access, forward, delete, modify, copy, clean, or alter any property, prior to its return to the Company. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may inspect or use computer imaging and forensics to determine if these obligations have been met, and if they have not been met, additional inspection, imaging and searching of any accounts (including cloud or web-based accounts) or devices or storage locations (including personal ones) used to store or transmit Company Group property or information (whether confidential or not) may be used to locate, retrieve, and remove the Company Group’s property and information. Employee is encouraged to use only Company laptops, devices or accounts for storing, transmitting, and accessing Company Group information or property.

4.4. Protected Disclosures and Actions. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall be construed to prevent, restrict, or impede disclosure of Confidential Information or other information, or any of the other actions outlined below, in each case, in the following circumstances (collectively, the “Protected Disclosures and Actions”):

4.4.1. As provided by the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 28 U.S.C. §1833(b) (the “DTSA”), Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (i) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal or per court order. In the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney(s) and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.2. In connection with Employee’s reporting potential violations of applicable federal, state or local law to any law enforcement or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), or the SEC, or responding to or otherwise participating in any agency’s investigation, lawsuit, or other actions taken by any agency, or taking any other actions protected under applicable law, including but not limited to the Speak Out Act, including disclosure of any alleged unlawful conduct or whistleblower activity or filing any complaint or charge with an agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict Employee from filing a charge or complaint of possible unlawful activity, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with any governmental agency. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.3. In connection with: (i) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful; and/or (ii) any legal action or proceeding in which Employee or the Company seeks to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.4. As may be required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized governmental agency), provided that Employee notifies the Company upon receiving or becoming aware of the legal process in question so that the Company may have the opportunity to respond or seek a protective or other order to restrict or prevent such disclosure, and such disclosure does not exceed the scope of disclosure required by such law, regulation or legal process. This Section 4.4.4 regarding legal process applies to situations not covered by the protections above and does not, in any way, impose prior notice requirements, or restrict or impede Employee from exercising protected rights described above or as provided by law.

 

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5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. Work Product. Employee acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee, individually or jointly with others during the Term and that relate in any way to the Company Business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or any other member of the Company Group or result from any work performed by Employee for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), and all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), and rights in data and databases, (iv) trade secrets, know-how, and other Confidential Information, and (v) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company Group information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information.

5.2. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. Employee acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

5.3. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after the Term, Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (i) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (ii) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits,

 

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waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. Employee hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Employee’s behalf in Employee’s name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Employee does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Employee’s subsequent incapacity.

5.4. Prior Intellectual Property. If Employee has inventions, improvements or discoveries which Employee has made or conceived or first reduced to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, prior to Employee’s employment under this Agreement, and which Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement, Employee shall discuss with the Company, attach a complete and accurate list to Exhibit B of this Agreement, and deliver to the Company upon signing this Agreement. If no such list is attached, then Employee represents there are no exclusions to this Agreement.

6.  Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

6.1. Employee Acknowledgment of Need for Protections and Restrictions Promised; Consideration. Employee acknowledges and understands that Employee’s promises in this Agreement restrict some of Employee’s actions during and after the Term but will not operate to impose an undue hardship upon Employee and will not prevent Employee from supporting Employee’s self after the applicable Termination Date. Employee further acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interests in the Confidential Information and Company Relationships, and Employee has or will receive Confidential Information, Company Relationships, and other sufficient consideration from the Company Group under this Agreement or otherwise to justify such restrictions. Employee understands and agrees that the restrictions in this Agreement shall continue beyond the applicable Termination Date, regardless of the reason for such termination or the Party initiating the termination. Employee acknowledges and understands that the Company would not have hired Employee or provided compensation or incentives in any form to Employee, would not have entered into this Agreement, and would not have shared Confidential Information or Company Relationships with, or provided specialized training to, Employee without Employee’s consent to and continued compliance with the terms in this Agreement. In consideration of Employee’s employment under this Agreement and all benefits to Employee because of that employment, as well as access to Confidential Information, specialized training, Company Relationships, and the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill, Employee voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

6.2. Non-Competition. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period: (i) directly or indirectly invest in, own, manage, operate, finance, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control of any Competitive Business; or (ii) be employed or engaged by, or otherwise associated with, any Competitive Business. The foregoing notwithstanding: (a) during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, Employee’s obligations under this Section 6.2 shall only restrict Employee’s activities insomuch as Employee’s activities and/or the applicable business activities of the Competitive Business (in either case, whether actual or planned) (1) occur at a physical location within the Restricted Territory or (2) are aimed or directed at, target, or reach into the Restricted Territory, regardless of the physical location from which such activities emanate; (b) Employee may own up to two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (c) Employee is not excluded from any role for which there is no possible use of the Confidential Information to provide a business advantage to the Competitive Business.

 

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6.3. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire, retain, do business with, or consult with any Restricted Company Relationship, for the benefit of a Competitive Business; or (ii) in any other manner attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any Restricted Company Relationship to discontinue or materially change, in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, its relationship or business with, or purchases or orders from, the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

6.4. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Service Providers. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire or seek to hire any Restricted Service Provider for a Competitive Business, or (ii) in any other manner, attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any such Restricted Service Provider to terminate, reduce or materially change in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, such Restricted Service Provider’s employment or other business relationship with the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Service Provider in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider.

6.5. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee and the Company agree and acknowledge that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the Company Group’s Confidential Information and other confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, business relationships, and other legitimate business interests, including the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions above are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions in this Agreement to be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

6.6. Tolling. The duration of the Post-Employment Restricted Period and Employee’s obligations during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, as outlined above, shall be tolled and suspended for any period that Employee is in violation of these covenants up to the maximum amount of time permitted under applicable law.

7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees that Employee shall not, at any time, make, publish or communicate, whether orally, in writing or electronically, to any Person or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements about the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any of such entities’ respective businesses, business practices, or employees or officers. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from making truthful statements that are covered by the Protected Disclosures and Actions or reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

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8. Confidentiality of Agreement; Notification to Subsequent Employers. Employee understands and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and Employee shall not disclose, disseminate, or publicize the existence or content of this Agreement to any Person, except (i) for any Protected Disclosure or Action, (ii) to Employee’s spouse, attorney, financial advisor, and government tax authorities, or (iii) as reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. Employee further agrees that, for so long as Employee’s post-employment obligations under this Agreement apply, Employee must inform any prospective employer or other Person with which Employee will be affiliated of such post-employment obligations, before accepting an offer of employment or other engagement. Employee consents to the Company Group providing notification to any of Employee’s actual or potential employers or other business relationships which may potentially interfere with this Agreement, of this Agreement and its terms and conditions.

9. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby designate (i) all members of the Company Group that are not signatories to this Agreement and/or (ii) any successors or assigns as permitted under this Agreement, as intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, having the right to enforce this Agreement, including without limitation, the restrictions protecting the Company Group’s property, Confidential Information, Company Relationships, training, reputation and goodwill.

10. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Employee, and that the Company shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by specific performance and immediate injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all remedies available to the Company at law, under common and statutory law, under other agreements, or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages caused by Employee’s breach, and the return of any payments, equity or other consideration paid or provided to Employee where Employee’s receipt of which was conditioned on compliance with this Agreement. Employee agrees to indemnify each member of the Company Group and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, or expenses including, without limitation, attorney’s fees incurred by any of them, arising out of any breach of, misrepresentation made in, or challenge to the enforceability of, this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company shall be entitled to the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in enforcing this Agreement. Employee’s remedies for breach of this Agreement by the Company are limited to recovery of, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, and/or the CIC Severance Benefits. Employee’s rights to the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are determined by the terms of this Agreement, and Employee may recover attorneys’ fees if allowed by applicable law.

11.Indemnification.

11.1. Indemnification. In the event that Employee is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”) arising out of any act or omission by Employee in Employee’s capacity as a director or officer of the Parent or any other member of the Company Group, then the Parent or its successors or assigns shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Parent’s organizational documents from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). For the avoidance of doubt, Proceedings arising from any contest or dispute between Employee and any member of the Company Group, including, without limitation, any such Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall not be subject to indemnification.

 

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11.2. D&O Insurance. During the Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, any applicable member of the Company Group or any successor to the Parent shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated senior executives of the Parent or any successor or assign.

12.  Definitions. The following terms shall have the stated meaning, whenever used in this Agreement:

12.1. “Cause” means the following acts or omissions by Employee, as judged in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable):

12.1.1. Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Company Group, on the other hand, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.1 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.2. Employee’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any other member of the Company Group that is applicable to Employee and made known to Employee prior to such breach; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.2 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.3. Employee’s breach of any material law applicable to the employment relationship, including any such law with respect to sexual harassment, non-discrimination or non-retaliation;

12.1.4. Employee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under this Agreement;

12.1.5. Any act of fraud or embezzlement by Employee, or material act of theft, in each case, with respect to any member of the Company Group;

12.1.6.  Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or receipt of deferred adjudication for any (i) crime that constitutes a felony or (ii) crime or offense that constitutes a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other conduct involving moral turpitude; or

12.1.7. Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to (i) perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group or (ii) follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.7 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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12.2. “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur after the Effective Date:

12.2.1. a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) or more than one “person” acting as a “group” (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (B)) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, an “person” that, prior to such transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Parent or any Permitted Holder), directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of the securities of the Parent that, together with securities held by such “person” or “group”, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Parent outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

12.2.2. a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent, or similar transaction is consummated, unless the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent immediately before the consummation of such transaction directly or indirectly beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the issuance of equity securities of the Parent and changes to its Board in an IPO (and any related issuance of equity securities of Flowco MergeCo LLC, and reorganization of Flowco MergeCo LLC and changes to its Board) shall not constitute a “Change in Control”; and (ii) only to the extent that compensation herein is subject to Section 409A and would not otherwise comply with Section 409A, a “Change in Control” shall occur only to the extent that the triggering event constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A and the Treasury Department regulations thereunder.

12.3. “Company Business” means (i) the design, development, manufacture, assembly, sale or provision otherwise of, (a) compression units utilized in high pressure gas lift, field gathering, traditional gas lift, vapor recovery, and wellhead applications, and (b) surface and downhole equipment utilized in plunger lift, traditional gas lift, plunger-assisted gas lift, and gas-assisted plunger lift applications; and/or (ii) any other business activities engaged in by any member of the Company Group during the Term.

12.4. “Company Relationships” means any Person who is a supplier, vendor, customer, or other business relationship of any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Production Solutions, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Company Relationships.

12.5. “Competitive Business” means any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) engaged in or planning to become engaged in any business and/or activities that the same as, substantially similar to, or the functional equivalent of, and, in all cases, competitive, in whole or in part, with, the Company Business during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Production Solutions, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all portions of the Company Business.

12.6. “Confidential Information” means any information about the Company Group that has not been intentionally and with authority disclosed to the public by any member of the Company Group, as applicable, including, without limitation, information pertaining to the Company Group’s trade secrets; methodology and know-how; information concerning the Company Group’s products, product pricing information and programs; product or other costs; future and current business and marketing information and techniques, plans, and business processes; research and development plans and strategies; business opportunities; operations; agreements and their terms; potential transactions and negotiations; inventions,

 

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modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes, recipes, raw materials, ingredients, flavors, intellectual property rights of the Company Group; business records; supplier information, including contracts and communications; financial information; accounting records; legal information; sales information; inventory; gross and net profit margins, market share data, finances, budgets, forecasts, projections, financial statements, and indebtedness; software utilized in operations; information concerning employees, partners, and contractors including identities, contact information, compensation, training, or other terms of engagement and performance; investor information; legal, regulatory, compliance, administrative, and management information; and information regarding past, current, and potential customers, including communications, customer lists, customer history, customer product information, customer contract information, contract negotiation information and terms, contact information for customers, and customer issues, requests, preferences and needs. Confidential Information spans any relationship or engagement between the Parties, before or after the date of this Agreement.

12.7. “Current and Former Company Relationship” means any Person who is a Company Relationship at any time during the Look-Back Period.

12.8. “Disability” means a condition that entitles Employee to receive long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if there is no such plan, Employee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for 180 days out of any 365 day period or 120 consecutive days; provided, however, in the event that the Company temporarily replaces Employee, or transfers Employee’s duties or responsibilities to another individual on account of Employee’s inability to perform such duties due to a mental or physical incapacity which is, or is reasonably expected to become, a Disability, then Employee’s employment shall not be deemed terminated by the Company. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer.

12.9. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Employee’s written consent:

12.9.1. a relocation of the principal place of performance for Employee’s employment, as described in Section 1.5, by more than 30 miles;

12.9.2. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

12.9.3. a material, adverse change in the Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Employee is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of the grounds for such Good Reason termination within thirty (30) days of the first occurrence of such grounds and such grounds must remain uncured by the Company for sixty (60) days after Employee first provided the Board written notice of the obligation to cure such grounds; provided, further, that Employee must terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason within 120 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds or Employee will be deemed to have waived the right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

12.10. “IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities of a Parent pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC.

 

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12.11. “Look-Back Period” means the most recent twelve-(12) month period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, including, if Employee’s employment under this Agreement has ended, the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.

12.12. “Parent” means as of the date of this Agreement, Flowco MergeCo LLC, and following the consummation of an IPO and issuance of a managing member interest in Flowco MergeCo LLC to Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco Holdings Inc.

12.13. “Permitted Holder” means Jonathan B. Fairbanks, GEC Advisors LLC, White Deer Management, LLC, and any of their respective Affiliates.

12.14. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

12.15. “Post-Employment Restricted Period” means the period commencing on the Termination Date and continuing until the expiration of (i) twenty-four (24) months, or (ii) in the event Employee is entitled to receive the Severance Benefits outlined in Section 3.4.2, twelve (12) months.

12.16. “Prospective Company Relationship” means any Person who is actively and materially contacted or solicited (directly or indirectly), at any time during the Look-Back Period, by any member of the Company Group for the purpose of becoming a Company Relationship of such member of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Production Solutions, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Prospective Company Relationships.

12.17. “Restricted Company Relationship” means all Current and Former Company Relationships and Prospective Company Relationships.

12.18. “Restricted Service Provider” means any Person who is a Service Provider at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Production Solutions, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Service Providers.

12.19. “Restricted Territory” means any metropolitan markets in the United States in which the Company Group conducts business or has taken active steps to conduct business, in each case, at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Production Solutions, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all of the Restricted Territory.

12.20. “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

12.21. “Service Provider” means any Person who is employed by or engaged to perform personal services as an independent contractor or consultant for any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term.

12.22. “Termination Date” means:

12.22.1. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s death, the date of Employee’s death;

 

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12.22.2. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s Disability, the date the Disability determination is made or, if later, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.3. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.4. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for convenience, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that the Company shall have the option to waive all or any portion of such notice period by giving written notice to Employee, provided, further, that, in lieu of the portion of the notice period so waived, the Company provides Employee with a payment equal to the Base Salary prorated based upon the number of days of the notice period so waived, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date specified in written notice of waiver from the Company;

12.22.5. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee for convenience, the date specified in Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the thirty (30)-day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to Employee and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company;

12.22.6. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee with Good Reason, the date specified in the Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date on which the grounds giving rise to such termination for Good Reason first occurred.

13.Miscellaneous

13.1. Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiation of the Agreement. The Company shall reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee, all reasonable legal fees incurred in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00).

13.2. Withholding of Taxes and Other Items. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, as well as any other authorized deduction or withholding or other amounts owed by Employee to the Company Group. Furthermore, should Employee owe the Company any amount as of or following the Termination Date, Employee hereby authorizes the Company to deduct the amount owed by Employee from, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Pay, the CIC Severance Pay, and/or any other amounts otherwise owed to Employee by the Company.

13.3. Representations; Entire Agreement. Employee acknowledges that Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement. Employee has carefully read and fully understands all of the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, this Agreement is not the entire agreement and instead supplements and does not replace any obligations owed by Employee to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under existing agreements or applicable law regarding non-disparagement, confidentiality, non-disclosure, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, tortious interference, non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-interference.

 

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13.4. No Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company to declare a default on the occurrence of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee or to require strict compliance with any term of the Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any current or subsequent breach or non-compliance by Employee. Any waiver by the Company must be agreed to in writing by an authorized representative of the Company. No waiver by the Company of any breach by Employee of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by Employee shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

13.5. Severability; Modification; Amendment. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable and thus stricken, or shall only be enforceable if modified, then such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the Parties with any such modification to become a part of the Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing or striking such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as such court deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement, as so modified by the court, shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement. Other than any court modification or severance provided for in this Section 13.5, this Agreement may be amended only if in writing and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

13.6. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

13.7. Successors and Assigns; Assignability. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. Employee’s obligations are personal in nature and Employee shall not assign or transfer any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement and/or the rights and/or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any other member of the Company Group or any successor in the event of a Change in Control or any other transfer or sale of all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of the Company Group, and in any such event, all references to “the Company” in this Agreement shall then be deemed to refer to any such member of the Company Group or successor entity. Employee hereby consents to any permitted transfer or assignment, as provided under this Section 13.7 or Section 1.6.

13.8. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws

 

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principles that would result in application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Harris County, Texas. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

13.9. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed via electronic means, and such execution shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

13.10. Titles and Headings; No Construction against Drafter. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No terms of this Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the primary drafter.

13.11. Survival. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, other than those outlined in Section 1 and Section 2, and any provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, continue to apply following, and survive, in each case, (i) any actual or alleged breach of this Agreement by either Party, (ii) the termination of this Agreement, and (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, regardless of the reason for, or Party initiating, any such employment termination.

13.12. Section 409A.

13.12.1. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to Employee. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the provisions of Section 13.12 regarding Section 409A shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

13.12.2. Payments and benefits paid or provided under this Agreement upon the termination of Employee’s employment, by either Party and for any reason, that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A shall be paid or provided only at the time of any such employment termination that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

13.12.3. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

13.12.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Employee, and (ii) the date of Employee’s death, to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to Section 13.12 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

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13.12.5. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Employee’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

13.12.6. In the event that Employee is required to execute a release to receive any payments from the Company that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following the applicable Termination Date. Any payments that are suspended during the sixty (60) day period shall be paid on the date the first regular payroll is made immediately following the end of such period.

13.12.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

13.12.8. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with Employee, reform such provision to attempt to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Employee by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

13.13. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement must be in writing by a method of delivery that provides for a receipt, and shall be considered duly delivered on the date so provided in such receipt if sent to or made at the addresses listed below, as applicable:

If to Employee: The address specified beneath Employee’s signature line on this Agreement.

 

If to the Company: 

  

Flowco MasterCo LLC

  

Attn: Joe Bob Edwards

  

1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 450

  

Houston, Texas 77056

  

jedwards@flowgistix.com

Notice of change in address should be provided as stated in this Section 13.13

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH PARTY VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

Executed this 31st day of October, 2024.

 

Employee:   Chad Roberts
Signature:   /s/ Chad Roberts
Address:   115 Abby Gail Dr.
  Longview, TX 75605

Executed this 1st day of November, 2024.

 

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC         
By:   /s/ Joe Bob Edwards       Joe Bob Edwards   
Company Representative Signature       Company Representative Printed Name     

 

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Exhibit A

Certain Permitted Activities


Execution Version

 

Exhibit B

Prior Inventions

[If blank below this line then none were disclosed]

Exhibit 10.12

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Mims Talton (“Employee”) and Flowco MasterCo, LLC (the “Company,” and together with the Parent (as defined herein) and the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company Group”), effective as of October 29, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). Employee and the Company may sometimes be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

1. Employment and Duties

1.1. Term. Employee’s employment is governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the applicable Termination Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date shall be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2. Duties of Employment. During the Term, Employee will be employed to provide full-time services as the Executive Vice President of Natural Gas Technologies (“EVP of Natural Gas Technologies”) of the Parent. Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Parent. Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee’s abilities the duties and services consistent with and normally incidental to any position Employee holds, as well as any related or additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Parent from time to time. The Employee shall, if requested, also serve as an officer or director of any other member of the Company Group (including the Parent), as may be requested by the Company, the Parent or the Board of Managers or Board of Manager, as applicable, of the Parent (in either case, the “Board”) from time to time, for no additional compensation.

1.3. Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, at all times during the Term, Employee owes fiduciary duties to the Company Group including but not limited to, duties of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, and to always act in the best interest of the Company Group, and in compliance with all applicable laws and policies and agreements of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, following the Termination Date, Employee shall continue to refrain from using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of others, or from disclosing to others, any information or opportunities pertaining to the Company Group’s businesses or interests that were entrusted to Employee. Employee agrees to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest, such as any circumstances where Employee has a personal, financial or business interest which conflicts with or interferes with the Company Group’s interests. Upon becoming aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest, Employee shall immediately disclose in writing to the CEO the relevant circumstances. Employee represents that Employee is not a party to any other agreement, or under any other duty, which will interfere or conflict with Employee’s full compliance with this Agreement. Employee will not enter into any agreement or undertake any other duty, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.4. Outside Activities. During the Term, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group and will not engage in any other business, profession, or occupation for compensation or otherwise. Employee further agrees not to engage in any other activities which would or might reasonably be expected to cause Employee to use Confidential Information other than in the Company Group’s interest, and Employee acknowledges that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest with the Company Group and a violation of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be permitted to (i) act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member, or principal of any type of professional, civic, or charitable organization; (ii) continue to own or hold, at the same percentage of ownership or holding in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the equity interests set forth on Exhibit A; and (iii) purchase or own less than two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise


Execution Version

 

if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) do not interfere with or otherwise impact Employee’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of Employee’s position(s) with any member of the Company Group, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 1.

1.5. Place of Performance. The principal place of Employee’s employment shall be the Company’s Oklahoma City, Oklahoma location; provided that, Employee may be required to travel on Company Group business during the Term.

1.6. Payroll Entity. The Parties acknowledge that Flogistix LP (“Payroll Entity”) directly employs Employee, and the Company indirectly owns and controls the Payroll Entity (and all other members of the Company Group, except the Parent). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise, the Company directs and controls Employee’s employment under this Agreement and shall cause the Payroll Entity or, if applicable, any other member of the Company Group to honor all obligations undertaken by the Company under this Agreement, including, paying or providing the payments and benefits outlined in this Agreement. The Company may in its discretion, and without the need for amendment to this Agreement, transfer Employee’s direct employment to the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time, and Employee hereby consents to such transfer.

2. Compensation and Benefits

2.1. Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized base salary in the gross amount of $450,000.00 (“Base Salary”), which shall be payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices. The Company may, in its discretion, but shall not be required to, approve adjustments to Employee’s Base Salary from time to time, and if approved, such new amount will become the Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

2.2. Business Expenses. Subject to the Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its similarly situated senior executives, during the Term, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business-related expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group, including reasonable business, travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses.

2.3. Annual Cash Incentive. For the 2025 calendar year and each complete calendar year thereafter during the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 75% of Base Salary (“Target Bonus”), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Section 2.3. As conditions to earning any Annual Bonus, (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4.1, Section 3.4.2.1 and Section 3.4.3(A), Employee must be actively employed by the Company in good standing on the date the Annual Bonus is paid, (ii) the Company’s audited financials for the applicable calendar year must be finalized and approved, and (iii) Employee must be in compliance with all terms of this Agreement. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months after the end of the applicable calendar year. All other terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an Annual Bonus, whether any Annual Bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such Annual Bonus, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For the 2024 calendar year, Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based upon actual performance pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of, the previously approved 2024 bonus plan for Flogistix Holdings, LLC (the “2024 Bonus”).

 

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2.4. Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any equity plan established by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group) for the benefit of similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of any such equity plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by the Board or its designee, in its discretion.

2.5. Benefits. During the Term, Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee’s family, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans, practices and programs, as in effect from time to time, and made available to Employee and/or similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, practice or program. Such benefit plans, practices and programs may include, without limitation, vacation and holiday plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The Company Group reserves the right to modify, add or discontinue any of its existing employee benefit plans, practices or programs, at the Company Group’s sole and absolute discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

3. Termination of Employment

3.1. Reasons for Termination.

3.1.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any further action by either Party.

3.1.2. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause at any time. While the Company is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause, the Company may place the Employee on paid leave and any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.

3.1.3. Termination by Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason at any time.

3.1.4. Termination by Either Party for Convenience. The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time for convenience.

3.2. Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1 (other than a termination on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (each, a “Notice of Termination”) delivered to the other Party in accordance with Section 13.13. The Notice of Termination shall specify the applicable reason for the termination enumerated in Section 3.1.1 through Section 3.1.4 and the applicable Termination Date. If no Termination Date is provided in the Notice of Termination, the Board will determine the Termination Date.

 

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3.3. Effect of Termination for Any Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1, the following provisions shall apply:

3.3.1. Deemed Resignation from all Other Positions. Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions Employee holds as an officer of the Parent or member of the Board (or committee thereof) and any other positions or board seats held by Employee with any other member of the Company Group, including the Company.

3.3.2. Cessation of Benefits. Employee’s eligibility to participate in any of the Company Group’s benefits and plans shall cease effective as of the applicable Termination Date. To the extent that Employee and Employee’s spouse and/or eligible dependents (as applicable) participate in any of the Company Group’s group medical and/or dental plans as of the Termination Date, Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (as applicable) may be eligible to continue such coverage following the Termination Date pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the election of, and the payment of any premiums due with respect to, such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and, except to the extent provided in Section 3.4.2.3 and Section 3.4.3(C), the Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

3.3.3. Receipt of Accrued Amounts. All of Employee’s rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that Employee or Employee’s estate, as applicable, will receive (i) any portion of the Base Salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the Termination Date, which shall be paid as required by applicable law, on or soon after the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement by Employee, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.2 and Company policy, which remain unpaid as of the Termination Date (the sum of the amounts in clauses (i)-(ii), the “Accrued Amounts”).

3.3.4. Equity Awards. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.4. The Company’s Additional Obligations Upon Certain Terminations.

3.4.1. Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated due to Employee’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 3.1.1, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (i) any unpaid Annual Bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (“Unpaid Bonus Payment”); and (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, that Employee would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, which shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, as outlined in Section 2.3, and (B) a fraction where the numerator is equal to the number of days Employee was employed by the Company in the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, and the denominator is equal to 365 (the “Prorated Bonus Payment”). The Prorated Bonus Payment and the Unpaid Bonus Payment shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to

 

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Section 3.1.3, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the benefits outlined below:

3.4.2.1. Unpaid Bonus Payment; Prorated Bonus Payment. A Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executive, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (2 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2.2. Severance Pay. A cash payment equal to the sum of (i) the Base Salary and (ii) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Severance Pay” and together with the COBRA Benefit (defined below), the “Severance Benefits”). The Severance Pay shall be paid to Employee in roughly equal periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided that, the first installment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur following the effective date of the applicable Release Agreement (defined below) (such effective date, the “Release Effective Date” and the date the first installment is paid, the “Initial Payment Date”); provided, further, that the first installment shall include, in addition to the regular installment amount, a lump sum equal to any installment amounts not paid during the period elapsing between the Termination Date and the Initial Payment Date.

3.4.2.3. COBRA Benefit. Provided Employee (on Employee’s own behalf and/or, if applicable, on behalf of Employee’s eligible dependents) timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (”COBRA”), the Company shall pay on Employee’s behalf the monthly COBRA premium associated with such continuation coverage for the period beginning on the first day of the month following the Release Effective Date and ending on the earliest of: (i) the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Release Effective Date; (ii) the date Employee is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Employee receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source (the applicable period, the “COBRA Period” and each such payment, a “COBRA Payment”). The Company will pay each COBRA Payment, if any, directly to the COBRA administrator; provided that Employee first delivers the applicable COBRA invoice to the Company in the manner outlined in Section 13.13; provided, further, that no COBRA Payment will be paid prior to the Release Effective Date. All COBRA Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4.2.3 shall be collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “COBRA Benefit”. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be responsible for the full cost of the monthly COBRA premium associated with any such continuation coverage that becomes due, if any, before or after the COBRA Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if making the payments outlined under this Section 3.4.2.3 would cause a violation of the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the Parties agree to reform this Section 3.4.2.3 in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

3.4.3. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason During the CIC Period. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, in either case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “CIC Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (A) a Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual

 

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bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year; (B) a cash payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (1) the Base Salary and (2) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clause (B) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Pay”), which shall be paid to Employee in the same manner, and subject to the same provisos, as outlined in Section 3.4.2.2 for Severance Pay; and (C) the COBRA Benefit, subject to, and provided in accordance with, the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.4.2.3 (collectively, the foregoing clauses (B) and (C) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Benefits”).

3.5. Conditions to the Company’s Additional Obligations. Employee’s right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, the CIC Severance Benefits or any other recovery under this Agreement is conditioned upon Employee’s (i) execution on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) of a standard separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”), which Release Agreement shall include, among other provisions, a general waiver and release of the Company and all other members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims, including, without limitation, any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with any member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, by either Party for any reason, but excluding all claims to, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits Employee may have under Section 3.4, (ii) non-revocation of the Release Agreement within any time period provided by the Company to do so, and (ii) continued, complete and timely compliance with all terms of this Agreement. Unless Employee executes the Release Agreement prior to the Release Expiration Date, delivers the executed Release Agreement to the Company, and the required revocation period expires without revocation of the Release Agreement by Employee, Employee will not receive, and Employee forfeits any right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits (or any portion thereof). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

3.6. After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, but within the twelve (12) months immediately following the Termination Date, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or otherwise determines that Employee has failed to abide by the terms of this Agreement before or after the Termination Date, or that a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, if known by the Company at that time, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment for Cause, then the Company shall provide notice to Employee and Employee shall promptly return to the Company, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits already provided or paid to Employee, and the Company’s obligation to provide or pay any then remaining, as applicable, Unpaid Bonus Payment, Prorated Bonus Payment, Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits shall cease immediately.

 

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3.7. Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3.4.2.3, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be reduced by compensation Employee earns on account of employment with another employer.

3.8. 280G.

3.8.1. In the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), Employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to have the Payment either (i) paid or delivered in full, or (ii) capped at the amount that is $1 less than three times Employee’s “base amount,” whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable taxes, including federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). Any reduction of the Payment required by this Section 3.8.1 shall be carried out by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Payment (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

3.8.2. All determinations required to be made under Section 3.8 shall be made by the Company’s Independent Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations and documentation both to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make the determinations required under Section 3.8. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or the Accounting Firm declines such representation, Employee shall appoint a certified public accountant at another nationally recognized accounting firm (or, if none is available a lawyer with a nationally recognized law firm or a compensation consultant with a nationally recognized actuarial and benefits consulting firm) with expertise in the area of executive compensation tax law to make the determinations required hereunder (such accountant, lawyer, or consultant, as applicable, shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder), provided that such accounting firm is acceptable to the Company (the Company’s acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Employee’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee absent manifest error.

4. Confidential Information

4.1. Confidential Information and Company Relationships. Employee recognizes that the Company Group has made significant investments of time and resources in establishing substantial relationships with the Company Relationships and developing the Company Group’s reputation and

 

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goodwill. Employee further recognizes that the protection of the Company Group’s proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other Confidential Information is of value to the Company Group, vital to its interests and success, and worthy of the protection provided by Employee in Employee’s promises made in this Agreement. In exchange for Employee’s promises made in this Agreement, the Company agrees to: (i) provide Employee access to certain Confidential Information relating to the Company Business and Company Relationships, as may be relevant to Employee’s position with the Company; and (ii) make available to Employee the benefit of certain Company Relationships, as well as the Company Group’s support, specialized training, association with goodwill, and reputation. Employee acknowledges that Employee will have access to certain Confidential Information, Company Relationships, specialized training, reputation, and association with the Company Group’s goodwill and reputation while employed by the Company.

4.2. Employee Promise Not to Disclose Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that all Confidential Information is confidential, proprietary, not known outside of the Company Group’s business, valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company Group which belongs to the Company Group and gives the Company Group a competitive advantage. Employee further acknowledges that if this Confidential Information were made available to or disclosed to third parties or used by third parties and/or Employee in an unauthorized manner, such access, disclosure, or use would seriously and irreparably damage the Company Group and cause the loss of certain competitive advantages. Employee agrees that Employee is a fiduciary of the Company and will not, directly or indirectly (other than solely in furtherance of the Company Group’s business and interests as specifically authorized and directed by the Company Group) use, disclose, share, publish, or make accessible to any Person any Confidential Information that Employee may obtain or to which Employee may have access. Employee further agrees not to use Confidential Information for Employee’s own personal or commercial use or for the personal or commercial use of any other Person, or any other use in any way detrimental to the Company Group. Employee shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information within Employee’s possession or control, and to protect such information against disclosure, misuse, loss, or theft. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement with regard to any Confidential Information shall continue during and after the Term, until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge, other than as a result of Employee’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with Employee or on Employee’s behalf. Employee’s confidentiality obligations under this Agreement with regard to any of the Company Group’s trade secrets shall continue during and after the Term until such trade secrets are no longer trade secrets under applicable law. Employee understands and acknowledges that the foregoing duties do not apply to Protected Disclosures and Actions.

4.3. Return of Property; Access to Non-Company Devices/Accounts Holding Such Information. Upon request, and in any event, without request upon the applicable Termination Date, Employee shall promptly return to the Company, and cease all access to, all Company Group property in Employee’s possession and control, including property purchased by the Company or reimbursed by the Company Group, whether in electronic or hard copy or other format, whether involving Confidential Information or not, and regardless of location on Company Group equipment, accounts, or premises, or on Employee’s personal equipment, accounts or premises. This property to be returned includes any keys, access cards, credit cards, smartphones, tablets, computer storage media of any kind (flash drives, external drives), or other hardware or software equipment, any communications of any kind regarding Employee’s work on behalf of the Company Group, any of the Company Group records, files, data, accounts, and documents, including any copies. Employee agrees to report to the Company any passwords or other access codes for anything associated with Employee’s employment under this Agreement, whether equipment or accounts or otherwise. Employee represents Employee will not share access, forward, delete, modify, copy, clean, or alter any property, prior to its return to the Company. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may inspect or use computer imaging and forensics to determine if these obligations have been met, and if they have not been met, additional inspection, imaging and searching of any accounts (including

 

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cloud or web-based accounts) or devices or storage locations (including personal ones) used to store or transmit Company Group property or information (whether confidential or not) may be used to locate, retrieve, and remove the Company Group’s property and information. Employee is encouraged to use only Company laptops, devices or accounts for storing, transmitting, and accessing Company Group information or property.

4.4. Protected Disclosures and Actions. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall be construed to prevent, restrict, or impede disclosure of Confidential Information or other information, or any of the other actions outlined below, in each case, in the following circumstances (collectively, the “Protected Disclosures and Actions”):

4.4.1. As provided by the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 28 U.S.C. §1833(b) (the “DTSA”), Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (i) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal or per court order. In the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney(s) and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.2. In connection with Employee’s reporting potential violations of applicable federal, state or local law to any law enforcement or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), or the SEC, or responding to or otherwise participating in any agency’s investigation, lawsuit, or other actions taken by any agency, or taking any other actions protected under applicable law, including but not limited to the Speak Out Act, including disclosure of any alleged unlawful conduct or whistleblower activity or filing any complaint or charge with an agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict Employee from filing a charge or complaint of possible unlawful activity, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with any governmental agency. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.3. In connection with: (i) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful; and/or (ii) any legal action or proceeding in which Employee or the Company seeks to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.4. As may be required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized governmental agency), provided that Employee notifies the Company upon receiving or becoming aware of the legal process in question so that the Company may have the opportunity to respond or seek a protective or other order to restrict or prevent such disclosure, and such disclosure does not exceed the scope of disclosure required by such law, regulation or legal process. This Section 4.4.4 regarding legal process applies to situations not covered by the protections above and does not, in any way, impose prior notice requirements, or restrict or impede Employee from exercising protected rights described above or as provided by law.

 

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5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. Work Product. Employee acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee, individually or jointly with others during the Term and that relate in any way to the Company Business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or any other member of the Company Group or result from any work performed by Employee for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), and all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), and rights in data and databases, (iv) trade secrets, know-how, and other Confidential Information, and (v) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company Group information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information.

5.2. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. Employee acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

5.3. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after the Term, Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (i) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (ii) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits, waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. Employee hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Employee’s behalf in Employee’s name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer

 

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the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Employee does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Employee’s subsequent incapacity.

5.4. Prior Intellectual Property. If Employee has inventions, improvements or discoveries which Employee has made or conceived or first reduced to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, prior to Employee’s employment under this Agreement, and which Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement, Employee shall discuss with the Company, attach a complete and accurate list to Exhibit B of this Agreement, and deliver to the Company upon signing this Agreement. If no such list is attached, then Employee represents there are no exclusions to this Agreement.

6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

6.1. Employee Acknowledgment of Need for Protections and Restrictions Promised; Consideration. Employee acknowledges and understands that Employee’s promises in this Agreement restrict some of Employee’s actions during and after the Term but will not operate to impose an undue hardship upon Employee and will not prevent Employee from supporting Employee’s self after the applicable Termination Date. Employee further acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interests in the Confidential Information and Company Relationships, and Employee has or will receive Confidential Information, Company Relationships, and other sufficient consideration from the Company Group under this Agreement or otherwise to justify such restrictions. Employee understands and agrees that the restrictions in this Agreement shall continue beyond the applicable Termination Date, regardless of the reason for such termination or the Party initiating the termination. Employee acknowledges and understands that the Company would not have hired Employee or provided compensation or incentives in any form to Employee, would not have entered into this Agreement, and would not have shared Confidential Information or Company Relationships with, or provided specialized training to, Employee without Employee’s consent to and continued compliance with the terms in this Agreement. In consideration of Employee’s employment under this Agreement and all benefits to Employee because of that employment, as well as access to Confidential Information, specialized training, Company Relationships, and the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill, Employee voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

6.2. Non-Competition. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period: (i) directly or indirectly invest in, own, manage, operate, finance, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control of any Competitive Business; or (ii) be employed or engaged by, or otherwise associated with, any Competitive Business. The foregoing notwithstanding: (a) during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, Employee’s obligations under this Section 6.2 shall only restrict Employee’s activities insomuch as Employee’s activities and/or the applicable business activities of the Competitive Business (in either case, whether actual or planned) (1) occur at a physical location within the Restricted Territory or (2) are aimed or directed at, target, or reach into the Restricted Territory, regardless of the physical location from which such activities emanate; (b) Employee may own up to two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (c) Employee is not excluded from any role for which there is no possible use of the Confidential Information to provide a business advantage to the Competitive Business.

 

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6.3. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire, retain, do business with, or consult with any Restricted Company Relationship, for the benefit of a Competitive Business; or (ii) in any other manner attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any Restricted Company Relationship to discontinue or materially change, in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, its relationship or business with, or purchases or orders from, the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

6.4. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Service Providers. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire or seek to hire any Restricted Service Provider for a Competitive Business, or (ii) in any other manner, attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any such Restricted Service Provider to terminate, reduce or materially change in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, such Restricted Service Provider’s employment or other business relationship with the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Service Provider in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider.

6.5. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee and the Company agree and acknowledge that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the Company Group’s Confidential Information and other confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, business relationships, and other legitimate business interests, including the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions above are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions in this Agreement to be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

6.6. Tolling. The duration of the Post-Employment Restricted Period and Employee’s obligations during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, as outlined above, shall be tolled and suspended for any period that Employee is in violation of these covenants up to the maximum amount of time permitted under applicable law.

6.7. Modification. If, at the time of enforcement, a court of competent jurisdiction determines that Oklahoma law applies to Employee’s obligations under this Section 6, then the Parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall be modified to comply with Oklahoma law as described in Exhibit C and, as so modified, enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Exhibit C is hereby incorporated by reference into, and made a part of, the terms of this Agreement. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the provisions of this Agreement require further modification to comply with Oklahoma law, then the Parties acknowledge and agree that such court is expressly authorized to do so in accordance with Section 13.5 below.

 

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7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees that Employee shall not, at any time, make, publish or communicate, whether orally, in writing or electronically, to any Person or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements about the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any of such entities’ respective businesses, business practices, or employees or officers. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from making truthful statements that are covered by the Protected Disclosures and Actions or reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

8. Confidentiality of Agreement; Notification to Subsequent Employers. Employee understands and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and Employee shall not disclose, disseminate, or publicize the existence or content of this Agreement to any Person, except (i) for any Protected Disclosure or Action, (ii) to Employee’s spouse, attorney, financial advisor, and government tax authorities, or (iii) as reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. Employee further agrees that, for so long as Employee’s post-employment obligations under this Agreement apply, Employee must inform any prospective employer or other Person with which Employee will be affiliated of such post-employment obligations, before accepting an offer of employment or other engagement. Employee consents to the Company Group providing notification to any of Employee’s actual or potential employers or other business relationships which may potentially interfere with this Agreement, of this Agreement and its terms and conditions.

9. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby designate (i) all members of the Company Group that are not signatories to this Agreement and/or (ii) any successors or assigns as permitted under this Agreement, as intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, having the right to enforce this Agreement, including without limitation, the restrictions protecting the Company Group’s property, Confidential Information, Company Relationships, training, reputation and goodwill.

10. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Employee, and that the Company shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by specific performance and immediate injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all remedies available to the Company at law, under common and statutory law, under other agreements, or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages caused by Employee’s breach, and the return of any payments, equity or other consideration paid or provided to Employee where Employee’s receipt of which was conditioned on compliance with this Agreement. Employee agrees to indemnify each member of the Company Group and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, or expenses including, without limitation, attorney’s fees incurred by any of them, arising out of any breach of, misrepresentation made in, or challenge to the enforceability of, this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company shall be entitled to the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in enforcing this Agreement. Employee’s remedies for breach of this Agreement by the Company are limited to recovery of, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, and/or the CIC Severance Benefits. Employee’s rights to the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are determined by the terms of this Agreement, and Employee may recover attorneys’ fees if allowed by applicable law.

11. Indemnification.

11.1. Indemnification. In the event that Employee is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”) arising out of any act or omission by Employee in Employee’s capacity as a director or

 

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officer of the Parent or any other member of the Company Group, then the Parent or its successors or assigns shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Parent’s organizational documents from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). For the avoidance of doubt, Proceedings arising from any contest or dispute between Employee and any member of the Company Group, including, without limitation, any such Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall not be subject to indemnification.

11.2. D&O Insurance. During the Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, any applicable member of the Company Group or any successor to the Parent shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated senior executives of the Parent or any successor or assign.

 

12.

Definitions. The following terms shall have the stated meaning, whenever used in this Agreement:

12.1. “Cause” means the following acts or omissions by Employee, as judged in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable):

12.1.1. Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Company Group, on the other hand, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.1 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.2. Employee’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any other member of the Company Group that is applicable to Employee and made known to Employee prior to such breach; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.2 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.3. Employee’s breach of any material law applicable to the employment relationship, including any such law with respect to sexual harassment, non-discrimination or non-retaliation;

12.1.4. Employee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under this Agreement;

12.1.5. Any act of fraud or embezzlement by Employee, or material act of theft, in each case, with respect to any member of the Company Group;

12.1.6.  Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or receipt of deferred adjudication for any (i) crime that constitutes a felony or (ii) crime or offense that constitutes a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other conduct involving moral turpitude; or

12.1.7. Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to (i) perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group or (ii) follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.7 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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12.2. “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur after the Effective Date:

12.2.1. a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) or more than one “person” acting as a “group” (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (B)) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, an “person” that, prior to such transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Parent or any Permitted Holder), directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of the securities of the Parent that, together with securities held by such “person” or “group”, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Parent outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

12.2.2. a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent, or similar transaction is consummated, unless the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent immediately before the consummation of such transaction directly or indirectly beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the issuance of equity securities of the Parent and changes to its Board in an IPO (and any related issuance of equity securities of Flowco MergeCo LLC, and reorganization of Flowco MergeCo LLC and changes to its Board) shall not constitute a “Change in Control”; and (ii) only to the extent that compensation herein is subject to Section 409A and would not otherwise comply with Section 409A, a “Change in Control” shall occur only to the extent that the triggering event constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A and the Treasury Department regulations thereunder.

12.3. “Company Business” means (i) the design, development, manufacture, assembly, sale or provision otherwise of (a) compression units utilized in high pressure gas lift, field gathering, traditional gas lift, vapor recovery, and wellhead applications, and (b) surface and downhole equipment utilized in plunger lift, traditional gas lift, plunger-assisted gas lift, and gas-assisted plunger lift applications; and/or (ii) any other business activities engaged in by any member of the Company Group during the Term.

12.4. “Company Relationships” means any Person who is a supplier, vendor, customer, or other business relationship of any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Company Relationships.

12.5. “Competitive Business” means any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) engaged in or planning to become engaged in any business and/or activities that the same as, substantially similar to, or the functional equivalent of, and, in all cases, competitive, in whole or in part, with, the Company Business during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all portions of the Company Business.

 

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12.6. “Confidential Information” means any information about the Company Group that has not been intentionally and with authority disclosed to the public by any member of the Company Group, as applicable, including, without limitation, information pertaining to the Company Group’s trade secrets; methodology and know-how; information concerning the Company Group’s products, product pricing information and programs; product or other costs; future and current business and marketing information and techniques, plans, and business processes; research and development plans and strategies; business opportunities; operations; agreements and their terms; potential transactions and negotiations; inventions, modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes, recipes, raw materials, ingredients, flavors, intellectual property rights of the Company Group; business records; supplier information, including contracts and communications; financial information; accounting records; legal information; sales information; inventory; gross and net profit margins, market share data, finances, budgets, forecasts, projections, financial statements, and indebtedness; software utilized in operations; information concerning employees, partners, and contractors including identities, contact information, compensation, training, or other terms of engagement and performance; investor information; legal, regulatory, compliance, administrative, and management information; and information regarding past, current, and potential customers, including communications, customer lists, customer history, customer product information, customer contract information, contract negotiation information and terms, contact information for customers, and customer issues, requests, preferences and needs. Confidential Information spans any relationship or engagement between the Parties, before or after the date of this Agreement.

12.7. “Current and Former Company Relationship” means any Person who is a Company Relationship at any time during the Look-Back Period.

12.8. “Disability” means a condition that entitles Employee to receive long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if there is no such plan, Employee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for 180 days out of any 365 day period or 120 consecutive days; provided, however, in the event that the Company temporarily replaces Employee, or transfers Employee’s duties or responsibilities to another individual on account of Employee’s inability to perform such duties due to a mental or physical incapacity which is, or is reasonably expected to become, a Disability, then Employee’s employment shall not be deemed terminated by the Company. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer.

12.9. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Employee’s written consent:

12.9.1. a relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment, as described in Section 1.5, by more than 30 miles.

12.9.2. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

12.9.3. a material, adverse change in the Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Employee is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of the grounds for such Good Reason termination within thirty (30) days of the first occurrence of such grounds and such grounds must remain uncured by the Company for sixty (60) days after Employee

 

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first provided the Board written notice of the obligation to cure such grounds; provided, further, that Employee must terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason within 120 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds or Employee will be deemed to have waived the right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

12.10. “IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities of a Parent pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC.

12.11. “Look-Back Period” means the most recent twelve-(12) month period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, including, if Employee’s employment under this Agreement has ended, the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.

12.12. “Parent” means as of the date of this Agreement, Flowco MergeCo LLC, and following the consummation of an IPO and issuance of a managing member interest in Flowco MergeCo LLC to Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco Holdings Inc.

12.13. “Permitted Holder” means Jonathan B. Fairbanks, GEC Advisors LLC, White Deer Management, LLC, and any of their respective Affiliates.

12.14. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

12.15. “Post-Employment Restricted Period” means the period commencing on the Termination Date and continuing until the expiration of (i) twenty-four (24) months, or (ii) in the event Employee is entitled to receive the Severance Benefits outlined in Section 3.4.2, twelve (12) months.

12.16. “Prospective Company Relationship” means any Person who is actively and materially contacted or solicited (directly or indirectly), at any time during the Look-Back Period, by any member of the Company Group for the purpose of becoming a Company Relationship of such member of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Prospective Company Relationships.

12.17. “Restricted Company Relationship” means all Current and Former Company Relationships and Prospective Company Relationships.

12.18. “Restricted Service Provider” means any Person who is a Service Provider at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Service Providers.

12.19. “Restricted Territory” means any metropolitan markets in the United States in which the Company Group conducts business or has taken active steps to conduct business, in each case, at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all of the Restricted Territory.

12.20. “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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12.21. “Service Provider” means any Person who is employed by or engaged to perform personal services as an independent contractor or consultant for any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term.

12.22. “Termination Date” means:

12.22.1. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s death, the date of Employee’s death;

12.22.2. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s Disability, the date the Disability determination is made or, if later, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.3. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.4. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for convenience, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that the Company shall have the option to waive all or any portion of such notice period by giving written notice to Employee, provided, further, that, in lieu of the portion of the notice period so waived, the Company provides Employee with a payment equal to the Base Salary prorated based upon the number of days of the notice period so waived, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date specified in written notice of waiver from the Company;

12.22.5. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee for convenience, the date specified in Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the thirty (30)-day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to Employee and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company;

12.22.6. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee with Good Reason, the date specified in the Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date on which the grounds giving rise to such termination for Good Reason first occurred.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1. Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiation of the Agreement. The Company shall reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee, all reasonable legal fees incurred in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00).

13.2. Withholding of Taxes and Other Items. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, as well as any other authorized deduction or withholding or other amounts owed by Employee to the Company Group. Furthermore, should Employee owe the Company any amount as of or following the Termination Date, Employee hereby authorizes the Company to deduct the amount owed by Employee from, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Pay, the CIC Severance Pay, and/or any other amounts otherwise owed to Employee by the Company.

 

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13.3. Representations; Entire Agreement. Employee acknowledges that Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement. Employee has carefully read and fully understands all of the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, this Agreement is not the entire agreement and instead supplements and does not replace any obligations owed by Employee to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under existing agreements or applicable law regarding non-disparagement, confidentiality, non-disclosure, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, tortious interference, non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-interference.

13.4. No Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company to declare a default on the occurrence of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee or to require strict compliance with any term of the Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any current or subsequent breach or non-compliance by Employee. Any waiver by the Company must be agreed to in writing by an authorized representative of the Company. No waiver by the Company of any breach by Employee of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by Employee shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

13.5. Severability; Modification; Amendment. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable and thus stricken, or shall only be enforceable if modified, then such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the Parties with any such modification to become a part of the Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing or striking such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as such court deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement, as so modified by the court, shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement. Other than any court modification or severance provided for in this Section 13.5, this Agreement may be amended only if in writing and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

13.6. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

13.7. Successors and Assigns; Assignability. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. Employee’s obligations are personal in nature and Employee shall not assign or transfer any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and Employee’s

 

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employment under this Agreement and/or the rights and/or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any other member of the Company Group or any successor in the event of a Change in Control or any other transfer or sale of all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of the Company Group, and in any such event, all references to “the Company” in this Agreement shall then be deemed to refer to any such member of the Company Group or successor entity. Employee hereby consents to any permitted transfer or assignment, as provided under this Section 13.7 or Section 1.6.

13.8. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Harris County, Texas. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

13.9. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed via electronic means, and such execution shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

13.10. Titles and Headings; No Construction against Drafter. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No terms of this Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the primary drafter.

13.11. Survival. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, other than those outlined in Section 1 and Section 2, and any provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, continue to apply following, and survive, in each case, (i) any actual or alleged breach of this Agreement by either Party, (ii) the termination of this Agreement, and (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, regardless of the reason for, or Party initiating, any such employment termination.

13.12. Section 409A.

13.12.1. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to Employee. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the provisions of Section 13.12 regarding Section 409A shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

13.12.2. Payments and benefits paid or provided under this Agreement upon the termination of Employee’s employment, by either Party and for any reason, that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A shall be paid or provided only at the time of any such employment termination that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

13.12.3. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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13.12.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Employee, and (ii) the date of Employee’s death, to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to Section 13.12 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

13.12.5. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Employee’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

13.12.6. In the event that Employee is required to execute a release to receive any payments from the Company that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following the applicable Termination Date. Any payments that are suspended during the sixty (60) day period shall be paid on the date the first regular payroll is made immediately following the end of such period.

13.12.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

13.12.8. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with Employee, reform such provision to attempt to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Employee by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

 

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13.13. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement must be in writing by a method of delivery that provides for a receipt, and shall be considered duly delivered on the date so provided in such receipt if sent to or made at the addresses listed below, as applicable:

If to Employee: The address specified beneath Employee’s signature line on this Agreement.

 

If to the Company:   

Flowco MasterCo LLC

Attn: Joe Bob Edwards

1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 450

Houston, Texas 77056

jedwards@flowgistix.com

Notice of change in address should be provided as stated in this Section 13.13

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING EXHIBIT C, AND THAT EACH PARTY VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

Executed this 30th day of October, 2024.

 

Employee:    Mims Talton
Signature:    /s/ Mims Talton
Address:    1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 450
   Houston, Texas 77056

Executed this 30th day of October, 2024.

 

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC   
By: /s/ Joe Bob Edwards    Joe Bob Edwards
Company Representative Signature    Company Representative Printed Name

 

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Exhibit A

Certain Permitted Activities


Execution Version

 

Exhibit B

Prior Inventions

[If blank below this line then none were disclosed]


Execution Version

 

Exhibit C

Oklahoma Law Modifications

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6.2 and Section 13.8, the prohibition against non-competition outlined in Section 6.2 shall not apply to Employee during the Post-Employment Restricted Period. To the extent deemed necessary, Section 6.2 shall be modified by deleting the phrase, “and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period,” from the first sentence of Section 6.2. Section 6.2, as so modified, shall be enforced against Employee, if applicable, and to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The non-solicitation provision outlined in Section 6.3 shall be deleted and replaced in full by the following provision:

6.3 Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), directly solicit the sale of goods, services or a combination of goods and services from any Restricted Company Relationship (collectively, “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

The definition of “Restricted Company Relationship” outlined in Section 12.17 shall be deleted and replaced in full by the following definition:

12.17 “Restricted Company Relationship” means any Person who is a customer of the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time during the Look-Back Period and, at the time of enforcement, such customer relationship is ongoing and anticipated to continue in the future. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP of Natural Gas Technologies, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all customers of the Company and any other member of the Company Group.

Exhibit 10.13

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between John Gatlin (“Employee”) and Flowco MasterCo, LLC (the “Company,” and together with the Parent (as defined herein) and the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, the “Company Group”), effective as of November 26, 2024 (the “Effective Date”). Employee and the Company may sometimes be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

1. Employment and Duties

1.1. Term. Employee’s employment is governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the applicable Termination Date. The period between the Effective Date and the Termination Date shall be referred to as the “Term”.

1.2. Duties of Employment. During the Term, Employee will be employed to provide full-time services as the Executive Vice President (“EVP”) and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Parent. Employee shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Parent. Employee agrees to perform diligently and to the best of Employee’s abilities the duties and services consistent with and normally incidental to any position Employee holds, as well as any related or additional duties as may be assigned to Employee by the Parent from time to time. The Employee shall, if requested, also serve as an officer or director of any other member of the Company Group (including the Parent), as may be requested by the Company, the Parent or the Board of Managers or Board of Manager, as applicable, of the Parent (in either case, the “Board”) from time to time, for no additional compensation.

1.3. Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, at all times during the Term, Employee owes fiduciary duties to the Company Group including but not limited to, duties of loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance, and to always act in the best interest of the Company Group, and in compliance with all applicable laws and policies and agreements of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, following the Termination Date, Employee shall continue to refrain from using for Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of others, or from disclosing to others, any information or opportunities pertaining to the Company Group’s businesses or interests that were entrusted to Employee. Employee agrees to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest, such as any circumstances where Employee has a personal, financial or business interest which conflicts with or interferes with the Company Group’s interests. Upon becoming aware of any actual or potential conflict of interest, Employee shall immediately disclose in writing to the CEO the relevant circumstances. Employee represents that Employee is not a party to any other agreement, or under any other duty, which will interfere or conflict with Employee’s full compliance with this Agreement. Employee will not enter into any agreement or undertake any other duty, whether written or oral, in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.4. Outside Activities. During the Term, Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time and attention to the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group and will not engage in any other business, profession, or occupation for compensation or otherwise. Employee further agrees not to engage in any other activities which would or might reasonably be expected to cause Employee to use Confidential Information other than in the Company Group’s interest, and Employee acknowledges that doing so would constitute a conflict of interest with the Company Group and a violation of Employee’s obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee will be permitted to (i) act or serve as a director, trustee, committee member, or principal of any type of professional, civic, or charitable organization; (ii) engage in such other activities, including, service as an advisor to or director of a board or other governing body, as elected by Employee, provided that, Employee first discloses any such activity, in writing, to, and obtains prior written approval from, the CEO;


(iii) continue to engage in those activities, and continue to own or hold, at the same percentage of ownership or holding in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, the equity interests, in each case, set forth on Exhibit A; and (iv) purchase or own less than two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that, such ownership represents a passive investment and that Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation; provided further that, the activities and interests described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) do not interfere with or otherwise impact Employee’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of Employee’s position(s) with any member of the Company Group, including, but not limited to, the obligations set forth in Section 1.

1.5. Place of Performance. The principal place of Employee’s employment shall be the Houston, Texas location; provided that, Employee may be required to travel on Company Group business during the Term.

1.6. Payroll Entity. The Parties acknowledge that Estis Compression LLC (“Payroll Entity”) directly employs Employee, and the Company indirectly owns and controls the Payroll Entity (and all other members of the Company Group, except the Parent). The Parties further acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise, the Company directs and controls Employee’s employment under this Agreement and shall cause the Payroll Entity or, if applicable, any other member of the Company Group to honor all obligations undertaken by the Company under this Agreement, including, paying or providing the payments and benefits outlined in this Agreement. The Company may in its discretion, and without the need for amendment to this Agreement, transfer Employee’s direct employment to the Company or any other member of the Company Group at any time, and Employee hereby consents to such transfer.

2. Compensation and Benefits

2.1. Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Employee an annualized base salary in the gross amount of $500,000.00 (“Base Salary”), which shall be payable in substantially equal installments in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices. The Company may, in its discretion, but shall not be required to, approve adjustments to Employee’s Base Salary from time to time, and if approved, such new amount will become the Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

2.2. Business Expenses. Subject to the Company’s standard policies and procedures with respect to expense reimbursement as applied to its similarly situated senior executives, during the Term, the Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business-related expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group, including reasonable business, travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses.

2.3. Annual Cash Incentive. For the 2025 calendar year and each complete calendar year thereafter during the Term, Employee shall be eligible to receive a discretionary, annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 85% of Base Salary (“Target Bonus”), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this Section 2.3. As conditions to earning any Annual Bonus, (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.4.1, Section 3.4.2.1 and Section 3.4.3(A), Employee must be actively employed by the Company in good standing on the date the Annual Bonus is paid, (ii) the Company’s audited financials for the applicable calendar year must be finalized and approved, and (iii) Employee must be in compliance with all terms of this Agreement. The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid within three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months after the end of the applicable calendar year. All other terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, including, without limitation, the criteria for earning an Annual Bonus, whether any Annual Bonus will be paid and, if paid, the amount of any such Annual Bonus, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. For the 2024 calendar year, Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based upon actual performance pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of, the previously approved 2024 bonus plan for GEC Estis Holdings, LLC (the “2024 Bonus”).

 

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2.4. Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in any equity plan established by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group) for the benefit of similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of any such equity plan and the applicable award agreement, as determined by the Board or its designee, in its discretion.

2.5. Benefits. During the Term, Employee and, to the extent applicable, Employee’s family, dependents, and beneficiaries, shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefits plans, practices and programs, as in effect from time to time, and made available to Employee and/or similarly situated senior executives of the Company, subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, practice or program. Such benefit plans, practices and programs may include, without limitation, vacation and holiday plans, health insurance or health care plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The Company Group reserves the right to modify, add or discontinue any of its existing employee benefit plans, practices or programs, at the Company Group’s sole and absolute discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

3. Termination of Employment

3.1. Reasons for Termination.

3.1.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. Upon the death or Disability of Employee, this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any further action by either Party.

3.1.2. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Cause at any time. While the Company is determining whether there is a basis to terminate the Employee’s employment for Cause, the Company may place the Employee on paid leave and any such action by the Company will not constitute Good Reason.

3.1.3. Termination by Employee for Good Reason. Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason at any time.

3.1.4. Termination by Either Party for Convenience. The Company or Employee may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time for convenience.

3.2. Notice of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1 (other than a termination on account of Employee’s death) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (each, a “Notice of Termination”) delivered to the other Party in accordance with Section 13.13. The Notice of Termination shall specify the applicable reason for the termination enumerated in Section 3.1.1 through Section 3.1.4 and the applicable Termination Date. If no Termination Date is provided in the Notice of Termination, the Board will determine the Termination Date.

 

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3.3. Effect of Termination for Any Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by either Party for any reason enumerated under Section 3.1, the following provisions shall apply:

3.3.1. Deemed Resignation from all Other Positions. Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions Employee holds as an officer of the Parent or member of the Board (or committee thereof) and any other positions or board seats held by Employee with any other member of the Company Group, including the Company.

3.3.2. Cessation of Benefits. Employee’s eligibility to participate in any of the Company Group’s benefits and plans shall cease effective as of the applicable Termination Date. To the extent that Employee and Employee’s spouse and/or eligible dependents (as applicable) participate in any of the Company Group’s group medical and/or dental plans as of the Termination Date, Employee and Employee’s spouse and eligible dependents (as applicable) may be eligible to continue such coverage following the Termination Date pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the election of, and the payment of any premiums due with respect to, such COBRA continuation coverage shall remain Employee’s sole responsibility, and, except to the extent provided in Section 3.4.2.3 and Section 3.4.3(C), the Company shall not assume any obligation for payment of any such premiums relating to such COBRA continuation coverage.

3.3.3. Receipt of Accrued Amounts. All of Employee’s rights and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that Employee or Employee’s estate, as applicable, will receive (i) any portion of the Base Salary and any vacation or paid time off, as applicable, that has been earned, but remains unpaid, in each case, as of the Termination Date, which shall be paid as required by applicable law, on or soon after the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred and submitted for reimbursement by Employee, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.2 and Company policy, which remain unpaid as of the Termination Date (the sum of the amounts in clauses (i)-(ii), the “Accrued Amounts”).

3.3.4. Equity Awards. The treatment of any outstanding equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.4. The Company’s Additional Obligations Upon Certain Terminations.

3.4.1. Termination Upon Death or Disability. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated due to Employee’s death or Disability pursuant to Section 3.1.1, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (i) any unpaid Annual Bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (“Unpaid Bonus Payment”); and (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, that Employee would have earned for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs based upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions applicable to the Annual Bonus, which shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, as outlined in Section 2.3, and (B) a fraction where the numerator is equal to the number of days Employee was employed by the Company in the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, and the denominator is equal to 365 (the “Prorated Bonus Payment”). The Prorated Bonus Payment and the Unpaid Bonus Payment shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

 

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3.4.2. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the benefits outlined below:

3.4.2.1. Unpaid Bonus Payment; Prorated Bonus Payment. A Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.4.2.2. Severance Pay. A cash payment equal to the sum of (i) the Base Salary and (ii) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Severance Pay” and together with the COBRA Benefit (defined below), the “Severance Benefits”). The Severance Pay shall be paid to Employee in roughly equal periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices over a period of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date; provided that, the first installment shall not be paid until the first regularly scheduled payroll date to occur following the effective date of the applicable Release Agreement (defined below) (such effective date, the “Release Effective Date” and the date the first installment is paid, the “Initial Payment Date”); provided, further, that the first installment shall include, in addition to the regular installment amount, a lump sum equal to any installment amounts not paid during the period elapsing between the Termination Date and the Initial Payment Date.

3.4.2.3. COBRA Benefit. Provided Employee (on Employee’s own behalf and/or, if applicable, on behalf of Employee’s eligible dependents) timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (”COBRA”), the Company shall pay on Employee’s behalf the monthly COBRA premium associated with such continuation coverage for the period beginning on the first day of the month following the Release Effective Date and ending on the earliest of: (i) the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Release Effective Date; (ii) the date Employee is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Employee receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source (the applicable period, the “COBRA Period” and each such payment, a “COBRA Payment”). The Company will pay each COBRA Payment, if any, directly to the COBRA administrator; provided that Employee first delivers the applicable COBRA invoice to the Company in the manner outlined in Section 13.13; provided, further, that no COBRA Payment will be paid prior to the Release Effective Date. All COBRA Payments made by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.4.2.3 shall be collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “COBRA Benefit”. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be responsible for the full cost of the monthly COBRA premium associated with any such continuation coverage that becomes due, if any, before or after the COBRA Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if making the payments outlined under this Section 3.4.2.3 would cause a violation of the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the Parties agree to reform this Section 3.4.2.3 in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

 

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3.4.3. Termination by the Company for Convenience or Employee for Good Reason During the CIC Period. In the event this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by (i) the Company for convenience pursuant to Section 3.1.4 or (ii) Employee for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3.1.3, in either case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “CIC Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.5, Employee will receive, in addition to the Accrued Amounts: (A) a Prorated Bonus Payment and an Unpaid Bonus Payment, which shall be paid to Employee, if at all, in the same manner and at the same time as annual bonuses for the applicable calendar year are otherwise paid to similarly situated senior executives, but in no event later than three-and-one-half (3 1/2) months following the end of, respectively, the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs and the immediately preceding calendar year; (B) a cash payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (1) the Base Salary and (2) an Annual Bonus payment equal to the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs (collectively, the amounts described in the foregoing clause (B) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Pay”), which shall be paid to Employee in the same manner, and subject to the same provisos, as outlined in Section 3.4.2.2 for Severance Pay; and (C) the COBRA Benefit, subject to, and provided in accordance with, the terms and conditions outlined in Section 3.4.2.3 (collectively, the foregoing clauses (B) and (C) are referred to as the “CIC Severance Benefits”).

3.5. Conditions to the Company’s Additional Obligations. Employee’s right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, the CIC Severance Benefits or any other recovery under this Agreement is conditioned upon Employee’s (i) execution on or before the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) of a standard separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”), which Release Agreement shall include, among other provisions, a general waiver and release of the Company and all other members of the Company Group and their respective affiliates, and the foregoing entities’ respective shareholders, members, partners, officers, managers, directors, fiduciaries, employees, representatives, agents and benefit plans (and fiduciaries of such plans) from any and all claims, including, without limitation, any and all causes of action arising out of Employee’s employment with any member of the Company Group or the termination of such employment, by either Party for any reason, but excluding all claims to, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits Employee may have under Section 3.4, (ii) non-revocation of the Release Agreement within any time period provided by the Company to do so, and (ii) continued, complete and timely compliance with all terms of this Agreement. Unless Employee executes the Release Agreement prior to the Release Expiration Date, delivers the executed Release Agreement to the Company, and the required revocation period expires without revocation of the Release Agreement by Employee, Employee will not receive, and Employee forfeits any right to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and the CIC Severance Benefits (or any portion thereof). As used herein, the “Release Expiration Date” is that date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company delivers the Release to Employee (which shall occur no later than seven (7) days after the Termination Date) or, in the event that such termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date.

3.6. After-Acquired Evidence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that Employee is eligible to receive, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, but within the twelve (12) months immediately following the Termination Date, the Company subsequently acquires evidence or otherwise determines that Employee has failed to abide by the terms of this Agreement before or after the Termination Date, or that a Cause condition existed prior to the Termination Date that, if known by the Company at that time, would have given the Company the right to terminate Employee’s employment for

 

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Cause, then the Company shall provide notice to Employee and Employee shall promptly return to the Company, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits already provided or paid to Employee, and the Company’s obligation to provide or pay any then remaining, as applicable, Unpaid Bonus Payment, Prorated Bonus Payment, Severance Benefits or CIC Severance Benefits shall cease immediately.

3.7. Mitigation. In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 3.4.2.3, amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 shall not be reduced by compensation Employee earns on account of employment with another employer.

3.8. 280G.

3.8.1. In the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), Employee would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Employee shall be entitled to have the Payment either (i) paid or delivered in full, or (ii) capped at the amount that is $1 less than three times Employee’s “base amount,” whichever of the foregoing results in the receipt by Employee of the greatest benefit on an after-tax basis (taking into account applicable taxes, including federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax). Any reduction of the Payment required by this Section 3.8.1 shall be carried out by applying the following principles, in order: (A) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (B) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (C) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payments or benefits included in the Payment (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments).

3.8.2. All determinations required to be made under Section 3.8 shall be made by the Company’s Independent Public Accounting Firm (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations and documentation both to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make the determinations required under Section 3.8. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, or the Accounting Firm declines such representation, Employee shall appoint a certified public accountant at another nationally recognized accounting firm (or, if none is available a lawyer with a nationally recognized law firm or a compensation consultant with a nationally recognized actuarial and benefits consulting firm) with expertise in the area of executive compensation tax law to make the determinations required hereunder (such accountant, lawyer, or consultant, as applicable, shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder), provided that such accounting firm is acceptable to the Company (the Company’s acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee, it shall furnish Employee with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Employee’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee absent manifest error.

 

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4. Confidential Information

4.1. Confidential Information and Company Relationships. Employee recognizes that the Company Group has made significant investments of time and resources in establishing substantial relationships with the Company Relationships and developing the Company Group’s reputation and goodwill. Employee further recognizes that the protection of the Company Group’s proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other Confidential Information is of value to the Company Group, vital to its interests and success, and worthy of the protection provided by Employee in Employee’s promises made in this Agreement. In exchange for Employee’s promises made in this Agreement, the Company agrees to: (i) provide Employee access to certain Confidential Information relating to the Company Business and Company Relationships, as may be relevant to Employee’s position with the Company; and (ii) make available to Employee the benefit of certain Company Relationships, as well as the Company Group’s support, specialized training, association with goodwill, and reputation. Employee acknowledges that Employee will have access to certain Confidential Information, Company Relationships, specialized training, reputation, and association with the Company Group’s goodwill and reputation while employed by the Company.

4.2. Employee Promise Not to Disclose Confidential Information. Employee acknowledges that all Confidential Information is confidential, proprietary, not known outside of the Company Group’s business, valuable, special and/or a unique asset of the Company Group which belongs to the Company Group and gives the Company Group a competitive advantage. Employee further acknowledges that if this Confidential Information were made available to or disclosed to third parties or used by third parties and/or Employee in an unauthorized manner, such access, disclosure, or use would seriously and irreparably damage the Company Group and cause the loss of certain competitive advantages. Employee agrees that Employee is a fiduciary of the Company and will not, directly or indirectly (other than solely in furtherance of the Company Group’s business and interests as specifically authorized and directed by the Company Group) use, disclose, share, publish, or make accessible to any Person any Confidential Information that Employee may obtain or to which Employee may have access. Employee further agrees not to use Confidential Information for Employee’s own personal or commercial use or for the personal or commercial use of any other Person, or any other use in any way detrimental to the Company Group. Employee shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard Confidential Information within Employee’s possession or control, and to protect such information against disclosure, misuse, loss, or theft. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement with regard to any Confidential Information shall continue during and after the Term, until such time as such Confidential Information has become public knowledge, other than as a result of Employee’s breach of this Agreement or breach by those acting in concert with Employee or on Employee’s behalf. Employee’s confidentiality obligations under this Agreement with regard to any of the Company Group’s trade secrets shall continue during and after the Term until such trade secrets are no longer trade secrets under applicable law. Employee understands and acknowledges that the foregoing duties do not apply to Protected Disclosures and Actions.

4.3. Return of Property; Access to Non-Company Devices/Accounts Holding Such Information. Upon request, and in any event, without request upon the applicable Termination Date, Employee shall promptly return to the Company, and cease all access to, all Company Group property in Employee’s possession and control, including property purchased by the Company or reimbursed by the Company Group, whether in electronic or hard copy or other format, whether involving Confidential Information or not, and regardless of location on Company Group equipment, accounts, or premises, or on Employee’s personal equipment, accounts or premises. This property to be returned includes any keys, access cards, credit cards, smartphones, tablets, computer storage media of any kind (flash drives, external drives), or other hardware or software equipment, any communications of any kind regarding Employee’s work on behalf of the Company Group, any of the Company Group records, files, data, accounts, and documents, including any copies. Employee agrees to report to the Company any passwords or other access

 

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codes for anything associated with Employee’s employment under this Agreement, whether equipment or accounts or otherwise. Employee represents Employee will not share access, forward, delete, modify, copy, clean, or alter any property, prior to its return to the Company. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company may inspect or use computer imaging and forensics to determine if these obligations have been met, and if they have not been met, additional inspection, imaging and searching of any accounts (including cloud or web-based accounts) or devices or storage locations (including personal ones) used to store or transmit Company Group property or information (whether confidential or not) may be used to locate, retrieve, and remove the Company Group’s property and information. Employee is encouraged to use only Company laptops, devices or accounts for storing, transmitting, and accessing Company Group information or property.

4.4. Protected Disclosures and Actions. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement or policy of the Company or any other member of the Company Group shall be construed to prevent, restrict, or impede disclosure of Confidential Information or other information, or any of the other actions outlined below, in each case, in the following circumstances (collectively, the “Protected Disclosures and Actions”):

4.4.1. As provided by the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 28 U.S.C. §1833(b) (the “DTSA”), Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is: (i) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal or per court order. In the event Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Employee’s attorney(s) and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.2. In connection with Employee’s reporting potential violations of applicable federal, state or local law to any law enforcement or governmental agency, including but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”), or the SEC, or responding to or otherwise participating in any agency’s investigation, lawsuit, or other actions taken by any agency, or taking any other actions protected under applicable law, including but not limited to the Speak Out Act, including disclosure of any alleged unlawful conduct or whistleblower activity or filing any complaint or charge with an agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or restrict Employee from filing a charge or complaint of possible unlawful activity, including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement, with any governmental agency. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.3. In connection with: (i) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Employee has reason to believe is unlawful; and/or (ii) any legal action or proceeding in which Employee or the Company seeks to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement. No prior notice or disclosure to the Company is required for these actions.

4.4.4. As may be required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a valid legal process (e.g., a subpoena, order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized governmental agency), provided that Employee notifies the Company upon receiving or becoming aware of the legal process in question so that the Company may have the opportunity to respond or seek a protective or other order to restrict or prevent such disclosure, and such disclosure does not exceed the scope of disclosure required by such law, regulation or legal process. This Section 4.4.4 regarding legal process applies to situations not covered by the protections above and does not, in any way, impose prior notice requirements, or restrict or impede Employee from exercising protected rights described above or as provided by law.

 

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5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. Work Product. Employee acknowledges and agrees that all right, title, and interest in and to all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, processes, techniques, methods, ideas, concepts, research, proposals, materials, and all other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Employee, individually or jointly with others during the Term and that relate in any way to the Company Business or contemplated business, products, activities, research, or development of the Company or any other member of the Company Group or result from any work performed by Employee for the Company (in each case, regardless of when or where prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same), and all rights and claims related to the foregoing, and all printed, physical and electronic copies, and other tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to US and foreign (i) patents, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or not), (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, corporate names, and domain names, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including computer programs), and rights in data and databases, (iv) trade secrets, know-how, and other Confidential Information, and (v) all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals and extensions of, such rights, all improvements thereto and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Work Product includes, but is not limited to, Company Group information, including plans, publications, research, strategies, techniques, agreements, documents, contracts, terms of agreements, negotiations, know-how, computer programs, computer applications, software design, web design, work in process, databases, manuals, results, developments, reports, graphics, drawings, sketches, market studies, formulae, notes, communications, algorithms, product plans, product designs, styles, models, audiovisual programs, inventions, unpublished patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries, experimental processes, experimental results, specifications, customer information, client information, customer lists, client lists, manufacturing information, marketing information, advertising information, and sales information.

5.2. Work Made for Hire; Assignment. Employee acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by the Company at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by the Company. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Employee hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company, for no additional consideration, Employee’s entire right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim, and recover for all past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit the Company’s rights, title, or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights to be less in any respect than that the Company would have had in the absence of this Agreement.

5.3. Further Assurances; Power of Attorney. During and after the Term, Employee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company to (i) apply for, obtain, perfect, and transfer to the Company the Work Product as well as any and all Intellectual Property Rights in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (ii) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, giving testimony and executing and delivering to the Company any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits,

 

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waivers, assignments, and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by the Company. Employee hereby irrevocably grants the Company power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Employee’s behalf in Employee’s name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to the Company and further the transfer, prosecution, issuance, and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Employee does not promptly cooperate with the Company’s request (without limiting the rights the Company shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Employee’s subsequent incapacity.

5.4. Prior Intellectual Property. If Employee has inventions, improvements or discoveries which Employee has made or conceived or first reduced to practice, whether alone or jointly with others, prior to Employee’s employment under this Agreement, and which Employee wishes to exclude from this Agreement, Employee shall discuss with the Company, attach a complete and accurate list to Exhibit B of this Agreement, and deliver to the Company upon signing this Agreement. If no such list is attached, then Employee represents there are no exclusions to this Agreement.

6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation

6.1. Employee Acknowledgment of Need for Protections and Restrictions Promised; Consideration. Employee acknowledges and understands that Employee’s promises in this Agreement restrict some of Employee’s actions during and after the Term but will not operate to impose an undue hardship upon Employee and will not prevent Employee from supporting Employee’s self after the applicable Termination Date. Employee further acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company Group’s legitimate business interests in the Confidential Information and Company Relationships, and Employee has or will receive Confidential Information, Company Relationships, and other sufficient consideration from the Company Group under this Agreement or otherwise to justify such restrictions. Employee understands and agrees that the restrictions in this Agreement shall continue beyond the applicable Termination Date, regardless of the reason for such termination or the Party initiating the termination. Employee acknowledges and understands that the Company would not have hired Employee or provided compensation or incentives in any form to Employee, would not have entered into this Agreement, and would not have shared Confidential Information or Company Relationships with, or provided specialized training to, Employee without Employee’s consent to and continued compliance with the terms in this Agreement. In consideration of Employee’s employment under this Agreement and all benefits to Employee because of that employment, as well as access to Confidential Information, specialized training, Company Relationships, and the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill, Employee voluntarily agrees to the covenants set forth in this Agreement.

6.2. Non-Competition. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period: (i) directly or indirectly invest in, own, manage, operate, finance, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control of any Competitive Business; or (ii) be employed or engaged by, or otherwise associated with, any Competitive Business. The foregoing notwithstanding: (a) during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, Employee’s obligations under this Section 6.2 shall only restrict Employee’s activities insomuch as Employee’s activities and/or the applicable business activities of the Competitive Business (in either case, whether actual or planned) (1) occur at a physical location within the Restricted Territory or (2) are aimed or directed at, target, or reach into the Restricted Territory, regardless of the physical location from which such activities emanate; (b) Employee may own up to two percent (2%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act; and (c) Employee is not excluded from any role for which there is no possible use of the Confidential Information to provide a business advantage to the Competitive Business.

 

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6.3. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Company Relationships. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire, retain, do business with, or consult with any Restricted Company Relationship, for the benefit of a Competitive Business; or (ii) in any other manner attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any Restricted Company Relationship to discontinue or materially change, in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, its relationship or business with, or purchases or orders from, the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Company Relationship in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Company Relationship.

6.4. Non-Solicitation of Restricted Service Providers. Employee agrees that Employee will not, and will not attempt to, at any time during the Term and thereafter during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, on behalf of any Person (other than any member of the Company Group), in any capacity (with or without compensation), either directly or through others: (i) solicit, hire or seek to hire any Restricted Service Provider for a Competitive Business, or (ii) in any other manner, attempt to influence, induce, or encourage any such Restricted Service Provider to terminate, reduce or materially change in a manner adverse to the applicable member of the Company Group, such Restricted Service Provider’s employment or other business relationship with the applicable member of the Company Group (collectively, the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as “Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider”). Employee further agrees not to use or disclose to any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) any contact information, including the names, addresses, and work or personal telephone numbers, for any Restricted Service Provider in association with or in furtherance of any Prohibited Solicitation of a Restricted Service Provider.

6.5. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee and the Company agree and acknowledge that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the purposes of preserving and protecting the Company Group’s Confidential Information and other confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, business relationships, and other legitimate business interests, including the Company Group’s reputation and associated goodwill. Nevertheless, if any of the restrictions above are found by a court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable, over broad as to geographic area or time or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions in this Agreement to be modified by such court so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified by the court, to be fully enforced.

6.6. Tolling. The duration of the Post-Employment Restricted Period and Employee’s obligations during the Post-Employment Restricted Period, as outlined above, shall be tolled and suspended for any period that Employee is in violation of these covenants up to the maximum amount of time permitted under applicable law.

7. Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees that Employee shall not, at any time, make, publish or communicate, whether orally, in writing or electronically, to any Person or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements about the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any of such entities’ respective businesses, business practices, or employees or officers. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from making truthful statements that are covered by the Protected Disclosures and Actions or reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

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8. Confidentiality of Agreement; Notification to Subsequent Employers. Employee understands and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential, and Employee shall not disclose, disseminate, or publicize the existence or content of this Agreement to any Person, except (i) for any Protected Disclosure or Action, (ii) to Employee’s spouse, attorney, financial advisor, and government tax authorities, or (iii) as reasonably necessary in connection with any action instituted to enforce either Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. Employee further agrees that, for so long as Employee’s post-employment obligations under this Agreement apply, Employee must inform any prospective employer or other Person with which Employee will be affiliated of such post-employment obligations, before accepting an offer of employment or other engagement. Employee consents to the Company Group providing notification to any of Employee’s actual or potential employers or other business relationships which may potentially interfere with this Agreement, of this Agreement and its terms and conditions.

9. Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby designate (i) all members of the Company Group that are not signatories to this Agreement and/or (ii) any successors or assigns as permitted under this Agreement, as intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, having the right to enforce this Agreement, including without limitation, the restrictions protecting the Company Group’s property, Confidential Information, Company Relationships, training, reputation and goodwill.

10. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Employee, and that the Company shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by specific performance and immediate injunctive relief as remedies for such breach or any threatened breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all remedies available to the Company at law, under common and statutory law, under other agreements, or in equity, including, without limitation, the recovery of damages caused by Employee’s breach, and the return of any payments, equity or other consideration paid or provided to Employee where Employee’s receipt of which was conditioned on compliance with this Agreement. Employee agrees to indemnify each member of the Company Group and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, costs, damages, or expenses including, without limitation, attorney’s fees incurred by any of them, arising out of any breach of, misrepresentation made in, or challenge to the enforceability of, this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Company shall be entitled to the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in enforcing this Agreement. Employee’s remedies for breach of this Agreement by the Company are limited to recovery of, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits, and/or the CIC Severance Benefits. Employee’s rights to the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Benefits and/or the CIC Severance Benefits, as applicable, are determined by the terms of this Agreement, and Employee may recover attorneys’ fees if allowed by applicable law.

11. Indemnification.

11.1. Indemnification. In the event that Employee is made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”) arising out of any act or omission by Employee in Employee’s capacity as a director or officer of the Parent or any other member of the Company Group, then the Parent or its successors or assigns shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law and the Parent’s organizational documents from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). For the avoidance of doubt, Proceedings arising from any contest or dispute between Employee and any member of the Company Group, including, without limitation, any such Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall not be subject to indemnification.

 

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11.2. D&O Insurance. During the Term and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, any applicable member of the Company Group or any successor to the Parent shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to Employee on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated senior executives of the Parent or any successor or assign.

12. Definitions. The following terms shall have the stated meaning, whenever used in this Agreement:

12.1. “Cause” means the following acts or omissions by Employee, as judged in the sole and reasonable discretion of the Board (sitting without Employee, if applicable):

12.1.1. Employee’s material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Employee, on the one hand, and one or more members of the Company Group, on the other hand, including Employee’s breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant made under any such agreement; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.1 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.2. Employee’s material breach of any material policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any other member of the Company Group that is applicable to Employee and made known to Employee prior to such breach; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.2 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions;

12.1.3. Employee’s breach of any material law applicable to the employment relationship, including any such law with respect to sexual harassment, non-discrimination or non-retaliation;

12.1.4. Employee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under this Agreement;

12.1.5. Any act of fraud or embezzlement by Employee, or material act of theft, in each case, with respect to any member of the Company Group;

12.1.6. Employee’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or receipt of deferred adjudication for any (i) crime that constitutes a felony or (ii) crime or offense that constitutes a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other conduct involving moral turpitude; or

12.1.7. Employee’s willful failure or refusal, other than due to Disability, to (i) perform Employee’s duties and responsibilities to the Company Group or (ii) follow any lawful directive from the Board, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that if Employee’s actions or omissions as set forth in this Section 12.1.7 are of such a nature that they are curable by Employee, such actions or omissions must remain uncured by Employee for thirty (30) days after the Board first provided Employee written notice of the obligation to cure such actions or omissions.

 

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12.2. “Change in Control” means the first of the following events to occur after the Effective Date:

12.2.1. a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) or more than one “person” acting as a “group” (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) (B)) (other than the Parent, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, an “person” that, prior to such transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Parent or any Permitted Holder), directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership of the securities of the Parent that, together with securities held by such “person” or “group”, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Parent outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

12.2.2. a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent, or similar transaction is consummated, unless the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent immediately before the consummation of such transaction directly or indirectly beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the successor or survivor corporation in such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the issuance of equity securities of the Parent and changes to its Board in an IPO (and any related issuance of equity securities of Flowco MergeCo LLC, and reorganization of Flowco MergeCo LLC and changes to its Board) shall not constitute a “Change in Control”; and (ii) only to the extent that compensation herein is subject to Section 409A and would not otherwise comply with Section 409A, a “Change in Control” shall occur only to the extent that the triggering event constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A and the Treasury Department regulations thereunder.

12.3. “Company Business” means (i) the design, development, manufacture, assembly, sale or provision otherwise of, (a) compression units utilized in high pressure gas lift, field gathering, traditional gas lift, vapor recovery, and wellhead applications, and (b) surface and downhole equipment utilized in plunger lift, traditional gas lift, plunger-assisted gas lift, and gas-assisted plunger lift applications; and/or (ii) any other business activities engaged in by any member of the Company Group during the Term.

12.4. “Company Relationships” means any Person who is a supplier, vendor, customer, or other business relationship of any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP and COO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Company Relationships.

12.5. “Competitive Business” means any Person (other than any member of the Company Group) engaged in or planning to become engaged in any business and/or activities that the same as, substantially similar to, or the functional equivalent of, and, in all cases, competitive, in whole or in part, with, the Company Business during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP and COO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all portions of the Company Business.

12.6. “Confidential Information” means any information about the Company Group that has not been intentionally and with authority disclosed to the public by any member of the Company Group, as applicable, including, without limitation, information pertaining to the Company Group’s trade secrets; methodology and know-how; information concerning the Company Group’s products, product pricing

 

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information and programs; product or other costs; future and current business and marketing information and techniques, plans, and business processes; research and development plans and strategies; business opportunities; operations; agreements and their terms; potential transactions and negotiations; inventions, modifications, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, processes, recipes, raw materials, ingredients, flavors, intellectual property rights of the Company Group; business records; supplier information, including contracts and communications; financial information; accounting records; legal information; sales information; inventory; gross and net profit margins, market share data, finances, budgets, forecasts, projections, financial statements, and indebtedness; software utilized in operations; information concerning employees, partners, and contractors including identities, contact information, compensation, training, or other terms of engagement and performance; investor information; legal, regulatory, compliance, administrative, and management information; and information regarding past, current, and potential customers, including communications, customer lists, customer history, customer product information, customer contract information, contract negotiation information and terms, contact information for customers, and customer issues, requests, preferences and needs. Confidential Information spans any relationship or engagement between the Parties, before or after the date of this Agreement.

12.7. “Current and Former Company Relationship” means any Person who is a Company Relationship at any time during the Look-Back Period.

12.8. “Disability” means a condition that entitles Employee to receive long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if there is no such plan, Employee’s inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to perform the essential functions of Employee’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for 180 days out of any 365 day period or 120 consecutive days; provided, however, in the event that the Company temporarily replaces Employee, or transfers Employee’s duties or responsibilities to another individual on account of Employee’s inability to perform such duties due to a mental or physical incapacity which is, or is reasonably expected to become, a Disability, then Employee’s employment shall not be deemed terminated by the Company. The determination of whether Employee has incurred a Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurer.

12.9. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Employee’s written consent:

12.9.1. a relocation of Employee’s principal place of employment, as described in Section 1.5, by more than 30 miles;

12.9.2. the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

12.9.3. a material, adverse change in the Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Employee is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law) taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that Employee must provide written notice to the Board of the existence of the grounds for such Good Reason termination within thirty (30) days of the first occurrence of such grounds and such grounds must remain uncured by the Company for sixty (60) days after Employee first provided the Board written notice of the obligation to cure such grounds; provided, further, that Employee must terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement for Good Reason within 120 days after the first occurrence of the applicable grounds or Employee will be deemed to have waived the right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such grounds.

 

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12.10. “IPO” means an initial public offering of equity securities of a Parent pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC.

12.11. “Look-Back Period” means the most recent twelve-(12) month period of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, including, if Employee’s employment under this Agreement has ended, the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Termination Date.

12.12. “Parent” means as of the date of this Agreement, Flowco MergeCo LLC, and following the consummation of an IPO and issuance of a managing member interest in Flowco MergeCo LLC to Flowco Holdings Inc., Flowco Holdings Inc.

12.13. “Permitted Holder” means Jonathan B. Fairbanks, GEC Advisors LLC, White Deer Management, LLC, and any of their respective Affiliates.

12.14. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

12.15. “Post-Employment Restricted Period” means the period commencing on the Termination Date and continuing until the expiration of (i) twenty-four (24) months, or (ii) in the event Employee is entitled to receive the Severance Benefits outlined in Section 3.4.2, twelve (12) months.

12.16. “Prospective Company Relationship” means any Person who is actively and materially contacted or solicited (directly or indirectly), at any time during the Look-Back Period, by any member of the Company Group for the purpose of becoming a Company Relationship of such member of the Company Group. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP and COO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Prospective Company Relationships.

12.17. “Restricted Company Relationship” means all Current and Former Company Relationships and Prospective Company Relationships.

12.18. “Restricted Service Provider” means any Person who is a Service Provider at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP and COO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all Service Providers.

12.19. “Restricted Territory” means any metropolitan markets in the United States in which the Company Group conducts business or has taken active steps to conduct business, in each case, at any time during the Look-Back Period. Employee acknowledges and agrees that, as EVP and COO, Employee has responsibility or involvement (directly or indirectly) relating to, and receives Confidential Information about, all of the Restricted Territory.

12.20. “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

12.21. “Service Provider” means any Person who is employed by or engaged to perform personal services as an independent contractor or consultant for any member of the Company Group at any time during the Term.

12.22. “Termination Date” means:

 

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12.22.1. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s death, the date of Employee’s death;

12.22.2. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated on account of Employee’s Disability, the date the Disability determination is made or, if later, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.3. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for Cause, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination;

12.22.4. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by the Company for convenience, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that the Company shall have the option to waive all or any portion of such notice period by giving written notice to Employee, provided, further, that, in lieu of the portion of the notice period so waived, the Company provides Employee with a payment equal to the Base Salary prorated based upon the number of days of the notice period so waived, which shall be paid in a lump sum on the Termination Date and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date specified in written notice of waiver from the Company;

12.22.5. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee for convenience, the date specified in Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the date of the Notice of Termination; provided that, the Company may waive all or any part of the thirty (30)-day notice period for no consideration by giving written notice to Employee and for all purposes of this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be the date determined by the Company;

12.22.6. If this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement are terminated by Employee with Good Reason, the date specified in the Employee’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date on which the grounds giving rise to such termination for Good Reason first occurred.

 

13.

Miscellaneous

13.1. Legal Fees Incurred in Negotiation of the Agreement. The Company shall reimburse Employee for, or pay on behalf of Employee, all reasonable legal fees incurred in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, up to a maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00).

13.2. Withholding of Taxes and Other Items. The Company may withhold from any compensation or benefits or other amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, as well as any other authorized deduction or withholding or other amounts owed by Employee to the Company Group. Furthermore, should Employee owe the Company any amount as of or following the Termination Date, Employee hereby authorizes the Company to deduct the amount owed by Employee from, as applicable, the Unpaid Bonus Payment, the Prorated Bonus Payment, the Severance Pay, the CIC Severance Pay, and/or any other amounts otherwise owed to Employee by the Company.

 

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13.3. Representations; Entire Agreement. Employee acknowledges that Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement. Employee has carefully read and fully understands all of the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, this Agreement is not the entire agreement and instead supplements and does not replace any obligations owed by Employee to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under existing agreements or applicable law regarding non-disparagement, confidentiality, non-disclosure, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, tortious interference, non-competition, non-solicitation, or non-interference.

13.4. No Waiver. The failure or delay of the Company to declare a default on the occurrence of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee or to require strict compliance with any term of the Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any current or subsequent breach or non-compliance by Employee. Any waiver by the Company must be agreed to in writing by an authorized representative of the Company. No waiver by the Company of any breach by Employee of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by Employee shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

13.5. Severability; Modification; Amendment. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable and thus stricken, or shall only be enforceable if modified, then such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the Parties with any such modification to become a part of the Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing or striking such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as such court deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the Parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement, as so modified by the court, shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in this Agreement. Other than any court modification or severance provided for in this Section 13.5, this Agreement may be amended only if in writing and signed by Employee and an authorized representative of the Company.

13.6. Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).

13.7. Successors and Assigns; Assignability. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns. Employee’s obligations are personal in nature and Employee shall not assign or transfer any of Employee’s rights or obligations under this Agreement. The Company and Employee acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and Employee’s employment under this Agreement and/or the rights and/or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any other member of the Company Group or any successor in the event of a Change in Control or any other transfer or sale of all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of the Company Group, and in any such event, all references to “the Company” in this Agreement shall then be deemed to refer to any such member of the Company Group or successor entity. Employee hereby consents to any permitted transfer or assignment, as provided under this Section 13.7 or Section 1.6.

 

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13.8. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed according to the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws principles that would result in application of the laws of another jurisdiction. With respect to any claim or dispute related to or arising out of this Agreement, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, forum and venue of the state and federal courts (as applicable) located in Harris County, Texas. THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

13.9. Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed via electronic means, and such execution shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

13.10. Titles and Headings; No Construction against Drafter. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. No terms of this Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the primary drafter.

13.11. Survival. Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, other than those outlined in Section 1 and Section 2, and any provisions necessary to interpret and enforce them, continue to apply following, and survive, in each case, (i) any actual or alleged breach of this Agreement by either Party, (ii) the termination of this Agreement, and (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, regardless of the reason for, or Party initiating, any such employment termination.

13.12. Section 409A.

13.12.1. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Section 409A”), so as to prevent inclusion in gross income of any amounts payable or benefits provided hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts or benefits would otherwise actually be distributed, provided or otherwise made available to Employee. This Agreement shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner consistent with this intent and the provisions of Section 13.12 regarding Section 409A shall control over any contrary provisions of this Agreement.

13.12.2. Payments and benefits paid or provided under this Agreement upon the termination of Employee’s employment, by either Party and for any reason, that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A shall be paid or provided only at the time of any such employment termination that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

13.12.3. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

13.12.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Employee is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment or the provision of any benefit that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided until the date which is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Employee, and (ii) the date of Employee’s death, to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the

 

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foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to Section 13.12 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

13.12.5. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Employee’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

13.12.6. In the event that Employee is required to execute a release to receive any payments from the Company that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following the applicable Termination Date. Any payments that are suspended during the sixty (60) day period shall be paid on the date the first regular payroll is made immediately following the end of such period.

13.12.7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

13.12.8. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Employee to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with Employee, reform such provision to attempt to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Employee and Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Employee by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

13.13. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement must be in writing by a method of delivery that provides for a receipt, and shall be considered duly delivered on the date so provided in such receipt if sent to or made at the addresses listed below, as applicable:

If to Employee: The address specified beneath Employee’s signature line on this Agreement.

 

If to the Company:   Flowco MasterCo LLC
  Attn: Joe Bob Edwards
  1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 450
  Houston, Texas 77056
  jedwards@flowgistix.com

Notice of change in address should be provided as stated in this Section 13.13

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT EACH PARTY VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

Executed this 26th day of November, 2024.

 

Employee:   John Terrell Gatlin
Signature:  

/s/ John Terrell Gatlin

Address:   5223 Braeburn Dr,
  Bellaire, TX 77401

Executed this 26th day of November, 2024.

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Joe Bob Edwards

       Joe Bob Edwards
Company Representative Signature     Company Representative Printed Name

 

 

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Exhibit A

Certain Permitted Activities


Exhibit B

Prior Inventions

[If blank below this line then none were disclosed]

Exhibit 10.15

Execution Version

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (herein, this “Amendment”) is entered into as of November 27, 2024, by and among FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent Borrower”), each other Loan Party party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender, and a Lender.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Parent Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2024 (as the same has been amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The Existing Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment is referred to herein as the “Credit Agreement.” All capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as such terms have in the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, Parent Borrower has informed the Administrative Agent that, among other things, (i) the Borrowers desire to increase the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.09(d) of the Existing Credit Agreement by obtaining additional Revolving Commitments in an amount equal to $25,000,000 from JPMorgan in its capacity as a Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Specified Commitment Increase”);

WHEREAS, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent have discovered the existence of a mistake or defect in Section 9.02(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement with respect to an internal Section cross-reference (the “Specified Mistake”); and

WHEREAS, (a) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders party hereto and the Loan Parties have agreed to amend certain terms of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 2.09(d) of the Existing Credit Agreement to effectuate the Specified Commitment Increase as set forth in Section 1 hereof, and (b) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties have agreed to amend certain terms of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement to correct the Specified Mistake, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confessed, the Loan Parties, the Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing of each condition precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, and in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended in the manner provided in this Section 1.


1.1Amendment to Existing Credit Agreement. Section 9.02(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be and it hereby is amended by replacing the reference to “Section 2.09(f)” in the first sentence thereof with “Section 2.09(e)”.

1.2Amendment to Commitment Schedule. The Commitment Schedule attached to the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Annex 1 attached to this Amendment.

SECTION 2. Reallocation and Increase of Commitments. Pursuant to Section 2.09(f), the Administrative and JPMorgan, in its capacity as a Lender electing to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.09(d) (in such capacity, the “Increasing Lender”), agree to take and shall take all actions required under Section 2.09(f) with respect to (i) the reallocation of the Revolving Commitments as set forth on Annex 1 attached to this Amendment, and (ii) the increase of the Increasing Lender’s Revolving Commitment, in each case, on the First Amendment Effective Date. Pursuant to Section 2.09(f) of the Credit Agreement, on the First Amendment Effective Date and after giving effect to such reallocation and increase of the Revolving Commitments, (x) the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks of the First Amendment Effective Date, which notice shall be conclusive and binding, and (y) the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be as set forth in the revised Commitment Schedule as set forth on Annex 1 attached hereto. The Administrative Agent hereby waives the $3,500 processing and recordation fee set forth in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C) of the Credit Agreement with respect to the reallocations contemplated by this Section 2. On the First Amendment Effective Date, the Administrative Agent agrees to and shall take the actions specified in Section 9.04, including recording the assignments described herein in the Register, and such assignments shall be effective for purposes of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 3. Conditions Precedent. The amendments to the Credit Agreement contained in Section 1 of this Amendment and the reallocation and increase of Revolving Commitments contained in Section 2 of this Amendment shall be effective upon the waiver or satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 3 (the “First Amendment Effective Date”).

3.1Execution and Delivery. The Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) this Amendment and any other documents requested by the Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof, all in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

3.2Officers Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received (a) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the First Amendment Effective Date and executed by its Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other Responsible Officer, which shall (i) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body, as applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and any other Loan Documents entered into in connection herewith to which it is a party, (ii) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of officers of each Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (iii) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, as applicable, of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of each Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (b) a good standing

 

-2-


certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.

3.3Fees. The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of legal counsel) for which invoices have been presented at least one (1) Business Day prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

3.4Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in Section 4 of this Amendment are true and correct as of the date hereof.

SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties of the Loan Parties. In order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto to execute and deliver this Amendment, each Loan Party hereby represents to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, as of the date hereof:

4.1Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties/Further Assurances. Both before and after giving effect to the amendments contained herein, each representation and warranty of each such Loan Party contained in the Existing Credit Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof (except to the extent such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such date and any representation or warranty which is qualified by reference to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” is true and correct in all respects).

4.2Corporate Authority; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment are within each such Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers, have been duly authorized by necessary action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority and do not violate or constitute a default under any provision of any applicable law or other agreements binding upon any Loan Party or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets of any Loan Party except for Permitted Liens and otherwise as permitted in the Credit Agreement.

4.3Enforceability. This Amendment constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditor’s rights generally, and (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

4.4No Default. As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 5. Miscellaneous.

5.1Reaffirmation of Loan Documents and Liens. By its signature below, each Loan Party hereby (a) acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided herein, the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects

 

-3-


and shall remain in full force and effect, (b) ratifies and reaffirms its obligations under, and acknowledges, renews and extends its continued liability under, the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, (c) ratifies and reaffirms all of the Liens granted by it to secure the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations and (d) acknowledges that, except as expressly provided herein, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of (i) any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any of the Loan Documents or (ii) any Default now existing or hereafter arising.

5.2Parties in Interest. All of the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

5.3Legal Expenses. Each Loan Party hereby agrees to pay all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of special counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and all related documents to the extent required pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Credit Agreement.

5.4Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the different parties on different counterpart signature pages, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Amendment shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or electronic records, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronics Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Delivery of a counterpart hereof by facsimile transmission or by e-mail transmission of an Adobe portable document format file (also known as a “PDF” file) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

5.5Complete Agreement. THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

5.6Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements used in this Amendment are, unless specified otherwise, for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of this Amendment, nor affect the meaning thereof.

5.7Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL BANKS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 9.09 AND 9.10

 

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OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTIONS WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

5.8Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. This Amendment shall be deemed to constitute a Loan Document for all purposes and in all respects. Each reference in the Existing Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein” or words of like import, and each reference in the Existing Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or other agreements, documents or other instruments executed and delivered pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement to the “Credit Agreement”, shall mean and be a reference to the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

[SIGNATURE PAGES TO FOLLOW]

 

-5-


This First Amendment to Credit Agreement is entered into as of the date and year first above written.

 

BORROWERS:

FLOWCO MASTERCO LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Joe Bob Edwards

 

Name:

 

Joe Bob Edwards

 

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

FLOWCO PRODUCTIONS LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

ESTIS INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FLOGISTIX INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Jim Merrill

 

Name:

 

Jim Merrill

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

ESTIS COMPRESSION, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

MCCLUNG ENERGY SERVICES, LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

ESTIS COMPRESSION MANAGEMENT, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

MCCLUNG MANAGEMENT LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

ESTIS MANAGEMENT LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Christopher Courtney

 

Name:

 

Christopher Courtney

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

FLOGISTIX, LP,

a Texas limited partnership

By: Flogistix GP, LLC, its General Partner

By:

 

/s/ Jim Merrill

 

Name:

 

Jim Merrill

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FLOGISTIX GP, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:

 

/s/ Jim Merrill

 

Name:

 

Jim Merrill

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

GAS LIFT PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

INDUSTRIAL VALVE MANUFACTURING LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

PATRIOT ARTIFICIAL LIFT, LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FPS LOGISTICS, L.L.C.,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

SPM COMPLETION SYSTEMS, LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FPS PROPERTIES LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

By: Flowco Productions LLC, its Sole Member

By:

 

/s/ Susan Horton

 

Name:

 

Susan Horton

 

Title:

 

Treasurer

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

individually and as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and a Lender

By:

 

/s/ J. Devin Mock

 

Name:

 

J. Devin Mock

 

Title:

 

Authorized Officer

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


Annex I

COMMITMENT SCHEDULE

 

Lender

   Revolving Commitment  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 165,000,000.00  

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

   $ 100,000,000.00  

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 90,000,000.00  

Bank OZK

   $ 90,000,000.00  

Regions Bank

   $ 60,000,000.00  

Bank of Montreal

   $ 60,000,000.00  

First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company

   $ 50,000,000.00  

Texas Capital Bank

   $ 50,000,000.00  

Cadence Bank

   $ 40,000,000.00  

BOKF, NA

   $ 20,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 725,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

Legal Name   

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

or Organization

Estis Compression Management Inc.

   Delaware

Estis Compression LLC

   Delaware

Estis Intermediate Holdings LLC

   Delaware

Estis Management LLC

   Delaware

Flogistix, LP

   Texas

Flogistix Global OBU LLC

   Oman

Flogistix GP, LLC

   Delaware

Flogistix Intermediate Holdings LLC

   Delaware

Flogistix ULC

   Canada

Flowco MasterCo LLC

   Delaware

Flowco MergeCo LLC

   Delaware

Flowco Production Solutions Canada Ltd.

   Canada

Flowco Productions LLC

   Delaware

FPS Logistics, L.L.C.

   Texas

FPS Properties LLC

   Texas

Gas Lift Production Solutions LLC

   Texas

Industrial Valve Manufacturing LLC

   Texas

McClung Energy Services, LLC

   Texas

McClung Management LLC

   Delaware

Patriot Artificial Lift LLC

   Texas

SPM Productions Systems LLC

   Texas

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc. of our report dated December 6, 2024 relating to the financial statement of Flowco Holdings Inc., which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

December 6, 2024

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc. of our report dated August 30, 2024, except for the inclusion of the Lessor Accounting disclosure in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is October 11, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Flowco MergeCo LLC, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

December 6, 2024

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc. of our report dated April 26, 2024, except for the change in the manner in which the Company accounts for goodwill and leases discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is August 30, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Flowco Production Solutions, L.L.C., which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

December 6, 2024

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We have issued our report dated April 5, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Flogistix, LP contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus of Flowco Holdings, Inc. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

December 6, 2024

Exhibit 23.6

CONSENT OF Rystad Energy Inc.

September 27, 2024

Flowco MergeCo LLC

2415 West Alabama Street, Suite #220

Houston, Texas 77098 USA

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the use of our name, Rystad Energy, and our report “Market Study: US Onshore L48 Artificial Lift and Vapor Recovery” in (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of Flowco MergeCo LLC (the “Company”) and in all subsequent amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to the Registration Statement and in any related prospectus and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 436 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Company’s public offering of its common stock; (ii) any interim, quarterly or annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company; (iii) any other registration statement relating to the Company’s common stock and any amendment thereto; (iv) any document offering securities in the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (v) any investor presentation utilized by the Company.

 

Rystad Energy Inc.

By:

  LOGO
 

Name: Robert R. Cordray

 

Title: Managing Director, Americas

EXHIBIT 99.1

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to be named in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and any amendments or supplements thereto, including the prospectus contained therein, and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as an individual who has agreed to serve as a director of the Company upon completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s Class A common stock, to all references to the undersigned in connection therewith, and to the filing or attachment of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement or such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and any amendment or supplement to the foregoing.

Dated: December 6, 2024

 

/s/ Paul W. Hobby
Paul W. Hobby

EXHIBIT 99.2

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to be named in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and any amendments or supplements thereto, including the prospectus contained therein, and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as an individual who has agreed to serve as a director of the Company upon completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s Class A common stock, to all references to the undersigned in connection therewith, and to the filing or attachment of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement or such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and any amendment or supplement to the foregoing.

Dated: December 6, 2024

 

/s/ Cynthia L. Walker

Cynthia L. Walker

EXHIBIT 99.3

CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to be named in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Flowco Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and any amendments or supplements thereto, including the prospectus contained therein, and any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as an individual who has agreed to serve as a director of the Company upon completion of the initial public offering of the Company’s Class A common stock, to all references to the undersigned in connection therewith, and to the filing or attachment of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement or such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and any amendment or supplement to the foregoing.

 

Dated: December 6, 2024    
     

/s/ William H. White

      William H. White

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-1

(Form Type)

Flowco Holdings Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

                 
     Security
Type
  Security Class Title   Fee
Calculation
Rule
 

Amount

Registered

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
 

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(2)

  Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee
                 
Fees to be Paid   Equity   Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share   Rule 457(o)     (1)   $100,000,000   $0.00015310   $15,310
           
    Total Offering Amounts     $100,000,000     $15,310
           
    Total Fees Previously Paid        
           
    Total Fee Offsets        
           
    Net Fee Due               $15,310

 

(1)

Includes shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issuable upon exercise of an option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters.

 

(2)

Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold by the Registrant.