As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2014
Registration No. 333-193336


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 

 
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
20-0065053
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
(214) 221-4610
 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code
of registrant’s principal executive offices)

   John M. Brown
Chief Executive Officer
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
(214) 221-4610
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 

 Copies to:
Mark Wigder Esq.
Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.
1601 Elm Street, Suite 4600
Dallas, Texas 75201
(469) 320-6112
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.   x

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

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.   o

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction 1.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   o

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to General Instruction 1.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   o

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

Large accelerated filer     ¨
Accelerated filer                       ¨
Non-accelerated filer       ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company       x
 
 
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 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.
 


 
 

 
 
Subject to Completion, Dated ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­___________, 2014
 
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES OR ACCEPT AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
 
PROSPECTUS

$119,850,000
 
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
 
Common Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Units
 
This prospectus is part of a replacement registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. From time to time, we may offer up to an aggregate of approximately $119,850,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units. We will not sell under this registration statement and prospectus common stock or other securities with a market value exceeding one-third of the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock by non-affiliates, or the public float, in any 12-month period; provided, however, if the aggregate market value of our public float equals or exceeds $75 million hereafter, such limitation shall not apply to sales made pursuant to this registration statement and prospectus on or subsequent to such date. 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer.  Each time we sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus.  The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any securities.
 
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZN” The sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on March 7, 2014 was $1.96, and our public float was approximately $64.88 million. Under our Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan, we also have a common stock purchase warrant that will be issued in the future and quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZNWOW”. On March 27, 2013, the Company filed with the SEC the prospectus supplement dated as of March 27, 2013 and accompanying base prospectus relating to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “DSPP”). The prospectus formed part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-174266), which was declared effective by the SEC on March 26, 2011. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on NASDAQ Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.
 
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. We urge you to carefully consider the risks that we have described on page 6 of this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.” We may also include specific risk factors in supplements to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.” This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We will sell these securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.  If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.  The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
 
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
The date of this prospectus is March 13, 2014.
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents

 
Page
About this Prospectus
1
Special Note Regarding Forwarding Looking Statements 
1
Summary
2
Risk Factors
6
Use of Proceeds
12
Description of Capital Stock
12
Description of Debt Securities
15
Description of Warrants
23
Description of Units
25
Legal Ownership of Securities
26
Plan of Distribution
28
Legal Matters
30
Experts
30
Where You Can Find More Information
30
Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference
31

 
 
 

 
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is a part of a replacement registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of approximately $119,850,000.  We will not sell under this registration statement and prospectus common stock or other securities with a market value exceeding one-third of the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock by non-affiliates, or the public float, in any 12-month period; provided, however, if the aggregate market value of our public float equals or exceeds $75 million hereafter, such limitation shall not apply to sales made pursuant to this registration statement and prospectus on or subsequent to such date. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.  Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering.  The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.  You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described on page 30 under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and the accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities sold on a later date. In this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Company,” "we," "our" and "us" refer to Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER AND SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This prospectus and the documents included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You generally can identify our forward-looking statements by the words "anticipate," "believe," "budgeted," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "scheduled," "should," "will" or other similar words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding:

 
our growth strategies;

 
our ability to explore for and develop natural gas and oil resources successfully and economically;

 
local (in Israel) as well as global demand for oil and natural gas;

 
our estimates of the timing and number of wells we expect to drill and other exploration activities and planned expenditures;

 
changes in our drilling plans and related budgets;

 
the quality of our license areas with regard to, among other things, the existence of reserves in economic quantities;

 
anticipated trends in our business;

 
our future results of operations;

 
our liquidity and our ability to raise capital to finance our exploration and development activities;

 
our capital expenditure program;

 
future market conditions in the oil and gas industry; and

 
the impact of governmental regulation.
 
 
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More specifically, our forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our schedule, business plan, targets,  estimates or results of future drilling, including the number, timing and results of wells, the timing and risk involved in drilling follow-up wells, planned expenditures, prospects budgeted and other future capital expenditures, risk profile of oil and gas exploration, acquisition of seismic data (including number, timing and size of projects), planned evaluation of prospects, probability of prospects having oil and natural gas, expected production or reserves, increases in reserves, acreage, working capital requirements, hedging activities, the ability of expected sources of liquidity to implement our business strategy, future hiring, future exploration activity, production rates, all and any other statements regarding future operations, financial results, business plans and cash needs and other statements that are not historical facts.

Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those relating to our dependence on our exploratory drilling activities, the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, the need to replace reserves depleted by production, operating risks of oil and natural gas operations, our dependence on our key personnel, factors that affect our ability to manage our growth and achieve our business strategy, risks relating to our limited operating history, technological changes, our significant capital requirements, the potential impact of government regulations, adverse regulatory determinations, litigation, competition, the uncertainty of reserve information and future net revenue estimates, property acquisition risks, industry partner issues, availability of equipment, weather and other factors detailed herein and in our other filings with the SEC.

We have based our forward-looking statements on our management's beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements are described under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus (page 6) and described under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and in our other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement.

SUMMARY

The following is only a summary, and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. We urge you to read this entire prospectus, including the more detailed financial statements, notes to the financial statements and other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” from our other filings with the SEC, as well as any prospectus supplement applicable to an offering of the securities registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Investing in our securities involves risks. Therefore, please carefully consider the information provided under the heading "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6.

Our Company

Zion Oil and Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is an initial stage oil and gas exploration company with a history of over 13 years of oil and gas exploration in Israel. We have no revenues or operating income and we are classified as a "development stage" company. We were incorporated in Florida on April 6, 2000 and reincorporated in Delaware on July 9, 2003. We completed our initial public offering in January 2007. Our common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZN” and our warrant will trade on such market under the symbol “ZNWOW” in the future.
 
We currently hold three petroleum exploration licenses, named the Asher-Menashe License, the Jordan Valley License and the Megiddo-Jezreel License, covering approximately 233,521 acres of land onshore Northern Israel.  To date, we have completed drilling three exploratory wells in the Joseph License and have completed drilling one exploratory well in the Asher-Menashe License area. We are currently in the process of identifying our next drilling prospects in the Megiddo-Jezreel License and Jordan Valley License areas.
 
On July 7, 2013, the Petroleum Commissioner notified the Company that our Asher-Menashe License was extended until June 9, 2014. Under the terms of the license extension, the Company was required to perform a perforation and stimulation operation at the Elijah #3 well and conduct a production test.  Although we had hoped to encounter producible hydrocarbons, we did not (other than minimal amounts of gas), and we will now work to finalize all remaining plugging and  abandonment procedures for that well, including submitting a final report.  The Company currently has no plans to continue exploration activity in this license area.
 
 
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In the Jordan Valley License area, we identified several exploration leads in the license area as we reassessed our existing seismic data in preparation for submitting our new Megiddo-Jezreel Valley License application.  We will need additional pre-drilling exploratory work such as seismic data reprocessing as well as acquisition, to identify, if possible, a drillable prospect.  Accordingly, we will need extensions of the requirements that we enter into a drilling contract to drill an exploratory well in the license area, and we may submit a work plan to extend the Jordan Valley License for at least one year beyond the current expiration date of April 12, 2014.  The Jordan Valley License is subject to additional one-year extensions at the option of the Petroleum Commissioner through April 2018.

In April 2013, we submitted an application seeking a new petroleum exploration license in the Megiddo-Jezreel Valley area, onshore Israel, covering an area of approximately 98,000 acres, which is adjacent to and westward of our existing Jordan Valley License.  The Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum Exploration License No. 401 was awarded on December 3, 2013 for a three-year primary term through December 2, 2016 with the possibility of additional one-year extensions up to a maximum of seven years.  Under the terms of the License, the Company has until July 1, 2015 to identify and submit a drilling prospect, enter into a drilling contract by October 1, 2015, and begin drilling or “spud” a well to a minimum proposed total depth of approximately 4,000 meters (~ 13,125 feet) by December 1, 2015.  These and other geological and geophysical milestones should be achievable before the stated deadlines.
 
We will need to reprocess existing seismic data and acquire new seismic data to refine our understanding of the subsurface geology and confirm our preliminary well site location for our first exploratory well in the Megiddo-Jezreel License and Jordan Valley License areas. In June 2013, we entered into a contract with Geomage, an Israeli geophysical company, to reprocess existing seismic lines in an effort to improve our subsurface imaging ability in both the Megiddo-Jezreel License and Jordan Valley License areas. This effort should aid us in high-grading exploration leads in both areas to develop them into drillable prospects.  We have completed reprocessing the first six seismic lines (86 kilometers) and we recently instructed Geomage to reprocess another six lines (82 kilometers) for a total of 12 lines (168 kilometers).  We are also working with our Israel exploration staff to identify locations to acquire new seismic data in conjunction with the Geophysical Institute of Israel.  The exploration staff is also collecting potential source rock samples to evaluate their oil generation potential.  Finally, we are evaluating proposals from various environmental firms to prepare an extensive environmental impact document that is a prerequisite for a drilling permit.
 
After we identify the site of our next exploratory well, we will need to begin the procedure of obtaining the needed authorizations and permits to commence drilling – this includes an extensive environmental supplement to an oil and gas exploration plan and a separate drilling permit.  As we have previously disclosed in our periodic filings, we anticipate that the newly promulgated regulations relating to petroleum exploration will considerably increase the time needed to obtain all of the needed permits and authorizations from regulatory and local bodies in Israel as well as the associated expenses.  We are unable to accurately estimate the time frame in which we can expect to obtain the necessary authorizations once a drilling prospect has been identified.

Finally, prior to actually spudding our next exploratory well, we will need to contract with an appropriate rig contractor for the necessary drilling rig, operating crews and other appropriate drilling equipment.  Toward that objective, we have already started to evaluate potential contractors both within and outside of Israel.

We hold 100% of the working interest in our licenses, which means we are responsible for 100% of the costs of exploration and, if established, production. Our net revenue interest is 81.5%, which means we would receive 81.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of oil and gas from license areas upon their conversion to production leases, if there is any commercial production. The 18.5% to which we are not entitled comprises (i) a 12.5% royalty reserved by the State of Israel and (ii) an overriding royalty interest (or equivalent net operating profits interest) of 6% of gross revenue from production given over to two charitable foundations. No royalty would be payable to any landowner with respect to production from our license areas as the State of Israel owns all the mineral rights. In addition, we may establish a key employee incentive plan that may receive an overriding royalty interest (or equivalent net operating profits interest) of up to 1.5%.   In that event, our effective net revenue interest would be 80%. Effective March 2011, a special levy on income from oil and gas production was enacted in Israel. The new law provides that royalties on hydrocarbon discoveries will remain at 12.5%, while taxation of profits will begin only after the developers have reached payback on their investment plus a return. The levy will be 20% after a payback of 150% on the investment, and will rise gradually, reaching 44.56% after a return of 230% on the investment. The Israeli government also repealed the percentage depletion deduction and made certain changes to the rules for deducting tangible and intangible development. These rules will only become germane to us when, and if, we commence production of oil and/or gas.

Our ability to generate future revenues and operating cash flow will depend on the successful exploration and exploitation of our current and any future petroleum rights or the acquisition of oil and/or gas producing properties, the volume and timing of our production, as well as commodity prices for oil and gas. Such pricing factors are largely beyond our control, and may result in fluctuations in our earnings.

Our company’s vision, as exemplified by its Founder and Chairman, John Brown, of finding oil and/or natural gas in Israel, is Biblically inspired. The vision is based, in part, on Biblical references alluding to the presence of oil and/or natural gas in territories within the State of Israel that were formerly within certain ancient Biblical tribal areas. While John Brown provides the broad vision and goals for Zion, the actions taken by the Company’s management as it actively explores for oil and gas in Israel are based on modern science and good business practice. Zion’s oil and gas exploration activities are supported by appropriate geological and other science based studies and surveys typically carried out by companies engaged in oil and gas exploration activities.
 
 
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Financing Activities

To date, we have funded our operations through the issuance of our securities. Our recent financing is discussed below.

On March 27, 2013, the Company filed with the SEC the prospectus supplement dated as of March 27, 2013 and accompanying base prospectus (collectively, the “Prospectus”) relating to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “DSPP”). The Prospectus forms a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-174266) which was declared effective by the SEC on May 26, 2011.
 
Under the previously announced offering, the Company offered (a) shares of common stock and (b) through June 30, 2014, units of the Company’s securities with each unit comprised of (i) one share of common stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase an additional share of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share for five years. The securities were offered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the DSPP as described in the prospectus. 
 
The Securities We May Offer
 
We may offer shares of our common stock, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, with a total value of up to approximately $119,850,000 from time to time under this prospectus at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. We will not sell under this registration statement and prospectus common stock or other securities with a market value exceeding one-third of the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock by non-affiliates, or the public float, in any 12-month period; provided, however, if the aggregate market value of our public float equals or exceeds $75 million hereafter, such limitation shall not apply to sales made pursuant to this registration statement and prospectus on or subsequent to such date.  This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.  Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
 
 
·
aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;

 
·
maturity, if applicable;

 
·
original issue discount, if any;

 
·
rates and times of payment of interest, if any;

 
·
redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;

 
·
conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;

 
·
ranking;

 
·
restrictive covenants, if any;

 
·
voting or other rights, if any; and

 
·
important federal income tax considerations.
 
The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
We may sell the securities directly to or through underwriters, dealers or agents.  We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities.  Currently, we sell securities directly through our Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:

 
·
the names of those underwriters or agents;

 
·
applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;

 
·
details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and

 
·
the net proceeds to us.
 
 
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The following is a summary of the securities we may offer with this prospectus.
 
Common Stock .  We currently have authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. We may offer shares of our common stock either alone or underlying other registered securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock from time to time. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all other matters that require stockholder approval.   In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets remaining after payment of liabilities. Currently, we do not pay any dividends. Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock, or any redemption rights.

Debt Securities We may offer debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt.  The senior debt securities may be secured or unsecured.  The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all or some portion of our indebtedness.  Any convertible debt securities that we issue will be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities of ours.  Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.
 
Any debt securities will be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between us and a trustee for the holders of the debt securities.  We have not at this time negotiated a definitive form of indenture, and we have not selected a financial institution to serve as the trustee.  We have filed as an Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part an indenture that provides a generic, non-specific description of the debt securities to be offered and contains certain general and standard provisions for such indentures.  In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general and standard features of the debt securities we may issue, and such indenture.  We urge you, however, to read the prospectus supplements related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the definitive indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.  We will file as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference into such Registration Statement from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the forms of definitive indentures and any supplemental indentures and the forms of debt securities containing the terms of debt securities we are offering before the issuance of any series of debt pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
 
Warrants.   We may offer warrants for the purchase of our common stock, and/or debt securities in one or more series, from time to time.  We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, and/or debt securities and the warrants may be attached to or separate from those securities.  Currently, warrants under the symbol “ZNWOW” to purchase an additional share of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share for five years are being offered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the DSPP as described in the prospectus. 

The warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates issued under one or more warrant agreements, which are contracts between us and an agent for the holders of the warrants.  In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general and standard features of the warrants.  We urge you, however, to read the prospectus supplements related to the series of warrants being offered, as well as the warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.  We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference into such registration statement from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreements and form of warrant certificates relating to warrants for the purchase of common stock and debt securities we are offering before the issuance of any such warrants pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Units.  We may offer units consisting of common stock, debt securities and/or warrants to purchase any of such securities in one or more series. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general and standard features of the units. We urge you, however, to read the prospectus supplements related to the series of units being offered, as well as the unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

We will evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We will enter into the unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR SELL ANY SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

 
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RISK FACTORS

Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risks Related to our Business” below and in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risk factors, and you may lose all or any part of your investment.

Risks Related to our Business

We are an oil and gas exploration company with no current source of revenue. Our ability to continue in business depends upon our continued ability to obtain significant financing from external sources and the success of our exploration efforts, none of which can be assured.

We were incorporated in April 2000 and are still an oil and gas exploration company with no established production. Our operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in exploration stage companies with no revenues or operating income. Our potential for success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with a new business, especially the oil and gas exploration business, and in particular the deep, wildcat wells in which we are engaged in Israel. We cannot warrant or provide any assurance that our business objectives will be accomplished.
 
We have historically depended entirely upon capital infusions from the issuance of equity securities to provide the cash needed to fund our operations. Between June 2009 and March 2014, we raised approximately $103 million in the public equity market from rights offerings of our common stock and warrants to our stockholders. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to raise funds in the public (or private) equity markets. Our ability to continue in business depends upon our continued ability to obtain significant financing from external sources and the success of our exploration efforts. Any reduction in our ability to raise equity capital in the future would force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and could have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to continue our current exploration activities. All of our audited financial statements since inception have contained a statement by the auditors that raises substantial doubt about us being able to continue as a "going concern" unless we are able to raise additional capital, except for the 2012 Audited Financial Statements and  the 2013 Audited Financial Statements.
 
We will require substantial additional funds to drill additional wells and to realize our business plan.
 
Our planned work program is expensive. We believe that our current cash resources are sufficient to allow us to accomplish the future seismic and other exploratory operations. We have no commitments for any financing and no assurance can be provided that we will be able to raise funds when needed. We estimate that, when we are not actively drilling a well, our monthly expenditure is approximately $494,000. However, when we are engaged in active drilling operations, as we anticipate in the Megiddo-Jezreel License and Jordan Valley License areas, we estimate that there is an additional cost of approximately $83,000 per day (equivalent to approximately $2,500,000 per month). If there is turmoil in the credit and equity markets, then our ability to raise funds may be significant and adversely affected.
 
Additional financing could cause your relative interest in our assets and potential earnings to be significantly diluted (unless you participated in such financings). Even if we have exploration success, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to offset the cost of dry holes and general and administrative expenses.
 
We may not have a rig at our disposal to drill an exploratory well in the Megiddo-Jezreel License and Jordan Valley License areas and, unless we acquire control of a rig and/or make other appropriate arrangements, we may not be able to continue with our future drilling plans.
 
Depending on a number of factors, including the identification of additional appropriate drilling prospects in our license areas, the status of an exploratory drilling rig is unknown. Until we identify and obtain access to an exploratory rig, of which no assurance can be provided, we may not be able to continue with our drilling plans without substantial delay. Any delay in our drilling timetables can have a material adverse effect on the implementation of our business plan.

We rely on independent experts and technical or operational service providers over whom we may have limited control.

The success of our oil and gas exploration efforts is dependent upon the efforts of various third parties that we do not control. These third parties provide critical engineering, geological, geophysical and other scientific analytical services, including 2-D seismic imaging technology to explore for and develop oil and gas prospects. Given our small size and limited resources, we do not have all the required expertise on staff.  As a result, we rely upon various companies and other third persons to assist us in identifying desirable hydrocarbon prospects to acquire and to provide us with technical assistance and services. In addition, we rely upon the owners and operators of drilling rigs and related equipment. If any of these relationships with third-party service providers are terminated or are unavailable on commercially acceptable terms, we may not be able to execute our business plan. Our limited control over the activities and business practices of these third parties, any inability on our part to maintain satisfactory commercial relationships with them, their limited availability  or their failure to provide quality services could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 
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We typically commence exploration drilling operations without undertaking extensive analytical testing thereby potentially increasing the risk (and associated costs) of drilling a non-producing well.

Larger oil and gas exploration companies typically conduct extensive analytical pre-drilling testing. These include 3-D seismic imaging, the drilling of an expendable “pilot” well or “stratigraphic test” to collect data (logs, cores, fluid samples, pressure data) to determine if drilling a well capable of producing oil or gas well (full completion with casing and well testing) is justified. The use of pilot or stratigraphic tests is often used in areas where there is little or no offset well data, like Israel, where our exploration license areas are located.  While 3-D seismic imaging data is more useful than 2-D seismic data in identifying potential new drilling prospects, its acquisition and processing costs are many multiples greater than that for 2-D data, and there are prohibitive Israel-specific logistical roadblocks to acquisition of onshore 3-D seismic data in Israel. We believe that the additional months, delays and associated costs associated with more extensive pre-drilling testing typically undertaken by larger oil and gas exploration companies is not necessarily justified when drilling vertical exploration wells (as we have historically been doing). Nonetheless, the absence of more extensive pre-drilling testing may potentially increase the risk of drilling a non-producing well, which would in turn result in increased costs and expenses. Additionally, Zion is typically engaged in drilling deep onshore wildcat wells in Israel where only approximately 500 total wells have ever been drilled, the vast majority of which are relatively shallow. As such, exploration risks are inherently very substantial.
 
A substantial and extended decline in oil or natural gas prices could adversely impact our future rate of growth and the carrying value of our unproved oil & gas assets.
 
Prices for oil and natural gas fluctuate widely. Fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas will affect many aspects of our business, including our ability to attract capital to finance our operations, our cost of capital, and the value of our unproved oil and natural gas properties. Prices for oil and natural gas may fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a wide variety of additional factors (such as the current political turmoil in the Middle East) that are beyond our control, such as the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas, the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls, technological advances affecting energy consumption, and domestic and foreign governmental regulations. Significant and extended reductions in oil and natural gas prices could require us to reduce our capital expenditures and impair the carrying value of our assets.

If we are successful in finding commercial quantities of oil and/or gas, our revenues, operating results, financial condition and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital will depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. Declines in oil and gas prices may materially adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and operating results. Lower oil and gas prices also may reduce the amount of oil and gas that we could produce economically.

Historically, oil and gas prices and markets have been volatile, with prices fluctuating widely, and they are likely to continue to be volatile, making it impossible to predict with any certainty the future prices of oil and gas.

We may continue to recognize substantial write-downs with respect to well impairment costs.

We account for our oil and gas property costs using the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized. We record an investment impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other than temporary.

Abandonment of properties is accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs. The net capitalized costs are subject to a “ceiling test,” which limits such costs to the aggregate of the estimated present value of future net revenues from proved reserves discounted at ten percent based on current economic and operating conditions, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties. The recoverability of amounts capitalized for oil and gas properties is dependent upon the identification of economically recoverable reserves, together with obtaining the necessary financing to exploit such reserves and the achievement of profitable operations.

We review our unproved oil and gas properties periodically to determine whether they have been impaired. An impairment allowance is provided on an unproved property when we determine that the property will not be developed. Any impairment charge incurred is recorded in accumulated depletion, impairment and amortization to reduce our recorded basis in the asset.

Our lack of diversification increases the risk of an investment in us, and our financial condition and results of operations may deteriorate if we fail to diversify.

Our business focus is on oil and gas exploration on a limited number of properties in Israel. As a result, we lack diversification, in terms of both the nature and geographic scope of our business. We will likely be impacted more acutely by factors affecting our industry or the regions in which we operate than we would if our business were more diversified. If we are unable to diversify our operations, our financial condition and results of operations could deteriorate.

 
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We currently have no proved reserves or current production, and we may never have any.

We do not have any proved reserves or current production of oil or gas. We cannot assure you that any wells will be completed or produce oil or gas in commercially profitable quantities.

We have a history of losses and we cannot assure you that we will ever be profitable.
 
We incurred net losses of $10,294,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $9,077,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. We cannot provide any assurances that we will ever be profitable.
 
Oil and gas exploration is an inherently risky business.

Exploratory drilling involves enormous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be discovered. Even when properly used and interpreted, seismic data analysis and other computer simulation techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in trying to identify subsurface structures and potential hydrocarbon indicators. They do not allow the interpreter to know conclusively if hydrocarbons are present or economically available. The risk analysis techniques we use in evaluating potential drilling sites rely on subjective judgments of our personnel and consultants. Additionally, Zion is typically engaged in drilling deep onshore wildcat wells in Israel where only approximately 500 total wells have ever been drilled, the vast majority of which are relatively shallow. Consequently, our exploration risks are very substantial.

Operating hazards and uninsured risks with respect to the oil and gas operations may have material adverse effects on our operations.

Our exploration and, if successful, development and production operations are subject to all of the risks normally incident to the exploration for and the development and production of oil and gas, including blowouts, cratering, uncontrollable flows of oil, gas or well fluids, fires, pollution and other environmental and operating risks. These hazards could result in substantial losses due to injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment, pollution and other environmental damage and suspension of operations. While as a matter of practice we take out insurance against some or all of these risks, such insurance may not cover the particular hazard and may not be sufficient to cover all losses. The occurrence of a significant event adversely affecting any of the oil and gas properties in which we have an interest could have a material adverse effect on us, could materially affect our continued operation and could expose us to material liability.

Political risks may adversely affect our operations and/or inhibit our ability to raise capital.

Our operations are concentrated in Israel and could be directly affected by political, economic and military conditions in Israel. Efforts to secure a lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors and Palestinian residents have been underway since Israel became a country in 1948, and the future of these peace efforts is still uncertain.

Civil unrest has continued to spread throughout the region and has involved other areas such as the Gaza Strip and nations such as Egypt, Syria and Yemen. Such unrest, if it continues to spread or grow in intensity, could lead to civil wars; regime changes resulting in governments that are hostile to the US and/or Israel, such as has previously occurred in the region; violations of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty; or regional conflict.

At this time, we are uncertain of the outcome of these events. However, prolonged and/or widespread regional conflict in the Middle East could have the following results, among others:

 
·
capital market reassessment of risk and subsequent redeployment of capital to more stable areas making it more difficult for us to obtain financing for potential development projects;
 
·
security concerns in Israel, making it more difficult for our personnel or supplies to enter or exit the country;
 
·
security concerns leading to evacuation of our personnel;
 
·
damage to or destruction of our wells, production facilities, receiving terminals or other operating assets;
 
·
inability of our service and equipment providers to deliver items necessary for us to conduct  our operations in, resulting in delays; and
 
·
lack of availability of drilling rig and experienced crew, oilfield equipment or services if third party providers decide to exit the region.

Loss of property and/or interruption of our business plans resulting from hostile acts could have a significant negative impact on our earnings and cash flow. In addition, we may not have enough insurance to cover any loss of property or other claims resulting from these risks.

 
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We face various risks associated with the trend toward increased activism against oil and gas exploration and development activities.

Opposition toward oil and gas drilling and development activity has been growing globally and is particularly pronounced in OECD countries which include the US, the UK and Israel.  Companies in the oil and gas industry, such as us, are often the target of activist efforts from both individuals and non-governmental organizations regarding safety, human rights, environmental compliance and business practices.  Future activist efforts could result in the following:

 
·
delay or denial of drilling permits;
 
·
shortening of lease terms or reduction in lease size;
 
·
restrictions on installation or operation of gathering or processing facilities;
 
·
restrictions on the use of certain operating practices, such as hydraulic fracturing;
 
·
legal challenges or lawsuits;
 
·
damaging publicity about us;
 
·
increased costs of doing business;
 
·
reduction in demand for our products; and
 
·
other adverse effects on our ability to develop our properties and expand production.

Our need to incur costs associated with responding to these initiatives or complying with any resulting new legal or regulatory requirements resulting from these activities that are substantial and not adequately provided for, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Economic risks may adversely affect our operations and/or inhibit our ability to raise additional capital.

Economically, our operations in Israel may be subject to:

 
·
exchange rate fluctuations;
 
·
royalty and tax increases and other risks arising out of Israeli State sovereignty over the mineral rights in Israel and its taxing authority; and
 
·
changes in Israel's economy that could cause the legislation of oil and gas price controls.

Consequently, our operations may be substantially affected by local economic factors beyond our control, any of which could negatively affect our financial performance and prospects.

Legal risks could negatively affect Zion’s value.

Legally, our operations in Israel may be subject to:

 
·
changes in the Petroleum Law resulting in modification of license and permit rights;
 
·
adoption of new legislation relating to the terms and conditions pursuant to which operations in the energy sector may be conducted;
 
·
changes in laws and policies affecting operations of foreign-based companies in Israel; and
 
·
changes in governmental energy and environmental policies or the personnel administering them.

The Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures has promulgated legislation relating to licensing requirements for entities engaged in the fuel sector that may result in our having to obtain additional licenses to market and sell hydrocarbons that may be discovered by us. We have been advised by the Ministry that they do not intend to deprive a holder of petroleum rights under the Petroleum Law of its right under that law to sell hydrocarbons discovered and produced under its petroleum rights. We cannot now predict the legislation’s possible impact on our operations.

Further, in the event of a legal dispute in Israel, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Israeli courts or we may not be successful in subjecting persons who are not United States residents to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States, either of which could adversely affect the outcome of a dispute.
 
The Ministry of Environmental Protection has issued legislation relating to polluted materials, including their production, treatment, handling, storage and transportation that may affect land or water resources.  Persons engaged in activities involving these types of materials will be required to prepare environmental impact statements and remediation plans either prior to commencing activities or following the occurrence of an event that may cause pollution to land or water resources or endanger public health.  We do now know and cannot predict whether any additional legislation in this area will be enacted and, if so, in what form and which of its provisions, if any, will relate to and affect our activities, how and to what extent.
 
 
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In March 2011, the Ministry of Environmental Protection issued initial guidelines relating to oil and gas drilling. This is the first time that the Ministry has published specific environmental guidelines for oil and gas drilling operations, relating to on-shore and off-shore Israel. The guidelines are subject to change.

The guidelines are detailed and provide environmental guidelines for all aspects of drilling operations, commencing from when an application for a preliminary permit is filed, and continuing through license, drilling exploration, production lease, petroleum production and abandonment of the well. The guidelines address details that must be submitted regarding the drill site, surrounding area, the actual drilling operations, the storage and removal of waste and the closing or abandoning of a well.

The Company believes that these and other new regulations will significantly increase the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and considerably increase the time needed to obtain all of the necessary authorizations and approvals prior to drilling.

Our petroleum rights (including licenses and permits) could be canceled, terminated or not extended, and we would not be able to successfully execute our business plan.

Any license or other petroleum right we hold or may be granted is granted for fixed periods and requires compliance with a work program detailed in the license or other petroleum right. If we do not fulfill the relevant work program due to inadequate funding or for any other reason, the Israeli government may terminate the license or any other petroleum right before its scheduled expiration date. No assurance can be provided that we will be able to obtain an extension to this if in fact we are unable to begin drilling by such date.

There are limitations on the transfer of interests in our petroleum rights, which could impair our ability to raise additional funds to execute our business plan .

The Israeli government has the right to approve any transfer of rights and interests in any license or other petroleum right we hold or may be granted and any mortgage of any license or other petroleum rights to borrow money. If we attempt to raise additional funds through borrowings or joint ventures with other companies and are unable to obtain required approvals from the government, the value of your investment could be significantly diluted or even lost.

Our dependence on the limited contractors, equipment and professional services available in Israel may result in increased costs and possibly material delays in our work schedule .

Due to the lack of competitive resources in Israel, costs for our operations may be more expensive than costs for similar operations in other parts of the world. We are also more likely to incur delays in our drilling schedule and be subject to a greater risk of failure in meeting our required work schedule. Similarly, some of the oil field personnel we need to undertake our planned operations are not necessarily available in Israel or available on short notice for work in Israel. Any or all of the factors specified above may result in increased costs and delays in the work schedule.

Our dependence on Israeli local licenses and permits may require more funds than we have budgeted and may cause delays in our work schedule.

In connection with drilling operations, we are subject to a number of Israeli local licenses and permits. Some of these are issued by the Israeli security forces, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Israeli Water Commission, the Israel Lands Authority, the holders of the surface rights in the lands on which we intend to conduct drilling operations, including Kibbutz Ein Carmel, local and regional planning commissions and environmental authorities.
 
In the event of a commercial discovery and depending on the nature of the discovery and the production and related distribution equipment necessary to produce and sell the discovered hydrocarbons, we will be subject to additional licenses and permits, including from various departments in the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources, regional and local planning commissions, the environmental authorities and the Israel Lands Authority. If we are unable to obtain some or all of these permits or the time required to obtain them is longer than anticipated, we may have to alter or delay our planned work schedule, which would increase our costs.

If we are successful in finding commercial quantities of oil and/or gas, our operations will be subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, which can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of our doing business. Many Israeli laws and regulations require permits for the operation of various facilities, and these permits are subject to revocation, modification and renewal. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations could subject us to fines, injunctions or both.

 
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If compliance with safety and environmental regulations is more expensive than anticipated, it could adversely impact the profitability of our business.

Risks of substantial costs and liabilities related to safety and environmental compliance issues are inherent in oil and gas operations. It is possible that other developments, such as stricter safety and environmental laws and regulations, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from oil and gas exploration and production, would result in substantial costs and liabilities. This could also cause our insurance premiums to be significantly greater than anticipated.

Earnings will be diluted due to charitable contributions and key employee incentive plan.

We are legally bound to fund in the form of a royalty interest or equivalent net operating profits interest, 6% of our gross sales revenues, if any, to two charitable foundations. In addition, we may allocate 1.5% royalty interest or equivalent net operating profits interest to a key employee incentive plan designed as bonus compensation over and above our executive compensation payments. This means that the total royalty burden on our property (including the government royalty of 12.5%) may be up to 20% of gross revenue. As our expenses increase with respect to the amount of sales, these donations and allocation could significantly dilute future earnings and, thus, depress the price of the common stock.
 
Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our stock price and trading volume may be volatile, which could result in losses for our stockholders.

The equity trading markets have recently experienced high volatility resulting in highly variable and unpredictable pricing of equity securities. If the turmoil in the equity trading markets continues, the market for our common stock could change in ways that may or may not be related to our business, our industry or our operating performance and financial condition. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:
 
 
actual or anticipated quarterly variations in our operating results, including further impairment to unproved oil and gas properties,
 
changes in expectations as to our future financial performance or changes in financial estimates, if any,
 
announcements relating to our business,
 
conditions generally affecting the oil and natural gas industry,
 
the success of our operating strategy, and
 
the operating and stock performance of other comparable companies.
 
             Many of these factors are beyond our control, and we cannot predict their potential effects on the price of our common stock. In addition, the stock market is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations. During the past 52 weeks, our stock price has fluctuated from an intraday low of $0.81 to an intraday high of $2.99.    This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and could have the same effect on our common stock.
 
No assurance can be provided that you will be able to resell your shares of common stock at or above the price you acquired those shares in this offering. We cannot assure you that the market price of common stock will increase to the per share price at which it was offered or that the market price of common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly.
 
As of December 31, 2013, we had employee stock options outstanding to purchase 2,399,250 shares of common stock at prices ranging between $0.01 and $7.15 per share.
 
The exercise or possibility of exercise of outstanding warrants and employee stock options, or any offering under the S-3 shelf registration statement that we may complete, could have an adverse effect on the market price for our common stock, and you may experience dilution to your holdings.

 
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Cash dividends will not be paid to shareholders for the foreseeable future.

You may receive little or no cash or stock dividends on your shares of common stock. The board of directors has not directed the payment of any dividends and does not anticipate paying dividends on the shares for the foreseeable future and intends to retain any future earnings to the extent necessary to develop and expand our business. Payment of cash dividends, if any, will depend, among other factors, on our earnings, capital requirements, and the general operating and financial condition, and will be subject to legal limitations on the payment of dividends out of paid-in capital.

USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement applicable to an offering, we intend to use any net proceeds from the sale of our securities to fund our operations and for other general corporate purposes, such as additions to working capital, expansion of our drilling and other exploration efforts and further our efforts to possibly acquire a majority working interest in a deep-drilling capacity onshore drilling rig. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for the foregoing purposes.
 
When we offer a particular series of securities, we will describe the intended use of the net proceeds from that offering in a prospectus supplement. The actual amount of net proceeds we spend on a particular use will depend on many factors, including, our future capital expenditures, the amount of cash required by our operations, and our future revenue growth, if any. Therefore, we will retain broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds.  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized share capital consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2013, there were 34,005,696 common shares outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

The following description of our common stock, together with any additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of our common stock that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future common stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any class or series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. For the complete terms of our common stock, please refer to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. The summary below and that contained in any applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

Common Stock

Voting . Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders. They are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions . Holders of our common stock are entitled to share in an equal amount per share in any dividends declared by our board of directors on the common stock and paid out of legally available assets.

Distributions on Dissolution . In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets remaining after payment of liabilities.

Other Rights. Our common stock does not carry any preemptive rights enabling a holder to subscribe for, or receive shares of, any class of our common stock or any other securities convertible into shares of any class of our common stock. There are no conversion or redemption rights or sinking funds provided for our stockholders.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions
 
The following summary describes provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. They may have the effect of discouraging a tender offer, proxy contest or other takeover attempt that is opposed by our board of directors. These provisions include:
 
 
·
restrictions on the rights of shareholders to remove directors;
 
·
limitations against shareholders calling a Special Meeting of shareholders or acting by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting;
 
·
requirements for advance notice of actions proposed by shareholders for consideration at meetings of the shareholders; and
 
·
restrictions on business combination transactions with "related persons."
 
 
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Classified board of directors and removal

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. The term of office of each class expires at the third Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the election of directors following the election of such class (except for the initial classes). Directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our voting stock at a Special Meeting of Shareholders called expressly for that purpose. The classification of directors could have the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of the board of directors. At least two Annual Meetings of Shareholders, instead of one, are generally required to effect a change in a majority of the board of directors.

The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to us and our shareholders. The classification of the board of directors could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. In addition, because the classification provisions may discourage accumulations of large blocks of stock by purchasers whose objective is to take control of our company and remove a majority of the board of directors, the classification of the board of directors could tend to reduce the likelihood of fluctuations in the market price of the common stock that might result from accumulations of large blocks. Accordingly, shareholders could be deprived of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.
 
Shareholder action by written consent and special meetings

Our bylaws provide that shareholder action can be taken only at an Annual or Special Meeting of shareholders and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting once our number of shareholders exceeded sixty, which occurred in the first quarter of 2003. Special Meetings of shareholders can be called only upon a resolution adopted by the board of directors. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any Special Meeting of shareholders is limited to the business brought before the meeting under the Notice of Meeting given by us. These provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a shareholder proposal until the next Annual Meeting. These provisions would also prevent the holders of a majority of our voting stock from unilaterally using the written consent or Special Meeting procedure to take shareholder action.

Advance notice provisions for shareholder nominations and shareholder proposals

Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or bring other business before a meeting of shareholders. The shareholder notice procedure provides that only persons who are nominated by, or at the direction of, the board of directors, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice containing specified information to our secretary prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as our directors. The shareholder notice procedure also provides that at a meeting of the shareholders only such business may be conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the chairman of the board of directors, or in the absence of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice containing specified information to our secretary of such shareholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting.
 
Although our bylaws do not give the board of directors any power to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to Zion and our shareholders.

Business combination provision

Our certificate of incorporation contains a provision for approval of specified business combination transactions involving any person, entity or group that beneficially owns at least 10% of our aggregate voting stock. Such person, entity or group is sometimes referred to as a "related person". This provision requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of our voting stock to approve specified transactions between a related person and Zion, including:
 
 
·
any merger or consolidation;
 
·
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of our assets having a fair market value of more than 10% of our total assets, or assets representing more than 10% of our cash flow or earning power, or 10% of stockholders' equity, which is referred to as a "substantial part";
 
·
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to or with us of all or a substantial part of the assets of a related person;
 
·
any reclassification of securities, recapitalization, or any other transaction involving us that would have the effect of increasing the voting power of a related person;
 
·
the adoption of a plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution proposed by or on behalf of a related person; and
 
·
the entering into of any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described above.
 
 
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This voting requirement will not apply to certain transactions, including any transaction approved by a majority vote of the directors (called "Disinterested Directors") who are not affiliated or associated with the related person described above, provided that there are at least three Disinterested Directors. This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Zion in a transaction or series of transactions.

Liability of directors and indemnification
 
Our certificate of incorporation provides that a director will not be personally liable to us or our shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that such exemption or limitation of liability is not permitted under Delaware General Corporation Law. Any amendment or repeal of such provisions may not adversely affect any right or protection of a director existing under our certificate of incorporation for any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
 
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that each person who at any time serves or served as one of our directors or officers, or any person who, while one of our directors or officers, is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, is entitled to indemnification and the advancement of expenses from us, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Delaware law. However, as provided under applicable Delaware General Corporation Law, this indemnification will only be provided if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our company.

Amendments

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we reserve the right to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in our certificate of incorporation, and all rights conferred to shareholders are granted subject to such reservation. The affirmative vote of holders of not less than 80% of our voting stock, voting together as a single class, is required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with, or to repeal certain specified provisions of our certificate of incorporation. However, the 80% vote described in the prior sentence is not required for any alteration, amendment, adoption of inconsistent provision or repeal of the "business combination" provision discussed under the "Business combination provision" paragraph above which is recommended to the shareholders by two-thirds of our Disinterested Directors, and such alteration, amendment, adoption of inconsistent provision or repeal shall require the vote, if any, required under the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders may only adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 66-2/3% of our voting stock, voting together as a single class. Our bylaws may also be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of our board of directors.

Listing Symbols on the NASDAQ Global Market

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZN” The sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on March 7, 2014 was $1.96. We also have one common stock purchase warrant to be quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZNWOW” after July 31, 2014. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on NASDAQ Global Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the prospectus supplement.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Registrar and Transfer Company, Cranford, New Jersey.
 
 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
We may from time to time offer and sell debt securities of one or more series. We may offer and sell those securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.  Each time securities are sold pursuant to the Registration Statement to which this prospectus relates, we will provide one or more supplements to this prospectus that will contain additional information about the specific offering and the terms of the securities being offered. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no outstanding registered debt securities.

We may issue one or more series of notes under indentures, which we will enter into with the trustee to be named therein.  We have not at this time negotiated a definitive form of indenture, and we have not selected a financial institution to serve as the trustee.  We have filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part an indenture that provides a generic, non-specific description of the debt securities to be offered and contains certain general and standard provisions for such indentures.  If we issue debt securities, we will file the definitive indentures as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, or incorporate them by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.  We use the term “indentures” to refer to any and all indentures that we may enter into with respect to debt securities issued and sold pursuant to this Registration Statement. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.  We use the term “Trustee” to refer to the trustee or the trustee under the indenture.
 
The following is a summary of certain general and standard features of the Debt Securities we may offer and the term of the indenture that is Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part.  We use the term “Indenture” to refer to such indenture.  Defined terms used in this section have the same meaning as defined in the Indenture.  Where there are blanks in this Indenture, this means that the amount or number in the blank is to be negotiated with the Trustee at the time the Indenture is executed in connection with a specific debt offering.  The summary is qualified in its entirety by referenced to the Indenture, which is Exhibit 4.2 to this Registration Statement.

We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete definitive indentures that will contain the terms of the Debt Securities. 

General
 
The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder. Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture from time to time in separate series, each up to the aggregate amount authorized for such series. The Debt Securities will be general obligations of the Company and may be subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See “—Subordination of Debt Securities.”

A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture (or a resolution of our Board of Directors and accompanying officers’ certificate) relating to any series of Debt Securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
 
 
the form and title of the Debt Securities;
 
the total principal amount of the Debt Securities, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;
 
the dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;
 
the rate at which the Debt Securities will bear interest and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;
 
any optional redemption provisions; • any security for the Debt Securities and the terms of such security;
 
any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate the Company to repurchase or otherwise redeem the Debt Securities;
 
the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities may be convertible into or exchanged for Capital Stock or other securities of the Company or any other obligor or issuer;
 
the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the maturity of the Debt Securities is accelerated;
 
the currency or currency unit in which the Debt Securities will be paid, if not U.S. dollars;
 
any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those deferred amounts will be payable as well;
 
any changes to or additional Events of Default or covenants;
 
the subordination, if any, of the Debt Securities and any changes to the subordination provisions of the Indenture; and
 
any other terms of the Debt Securities not prohibited by the Indenture.
 
 
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Certain Covenants

Limitation on Lien Securing Funded Debt. The Company may create, incur or assume Funded Debt secured by Liens. If the aggregate principal amount of such Funded Debt and all other Funded Debt of the Company, incurred or assumed pursuant to the exception in this sentence and outstanding at such time does not exceed a percentage of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company (the “Secured Debt Basket”) to be determined.

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations . The Company will not consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

(1)
the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof, and the Successor assumes by supplemental indenture in a form satisfactory to the Trustee all of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture; provided, that unless the Successor is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Debt Securities will be added to the Indenture by such supplemental indenture; and

(2)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SEC Reports. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of any such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that any such annual reports, information, documents or other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR.

Other Covenants and Other Terms. The definitive indentures may also contain additional covenants, including those restricting our ability to issue additional securities; pay dividends and make distributions in respect to our capital check; redeem capital stock; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets;  issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries, place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; or engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates.   The definitive indentures may require us to maintain interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios.  The definitive indentures may provide other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restriction on the Debt Securities, including any terms of which may be required by the Company or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the Debt Securities.

Events of Default

The following will be Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series:

(1)   
default by the Company in the payment of principal of or any premium on the Debt Securities of such series when due and payable at Maturity;

(2)   
default by the Company in the payment of any installment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series when due and payable and continuance of such default for 30 days;

(3)   
default on any other Indebtedness of the Company if either

(A)
such default results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness having a principal amount of  at least an amount to be determined individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness the maturity of which has been so accelerated, in the aggregate, or

(B)
such default results from the failure to pay when due principal of any such Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable grace period (a “Payment Default”), having a principal amount of at least an amount to be determined individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, in the aggregate; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration is rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond any applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequent acceleration of the Debt Securities shall be rescinded, so long as any such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree or applicable provision of law;
 
 
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(4)   
default in the performance, or breach of, any covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture applicable to Debt Securities of such series and, in each such case, failure to remedy such default within a period of 60 days after written notice thereof from the Trustee or Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that the Company will have 90 days following such written notice to remedy or receive a waiver for any failure to comply with its obligations under the Indenture so long as the Company is attempting to remedy any such failure as promptly as reasonably practicable;

(5)
certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company; or

(6)
any other Event of Default provided with regard to Debt Securities of a particular series in the terms thereof.

The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of Debt Securities of any series of any default (except in payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security of such series) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series to do so.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series may declare the unpaid principal of (or, if any of the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), and any premium and accrued but unpaid interest on, all the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal (or other specified amount), and any premium and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company  occurs and is continuing, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, all the Debt Securities of such series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series with respect to which a declaration of acceleration has been made may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and its consequences.

No Holder of the Debt Securities of a series may pursue any remedy under the Indenture unless:

(1)  
the Trustee shall have received written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series,

(2)  
the Trustee shall have received a request from Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series to pursue such remedy,

(3)  
the Trustee shall have been offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it,

(4)  
the Trustee shall have failed to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity and

(5)  
no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, such provision does not affect the right of a Holder of any Debt Securities to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment thereon.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right, duty or power hereunder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense.
 
 
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Modification and Waiver
 
Supplements and amendments to the Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series may be made by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplement, considered together as a single class; provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby,

(1)  
reduce the percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of any provision of the Indenture or the Debt Securities;

(2)  
reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of any series;

(3)  
reduce the principal amount of any Security or change the Maturity Date of the Debt Securities of any series;

(4)  
reduce the amount payable upon redemption of any Security;

(5)  
adversely affect the conversion rights of any Security that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Security;

(6)  
waive any Event of Default in the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on the Debt Securities of any series;

(7)
make any Security payable in money other than that stated in such Security;

(8)
impair the right of Holders of Debt Securities of any series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on Debt Securities on the respective due dates therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; or

(9)
make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture.

Supplements and amendments of the Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series may be made by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of any Holders in certain limited circumstances, including

(1)  
to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; provided that such modification shall not adversely affect the Holders of any series in any material respect;

(2)  
to provide for the assumption of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture upon the merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

(3)  
to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture; provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall become effective only after there are no such Debt Securities of any series entitled to the benefit of such provision outstanding;

(4)  
to establish the forms or terms of the Debt Securities of any series issued under the Indenture;

(5)  
to evidence the acceptance or appointment by a separate Trustee or successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities or otherwise;

(6)  
in the case of any Debt Securities that are designated as Subordinated Debt Securities, to make any change that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any Holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under the Indenture;

(7)  
to comply with any requirement of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) 
to provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to certificated Debt Securities;

(9)  
to make provisions with respect to the conversion of Debt Securities of any series that are convertible in accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities; or

(10)  
to make any change that would provide any additional benefit to the Holders of such series or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of such series in any material respect.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, or any premium or interest.
 
 
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Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its obligations discharged with respect to the Debt Securities of a series (“Legal Defeasance”). Such Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series, except for

(1)
the rights of Holders of outstanding Debt Securities of such series to receive payments solely from the trust fund described below in respect of the principal of, and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities when such payments are due,

(2)
the Company’s obligations with respect to such Debt Securities concerning the issuance of temporary Debt Securities, transfers and exchanges of the Debt Securities, replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, the maintenance of an office or agency where the Debt Securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange or presented for payment, and duties of paying agents and conversion agents,

(3)
the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(4)
the Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company released with respect to certain covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” (“Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment) described under “—Events of Default” will no longer constitute an Event of Default.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under the Indenture,

(1)
the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, cash in U.S. Legal Tender, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay

(A)
the principal of, and any premium and interest on the outstanding Debt Securities of such series on each date on which such principal, and any premium and interest is due and payable or on any redemption date established pursuant to the Indenture and
 
(B)
any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of such Debt Securities.

(2)
in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that

(A)
the Company has received from or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
 
(B)
since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3)
in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;
 
 
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(5)
such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any other material agreement, other than the Indenture, or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, and if the Debt Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to the Indenture, is not prohibited by the Indenture;

(6)
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(7)
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that the Company has complied with all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance.

Subordination of Debt Securities

Debt Securities of a series may be subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness (the Debt Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Subordinated Debt Securities”). Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to such series, to the prior payment of all indebtedness of the Company that is designated as Senior Indebtedness with respect to the series.

The Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company will receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will receive any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities:
 
(1)
upon any payment of distribution of our assets of the Company to its creditors;

(2)
upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3)
in a bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property.

Until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would otherwise be entitled will be made to the Holders of Senior Indebtedness, except that such Holders may receive securities representing Capital Stock of the Company and any Debt Securities of the Company that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities.

If the Company does not pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period (including at Maturity), or any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, the Company may not:

(1) 
make any payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities;

(2)
make any deposit for the purpose of defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities; or
 
(3)
repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Subordinated Debt Securities, except that in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund, we may deliver Subordinated Debt Securities to the Trustee in satisfaction of our sinking fund obligation, unless, in either case,

(a)
the default has been cured or waived and the declaration of acceleration has been rescinded;

(b)
the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; or

(4)
the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving the payment from the Representatives of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company.

During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the Maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Subordinated Debt Securities for a period called the “Payment Blockage Period.” A Payment Blockage Period will commence on the receipt by us and the Trustee of written notice of the default, called a “Blockage Notice,” from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period.
 
 
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The Payment Blockage Period may be terminated before its expiration:

(1) 
by written notice from the Person or Persons who gave the Blockage Notice;

(2)
by repayment in full in cash of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Blockage Notice was given; or

(3)
if the default giving rise to the Payment Blockage Period is no longer continuing.

Unless the Holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such Holders shall have accelerated the Maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities after the expiration of the Payment Blockage Period.

Generally, not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any period of 360 consecutive days irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period. The total number of days during which any one or more Payment Blockage Periods are in effect, however, may not exceed an aggregate of 179 days during any period of 360 consecutive days.

During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the Maturity of any Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Subsidiary Guarantor may not make a guarantee payment on Subordinated Debt Securities for the Payment Blockage Period, as described above.

After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness.

By reason of the subordination, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are Holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain of our general creditors, may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Company may discharge all its obligations under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series, other than its obligation to register the transfer of and exchange notes of that series, provided that it either:

(1) 
delivers all outstanding Debt Securities of that series to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) 
all such Debt Securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Maturity within one year or are called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point the Company has deposited with the Trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such Debt Securities, including any premium and interest to the Maturity Date or applicable redemption date.

Governing Law

The Indenture provides that it and the Debt Securities and the Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Trustee

The Trustee is permitted to become an owner or pledgee of the Debt Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. If, however, the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

In case an Event of Default shall occur (and be continuing), the Trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of the Debt Securities, unless such Holders have offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.
 
 
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Book Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the Company expects that the Debt Securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global securities and that the global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the global securities directly through the Depositary if they have an account with the Depositary or indirectly through organizations that have accounts with the Depositary.

The Company expects that the following will describe the Depositary. The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The Depositary’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may include the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by the Depositary, upon the issuance of the global securities, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registrations and transfer system, the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities represented by such global securities to the accounts of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriter of the Debt Securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be limited to participants or Persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants’ interest) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities other than participants). The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global securities.
 
So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the Holder of the global securities, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner and Holder of the Debt Securities for all purposes of the Debt Securities and the Indenture. Except as set forth below, you will not be entitled to have the Debt Securities represented by the global securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered to be the owner or Holder of any Debt Securities under the global securities. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global securities desires to take any action that the Depositary, as the Holder of the global securities, is entitled to take, the Depositary will authorize the participants to take such action, and that the participants will authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

The Company will make all payments on Debt Securities represented by the global securities registered in the name of and held by the Depositary or its nominee to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the owner and Holder of the global securities.

The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment in respect of the global securities, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the aggregate principal amount of the global securities as shown on the records of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interest in the global securities held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants. The Company will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global securities for any Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between the Depositary and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities owning through such participants.

Although the Company expects that the Depositary will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global securities among participants of the Depositary, the Depositary is under no obligations to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the Trustee nor the Company will have any responsibility for the performance by the Depositary or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
 
 
-22-

 
 
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants, including:

 
·
the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 
·
the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
 
 
·
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 
·
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 
·
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 
·
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of common stock may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 
·
the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;

 
·
the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 
·
any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 
·
the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 
·
the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
 
 
-23-

 
 
 
·
federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 
·
the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 
·
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
 
 
·
in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; and

 
·
in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the rights of common stock holders such as, but not limited to, the right to participate in voting on shareholder and/or company matters.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

 
-24-

 
 
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant.  A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants.  A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us.  Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.

We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

General

We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock and warrants in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:

 
·
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 
·
any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

 
·
any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, debt security or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

Issuance in Series

We may issue units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
 
 
-25-

 
 
Title

We, the unit agents and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary. See “Legal Ownership of Securities.”

LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities.  We describe global securities in greater detail below.  We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee or depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities.  These persons are the legal holders of the securities.  We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities.  As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.

Book-Entry Holders

We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement.  This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system.  These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security.  Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary.  Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary.  The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners.  The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly.  Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant.  As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.

Street Name Holders

We may terminate global securities or issue securities that are not issued in global form.  In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them.  These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so.  Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee or third party employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities.  We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means.  This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so.  Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes.  In such an event, we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities.  Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

 
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Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

 
·
how it handles securities payments and notices;

 
·
whether it imposes fees or charges;

 
·
how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 
·
whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;

 
·
how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 
·
if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary.  Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select.  The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary.  Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise.  We describe those situations below under “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security.  Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does.  Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated.  If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations For Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers.  We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:

 
·
an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 
·
an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;
 
 
-27-

 
 
 
·
an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 
·
an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 
·
the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security.  We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security.  We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;

 
·
the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and

 
·
financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities.  There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor.  We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests.  After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor.  Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders.  We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.

A global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:

 
·
if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;

 
·
if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

 
·
if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.

The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement.  When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers.  A prospectus supplement or supplements will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 
·
the name or names of any underwriters or agents;

 
·
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 
·
any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 
·
any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 
·
any public offering price;

 
·
any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and

 
·
any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.
 
 
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We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:

 
fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

 
market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 
prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 
negotiated prices.

Underwriters

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate.  Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the securities of that series. We may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in any applicable prospectus supplement naming any such underwriter. Only underwriters we name in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to offerings under this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities.

Agents

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.  We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities.  Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
 
Direct Sales

                    We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.  We intend to offer securities direct to investors through our Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan.

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

                    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange or market, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 
-29-

 
 
Stabilization Activities

                    Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for any underwriters, dealers or agents, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that specific offering.

EXPERTS
 
Our audited financial statements for the period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004, have been audited by Lane Gorman Trubitt, PLLC., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Such financial statements have been incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, in reliance on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
The financial statements of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (a development stage enterprise) for the period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2010, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Somekh Chaikin, Member Firm of KPMG International, independent registered public accounting firm and Lane Gorman Trubitt, PLLC, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing. Such report of Somekh Chaikin contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the Company is in the development stage and has no operating revenue, limited capital resources and a loss from operations, all of which raise substantial doubt about the Comapny’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
The financial statements of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (a development stage company) as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 and for the period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2013, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December  31, 2013 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Malone Bailey LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm and, with respect to the financial statements, Lane Gorman Trubitt, PLLC, and Somekh Chaikin, incorporated herein by reference, and upon the authority of said firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's web site is http://www.sec.gov . Our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol “ZN.”

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register the securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that registration statement and, as permitted by the SEC’s rules, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us, this offering and our common stock, you may refer to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules as well as the documents described herein or incorporated herein by reference. You can review and copy these documents, without charge, at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC or on the SEC’s website as described above or you may obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.
 
 
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file with the SEC at a later date will automatically add to, update or supersede this information.

   We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:

 
·
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on March 6, 2014;

 
·
our definitive proxy statement filed on April 25, 2013;

 
·
Current Reports on Form 8-K: January 8, 2014, January 30, 2014, and January 31, 2014;

 
·
the description of our common stock in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 29, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 
·
all future filings that we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of filing of the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the termination or completion of any offering of securities under this prospectus and all applicable prospectus supplements (except, in each case, for information contained in any such filing that is furnished and not “filed” under the Exchange Act), which filings will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as supplemented by the applicable prospectus supplement, and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of such filings.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Requests for such documents should be directed to: Shareholder Relations, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., 6510 Abrams Rd., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75231.

  This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. That registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and our common stock, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet website.

  You should rely only on the information provided in and incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of these documents.

 
 
-31-

 
 
$119,850,000

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

Common Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants and Units

PROSPECTUS

___, 2014
 
 
 
 

 
 
PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses to be paid by us in connection with the offerings described in this Registration Statement. All amounts are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
 
SEC registration fee
 
$
0
 
Transfer agent’s and trustee’s fees and expenses
   
*
 
Printing and engraving expenses
   
*
 
Accounting fees and expenses
   
*
 
Legal fees and expenses
   
*
 
Miscellaneous expenses
  
 
*
 
Total
   
$
*
 

*These fees and expenses will be determined based on the amount and type of securities that may be issued from time to time under this Registration Statement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions for indemnification of our officers and directors, and under certain circumstances, our employees and other persons. Our bylaws require us to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Each such person will be indemnified in any proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests. The indemnification would cover expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement. Our bylaws also provide that we may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any of our present or past directors or officers insuring against any liability asserted against such person incurred in their capacity as a director or officer or arising out of such status, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person.

We have no other indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws or otherwise specifically providing for indemnification of directors, officers and controlling persons against liability under the Securities Act.

Item 16. Exhibits.

See the Exhibit Index on page II-4, which is incorporated into this registration statement by reference.
 
Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)     To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement.

 
II-1

 
 
Provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.  

(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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;

(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)    That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)   Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)   Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)    That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6)    That: (i) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the 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 the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) 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.

(7)    That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement 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.

(8)    To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 
II-2

 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on March 13, 2014.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
   
By:
/s/ John M. Brown
Name:
Title:
John M. Brown
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
Signature  
 
Title
 
Date  
         
/s/ John M. Brown
  
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  
March 13, 2014
John M. Brown
  
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
/s/ Ilan Sheena
  
Chief Financial Officer
  
March 13, 2014
Ilan Sheena
  
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
  
  
         
/s/ Victor G. Carrillo
  
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
  
March 13, 2014
Victor G. Carrillo
  
 
  
  
         
/s/William H. Avery
 
General Counsel and Director
 
March 13, 2014
William H. Avery
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
/s/ Paul Oroian
  
Director
  
March 13, 2014
Paul Oroian
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
/s/ Yehezkel Druckman
  
Director
  
March 13, 2014
Yehezkel Druckman
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
/s/ Forrest A. Garb
  
Director
  
March 13, 2014
Forrest A. Garb
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
/s/Kent Siegel
 
Director
 
March 13, 2014
Kent Siegel
       
         
/s/ Gene Scammahorn
  
Director
  
March 13, 2014
Gene Scammahorn
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
/s/Justin W. Furnace
 
Director
 
March 13, 2014
Justin W. Furnace        
         
/s/ Glen Perry
  
Director
  
March 13, 2014
Glen Perry
  
  
  
  
 
 
II-3

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
 
Description
     
1.1
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement (1)
     
3.1.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, filed with the SEC on July 15, 2003, Exhibit 3.1
     
3.1.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2009, Exhibit 3.1)
     
3.1.3
 
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the quarter ended June 30, 2009, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2009, Exhibit 3.1.2)
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2008)
     
4.1
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 as filed with the SEC on January 25, 2006)
     
4.2
 
Form of Indenture for Debt Securities
     
4.3
 
Form of Notes (1)
     
4.4
 
Form of Warrant (1)
     
4.5
 
Form of Unit Agreement (1)
     
5.1
 
Opinion of Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.
     
23.1
 
Consent of Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
     
23.2
 
Consent of Lane Gorman Trubitt, PLLC
     
23.3
 
Consent of Somekh Chaikin, independent registered public accounting firm, a member of KPMG International
     
23.4
 
Consent of Malone Bailey LLP
     
25.1
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (1)

(1)
To the extent applicable, to be filed by an amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 
 
II-4

Exhibit 4.2
 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.,
 
as Issuer,
 
AND
 
THE BANK OF _________________, ___,
 
as Trustee
 

INDENTURE
 
DATED AS OF ____________________________
 

 
DEBT SECURITIES
 

 
 
 

 
 
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
 
TIA SECTION
 
INDENTURE
SECTION
 
310
(a)(1)
 
7.10
 
 
(a)(2)
 
7.10
 
 
(a)(3)
 
N.A.
 
 
(a)(4)
 
N.A.
 
 
(a)(5)
 
7.08
 
 
(b)
 
7.08; 7.10
 
 
(c)
 
N.A.
 
311
(a)
 
7.11
 
 
(b)
 
7.11
 
 
(c)
 
N.A.
 
312
(a)
 
2.08
 
 
(b)
 
12.03
 
 
(c)
 
12.03
 
313
(a)
 
7.06
 
 
(b)(1)
 
7.06
 
 
(b)(2)
 
7.06
 
 
(c)
 
7.06; 12.02
 
 
(d)
 
7.06
 
314
(a)
 
4.02; 4.03; 12.02
 
 
(b)
 
N.A.
 
 
(c)(1)
 
12.04
 
 
(c)(2)
 
12.04
 
 
(c)(3)
 
N.A.
 
 
(d)
 
N.A.
 
 
(e)
 
12.05
 
 
(f)
 
N.A.
 
315
(a)
 
7.01
(b)
 
(b)
 
7.05; 13.02
 
 
(c)
 
7.01
(a)
 
(d)
 
7.01
(c)
 
(e)
 
6.11
 
316
(a)(last sentence)
 
2.11
 
 
(a)(1)(A)
 
6.05
 
 
(a)(1)(B)
 
6.02; 6.04; 9.02
 
 
(a)(2)
 
N.A.
 
 
(b)
 
6.07
 
 
(c)
 
N.A.
 
317
(a)(1)
 
6.08
 
 
(a)(2)
 
6.09
 
 
(b)
 
2.07
 
318
(a)
 
12.01
 
318
(c)
 
12.01
 
 

N.A. means Not Applicable
NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
2
     
SECTION 1.01
 
    DEFINITIONS
2
SECTION 1.02
 
    OTHER DEFINITIONS
11
SECTION 1.03
 
    INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT
11
SECTION 1.04
 
    RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
12
   
ARTICLE TWO THE SECURITIES
12
     
SECTION 2.01
 
    FORM AND DATING
12
SECTION 2.02
 
    FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
13
SECTION 2.03
 
    AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; DENOMINATIONS
13
SECTION 2.04
 
    EXECUTION OF SECURITIES
17
SECTION 2.05
 
    AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES
17
SECTION 2.06
 
    REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT
18
SECTION 2.07
 
    PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST
19
SECTION 2.08
 
    HOLDER LISTS
19
SECTION 2.09
 
    TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
19
SECTION 2.10
 
    REPLACEMENT SECURITIES
20
SECTION 2.11
 
    OUTSTANDING SECURITIES
20
SECTION 2.12
 
    TEMPORARY SECURITIES
21
SECTION 2.13
 
    SECURITIES ISSUABLE IN THE FORM OF A GLOBAL SECURITY
21
SECTION 2.14
 
    CANCELLATION
23
SECTION 2.15
 
    DEFAULTED INTEREST
23
SECTION 2.16
 
    CUSIP NUMBERS
23
   
ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION
23
     
SECTION 3.01
 
    APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE
23
SECTION 3.02
 
    NOTICE TO TRUSTEE
24
SECTION 3.03
 
    SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED
24
SECTION 3.04
 
    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
24
SECTION 3.05
 
    EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
25
SECTION 3.06
 
    DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE
25
SECTION 3.07
 
    SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART
26
SECTION 3.08
 
    MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUNDS
26
SECTION 3.09
 
    REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND
26
   
ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS
27
     
SECTION 4.01
 
    PAYMENT OF SECURITIES
27
SECTION 4.02
 
    SEC REPORTS
27
 
 
ii

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
 
 
Page
SECTION 4.03
 
    COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES
28
SECTION 4.04
 
    MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY
28
SECTION 4.05
 
    CONTINUED EXISTENCE
29
SECTION 4.06
 
    WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS
29
SECTION 4.07
 
    PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS
29
SECTION 4.08
 
    MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND INSURANCE
29
SECTION 4.09
 
    LIMITATION ON LIENS SECURING FUNDED DEBT
30
   
ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSORS
30
     
SECTION 5.01
 
    WHEN COMPANY MAY MERGE, ETC
30
SECTION 5.02
 
    SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED
31
   
ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
31
     
SECTION 6.01
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT
31
SECTION 6.02
 
    ACCELERATION
33
SECTION 6.03
 
    OTHER REMEDIES
33
SECTION 6.04
 
    WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS
34
SECTION 6.05
 
    CONTROL BY MAJORITY
34
SECTION 6.06
 
    LIMITATION ON REMEDIES
34
SECTION 6.07
 
    RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT
34
SECTION 6.08
 
    COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE
35
SECTION 6.09
 
    TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM
35
SECTION 6.10
 
    PRIORITIES
35
SECTION 6.11
 
    UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS
35
   
ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE
36
     
SECTION 7.01
 
    DUTIES OF TRUSTEE
36
SECTION 7.02
 
    RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE
37
SECTION 7.03
 
    INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE
38
SECTION 7.04
 
    TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER
38
SECTION 7.05
 
    NOTICE OF DEFAULTS
38
SECTION 7.06
 
    REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS
38
SECTION 7.07
 
    COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY
39
SECTION 7.08
 
    SEPARATE TRUSTEE; REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE
40
SECTION 7.09
 
    SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC
40
SECTION 7.10
 
    ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION
41
SECTION 7.11
 
    PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY
41
   
ARTICLE EIGHT DEFEASANCE
41
     
SECTION 8.01
 
    APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE
41
 
 
iii

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
      Page
SECTION 8.02
 
    OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE
41
SECTION 8.03
 
    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
41
SECTION 8.04
 
    COVENANT DEFEASANCE
42
SECTION 8.05
 
    CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE
42
SECTION 8.06
 
    DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST;  OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
43
SECTION 8.07
 
    REPAYMENT TO COMPANY
44
SECTION 8.08
 
    REINSTATEMENT
44
   
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
45
     
SECTION 9.01
 
    WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS
45
SECTION 9.02
 
    WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS
46
SECTION 9.03
 
    COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT
47
SECTION 9.04
 
    REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS
47
SECTION 9.05
 
    NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
48
SECTION 9.06
 
    TRUSTEE PROTECTED
48
   
ARTICLE TEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
49
     
SECTION 10.01
 
    APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE; AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE
49
SECTION 10.02
 
    LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION, BANKRUPTCY
49
SECTION 10.03
 
    DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS
50
SECTION 10.04
 
    ACCELERATION OF PAYMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES
51
SECTION 10.05
 
    WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER
51
SECTION 10.06
 
    SUBROGATION
51
SECTION 10.07
 
    RELATIVE RIGHTS
51
SECTION 10.08
 
    SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY COMPANY
51
SECTION 10.09
 
    RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT
51
 
 
iv

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
 
 
Page
SECTION 10.10
 
    DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE
52
SECTION 10.11
 
    ARTICLE ELEVEN NOT TO PREVENT DEFAULTS OR LIMIT RIGHT TO ACCELERATE
52
SECTION 10.12
 
    TRUST MONEYS NOT SUBORDINATED
52
SECTION 10.13
 
    TRUSTEE ENTITLED TO RELY
52
SECTION 10.14
 
    TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION
53
SECTION 10.15
 
    RELIANCE BY HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS ON SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS
53
   
ARTICLE ELEVEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
53
     
SECTION 11.01
 
    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
53
SECTION 11.02
 
    APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY
54
   
ARTICLE TWELVE MISCELLANEOUS
54
     
SECTION 12.01
 
    TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS
54
SECTION 12.02
 
    NOTICES
55
SECTION 12.03
 
    COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS
56
SECTION 12.04
 
    CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
56
SECTION 12.05
 
    STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION
56
SECTION 12.06
 
    RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS
57
SECTION 12.07
 
    LEGAL HOLIDAYS
57
SECTION 12.08
 
    GOVERNING LAW
57
SECTION 12.09
 
    NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS
57
SECTION 12.10
 
    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS
57
SECTION 12.11
 
    SUCCESSORS
58
SECTION 12.12
 
    DUPLICATE ORIGINALS
58
SECTION 12.13
 
    SEVERABILITY
58
SECTION 12.14
 
    FORCE MAJEURE
58
SECTION 12.15
 
    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
58
 

NOTE:   This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.
 
 
v

 
 
INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, between ZION OIL & GAS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and THE BANK OF ________________, a national banking association, as Trustee.
 
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
 
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness in one or more series (herein called the “ Securities ”); and
 
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
 
For and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities or any series thereof, as follows:
 
 
 

 
 
ARTICLE ONE
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
SECTION 1.01 Definitions .
 
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” or “ ACNTA ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of (i) discounted future net revenue from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by petroleum engineers (which may include the Company’s internal engineers) in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to any acquisition consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report, which, in the case of sub-clauses (A) and (B), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such increases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report which, in the case of sub-clauses (C) and (D), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such decreases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases may be estimated by the Company’s engineers, (ii) the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (iv) the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements, minus (b) the sum of (i) minority interests, (ii) any gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries reflected as a long-term liability in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto, (iv) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in (a) (i) above (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto and (v) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties. If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost method of accounting.
 
 
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Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “ control ” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “ controlling ” and “ controlled ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.
 
Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under the lease during the primary term thereof, without giving effect to any renewals at the option of the lessee, discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms of the lease. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net amount of rent” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, such net amount of rent shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.
 
Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors or such other governing body.
 
Board Resolution ” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
Business Day ” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which is not a Legal Holiday.
 
 
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Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, partnership or  limited liability company interests or other equity securities (including, without limitation, beneficial interests in or other securities of a trust) and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.
 
Company ” means the party named as such above, until a successor replaces such Person in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and thereafter means such successor.
 
Company Request ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company, or by one Officer of the Company and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
Corporate Trust Office ” means, as to any series of Securities, the principal office of the Trustee with respect to such series at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at __________________________________________, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders of Securities of such series and the Company).
 
Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Company’s existing credit facility) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether contemporaneously or otherwise) or refinanced (in each case with Credit Facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.
 
Default ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
 
Depositary ” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.13 , with respect to any series of Securities issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.
 
Designated Senior Indebtedness ” means any series or issue of Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $_____________.
 
 
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Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
 
Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
 
Funded Debt ” means, with regard to any Person, all Indebtedness incurred, created, assumed or guaranteed by such Person, which matures, or is renewable by such Person to a date, more than one year after the date as of which Funded Debt is being determined.
 
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.
 
Global Security ” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and registered in the name of the Depositary for such Securities or a nominee thereof.
 
Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Register.
 
Indebtedness ” means, without duplication, with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person, including those evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, for the repayment of money borrowed (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (b) all liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (a) that such Person has guaranteed; and (c) Indebtedness (as otherwise defined in this definition) of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, the amount of such obligations being deemed to be the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations so secured, and (2) the fair market value of such asset, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.
 
 
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Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.
 
Investment ” of any Person means (i) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) all guarantees of Indebtedness of any other Person by such Person, (iii) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) all other items that would be classified as investments or advances on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
Issue Date ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, the date of original issuance of such series of Securities.
 
Lien ” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, easement, restriction, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property of such Person, or a security interest of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof or other similar agreement to sell, in each case securing obligations of such Person).
 
Maturity ” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
 
Maturity Date ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, the fixed date specified pursuant to Section 2.03(d) as to such series on which the principal of such Securities becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided.
 
Net Working Capital ” means (i) all current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, minus (ii) all current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness.
 
 
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Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or the Treasurer of such Person.
 
Officers’ Certificate ” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of such Person. One of the Officers signing an Officers’ Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.03(a) shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Person delivering such certificate.
 
Oil and Gas Business ” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, production, processing, marketing, storage and transportation of, hydrocarbons, and other related energy and natural resource businesses (including oil and gas services businesses related to the foregoing).
 
Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts ” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against price fluctuations of oil, gas or other commodities.
 
Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
 
Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 .
 
Permitted Liens ” means (i) with respect to a series of Securities, Liens existing on the Issue Date of such series of Securities; (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; (iii) Liens securing any renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing or replacement of secured Indebtedness; provided , that such Liens extend to or cover only the property or assets then securing the Indebtedness being refinanced and that the Indebtedness being refinanced was not incurred under the Credit Facilities; (iv) Liens on, or related to, properties to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of exploration, drilling, development or operation thereof; (v) Liens upon (a) any property of or any interests in any Person existing at the time of acquisition of such property or interests by the Company or a Subsidiary, (b) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or existing at the time of the sale or transfer of any such property of or interests in such Person to the Company or any Subsidiary, or (c) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , that in each case such Lien has not been created in contemplation of such sale, merger, consolidation, transfer or acquisition, and provided , further , that in each such case no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property of the Company or any Subsidiary other than the property being acquired and improvements thereon; (vi) Liens on deposits to secure public or statutory obligations or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds entered into in the ordinary course of business; (vii) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary on deposit with or in possession of such bank; (viii) purchase money security interests granted in connection with the  acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, provided , that (a) such Liens attach only to the property so acquired with the purchase money indebtedness secured thereby and (b) such Liens secure only Indebtedness that is not in excess of 100% of the purchase price of such assets; (ix) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (x) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, and other similar agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (xi) Liens securing obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts; (xii) Liens in favor of the United States, any State thereof, any foreign country or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens, including without limitation, Liens to secure Funded Debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and (xiii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.
 
 
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Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, estate, association, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
Place of Payment ” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 2.03 , the office or agency of the Company in ______________ and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.04 , the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 .
 
Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.10 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
 
Principal Property ” means any property interest in oil and gas reserves located in Israel owned by the Company or any Subsidiary and which is capable of producing crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances in paying quantities, the net book value of which property interest or interests exceeds two (2) percent of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, except any such property interest or interests that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Without limitation, the term “Principal Property” shall not include (i) property or assets employed in gathering, treating, processing, refining, transportation, distribution or marketing, (ii) accounts receivable and other obligations of any obligor under a contract for the sale, exploration, production, drilling, development, processing or transportation of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all related rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character supporting or securing payment of such receivables or obligations, or (iii) the production or any proceeds from production of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances.
 
 
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Representative ” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness.
 
SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture, the SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.
 
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
Senior Indebtedness ” means any Securities (other than Subordinated Debt Securities) or other Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred), unless such Indebtedness is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of any series or the Guarantees, respectively.
 
Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company. A “ subsidiary ” of any Person means (i) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, (ii) a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if such Person or its subsidiary is entitled to receive more than 50 percent of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution, or (iii) any other Person (other than a corporation or partnership) in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the Board of Directors of such Person.
 
 
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TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 9.03 .
 
Trust Officer ” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, senior associate or associate, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
 
Trustee ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean each Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
 
U.S. Government Securities ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
 
U.S. Legal Tender ” means such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
 
Volumetric Production Payments ” mean production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
 
Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person.
 
 
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SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions .
 
Other terms used in this Indenture are defined in the Section indicated below:
 
Term
 
Defined in Section
“Agent Member”
  2.13
Bankruptcy Law
  6.01
Blockage Notice
  10.03
Company
 
Preamble
Conversion Agent
  2.06
Covenant Defeasance
  8.04
Custodian
  6.01
Event of Default
  6.01
Legal Defeasance
  8.03
Legal Holiday
  12.07
mandatory sinking fund payment
  3.08
optional sinking fund payment
  3.08
Paying Agent
  2.06
Payment Blockage Period
  10.03
Payment Default
  6.01
pay the Subordinated Debt Securities
  10.03
Register
  2.06
Registrar
  2.06
Securities
 
Preamble
Subordinated Debt Securities
  10.01
Successor
  5.01
 
SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms, if used in this Indenture, have the following meanings:
 
Commission ” means the SEC.
 
indenture securities ” means the Securities and the Guarantees.
 
indenture security holder ” means a Holder.
 
indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.
 
indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.
 
obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company and any other obligor on the Securities or the Guarantees.
 
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them therein.
 
 
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SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction .
 
Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
 
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
 
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;
 
(5) any gender used in this Indenture shall be deemed to include the neuter, masculine or feminine genders;
 
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
 
(7) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision.
 
ARTICLE TWO
 
THE SECURITIES
 
SECTION 2.01 Form and Dating. The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.
 
The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
 
 
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SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
 
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
 
 
 
 
THE BANK OF _______________________________
As Trustee
     
 
Date: _________
 
By: _________________________________________
             Authorized Signatory
 
SECTION 2.03 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series; Denominations . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.
 
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company (and, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or Company Order setting forth, or determining the manner of, such establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of a series any or all of the following:
 
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
 
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 2.09 , 2.10 , 2.12 , 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.05 , are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
 
(c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;
 
(d) the date or dates on which the Securities of the series will be issued and on which the principal of, and any premium on, the Securities of the series are payable, or the method of determination thereof;
 
(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates; the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable, or the method by which any of such date or dates may be determined; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve thirty-day months;
 
 
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(f) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where (1) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of the series shall be payable, (2) Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, (4) Securities of the series, if convertible, may be surrendered for conversion, and (5) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
 
(g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may or shall be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
 
(h) the obligation, if any, and the option, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon a specified date or the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof or otherwise, and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall or may be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations or options, including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Three with respect to Securities of such series;
 
(i) the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for Capital Stock, other Securities, warrants for Capital Stock or Indebtedness or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor or issuer and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may or shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;
 
(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
 
(k) if the amount of principal of, or any premium or interest on, Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
 
(l) if the principal amount payable on the Maturity Date of Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Maturity Date, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Maturity Date or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
 
 
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(m) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Eight with respect to Securities of the series, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 8.04 ;
 
(n) if other than U.S. Legal Tender, the coin or currency, currencies, units of two or more currencies or other currency units in which payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. Legal Tender for any purpose, including determining the amount of such Securities as are “outstanding;”
 
(o) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.09 , or the method of determination thereof;
 
(p) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect with respect to Securities of such series;
 
(q) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Article Six with respect to the Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series to declare the principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities due and payable as set forth in Article Six ;
 
(r) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities in definitive registered form; if the Depositary for the Securities of the series is to be other than the Depositary set forth in Section 1.01 , the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.13 ;
 
(s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of any trustees, authenticating, paying, transfer or other agents or registrars with respect to the Securities of such series;
 
(t) the applicability of, and any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article Five , including conditioning any transaction permitted by Article Five upon the satisfaction of a debt coverage or other standard by the Company and any Successor;
 
(u) the subordination, if any, of the Securities of the series pursuant to Article Ten and any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Ten with respect to Securities of the series;
 
 
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(v) if the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amounts are to be determined);
 
(w) the right, if any, of the Company to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment periods and specify the duration of such extension, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and whether and under what circumstances additional interest on amounts deferred shall be payable;
 
(x) any restrictions or other provisions on the transfer or exchange of the Securities of such series;
 
(y) with regard to Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and
 
(z) any other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be expressly prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).
 
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Company Order or supplemental indenture referred to above.
 
If any of the terms of the Securities of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an Officer or other authorized Person of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the Securities of the series. Any such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above with respect to Securities of any series filed with the Trustee on or before the initial issuance of the Securities of such series shall be incorporated herein by reference with respect to Securities of such series and shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of the Indenture for all purposes relating to Securities of such series as fully as if such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or Company Order were set forth herein in full.
 
The Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
 
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by this Section 2.03 .
 
 
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SECTION 2.04 Execution of Securities . The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers thereof. Such signatures upon the Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such Officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, is not required to appear on the Securities, but if it does so appear it may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
 
Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, manually signed by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
 
In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Securities had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper Officers of the Company, although at the date of such Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.
 
SECTION 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Securities . At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities in accordance with such Company Order. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 , in authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be provided, in addition to the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.04 , and, subject to Section 7.01 , shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:
 
(a) that the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.01 , and that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
 
(b) that the terms (or the manner of determining the terms) of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.03 , and that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
 
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, preference, reorganization, moratorium, rehabilitation, or similar laws and legal principles relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.
 
 
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The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
 
If any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.14 , such Security shall for all purposes of this Indenture be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights under Section 7.03 to deal with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.
 
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
 
SECTION 2.06 Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities of a series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), an office or agency where Securities of a series may be presented for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and, with respect to any series of Securities that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Securities, an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for conversion (the “ Conversion Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of each series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange (the “ Register ”). The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents or conversion agents for any series of Securities. With respect to any series of Securities, the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional co-registrar and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent.
 
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the applicable terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent and shall furnish the Trustee with an executed counterpart of any such agency agreement. With respect to any series of Securities, the Company at any time may replace any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent or change the location of any such office or agency without notice to any Holder. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such replacement or change in location. With respect to any series of Securities, if the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, if applicable, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07 . The Company or any Subsidiary incorporated or organized within the United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Registrar.
 
 
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Unless otherwise provided for a series of securities, the Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and, if applicable, Conversion Agent in connection with the Securities.
 
SECTION 2.07 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) for any series of Securities to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of such series and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent for any series of Securities, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
 
SECTION 2.08 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of any series of Securities. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of the relevant series of Securities.
 
SECTION 2.09 Transfer and Exchange. The Securities of any series shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and any reasonable regulations prescribed by the Company or the Registrar are met. When Securities (other than Global Securities) are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.
 
To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate at the Registrar’s request one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.
 
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange not involving any transfer pursuant to Section 3.07 ).
 
The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security of a series for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of redemption or of an offer to repurchase Securities of that series and ending at the close of business on the date of such mailing, or for a period beginning 15 Business Days before an interest payment date and ending on the close of business on such interest payment date, or of any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
 
 
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Except as otherwise provided or contemplated by Section 2.03 with respect to a series of Securities, prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
 
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
 
SECTION 2.10 Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Holder satisfies the reasonable requirements of the Company and the Trustee. If required by the Company or the Trustee, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond or other security sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any Conversion Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.
 
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.
 
SECTION 2.11 Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except to the extent provided in the last paragraph of this Section 2.11 , a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
 
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.10 , it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
 
If the Paying Agent for a series of Securities holds on a redemption date or the Maturity Date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities of such series (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
 
If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01 , it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
 
 
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Securities with respect to which the Company has effected legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Eight , cease to be outstanding except to the extent provided in Sections 8.03 and 8.04 .
 
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 6.02 , (B) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 2.03 on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in Clause (A) above) of such Security, and (C) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Trust Officer knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (C) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
 
SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.
 
SECTION 2.13 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security .
 
(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.05 , authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect (or to such effect as may be required by the Depositary):
 
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
 
 
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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
 
(b) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”), and any owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security, shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to or under such Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depositary or its nominee as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
 
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 2.03 , no Global Security may be transferred to, or registered or exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee thereof, and no such transfer may be registered, except as provided in this paragraph. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security, except as provided in this paragraph. If (1) (A) the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and (B) a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, (2) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of such series and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue certificated securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Securities of such series (in which case the Company shall deliver certificated securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company determines in its sole discretion that Securities of a series issued in global form shall no longer be represented by a Global Security, then such Global Security may be exchanged by such Depositary for certificated Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, registered in the names of, and the transfer of such Global Security or portion thereof may be registered to, such Persons as such Depositary shall direct.
 
 
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(d) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, or interest therein, Agent Member or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Agent Member, with respect to any ownership interest in Global Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities.
 
SECTION 2.14 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in its customary manner and upon written request shall deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. Any Securities purchased by the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, be reissued or resold or may, at its option, be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, except as expressly permitted by the terms of the Securities of any series.
 
SECTION 2.15 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series as permitted by Section 2.03 , defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) at the rate borne by such Securities in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
 
SECTION 2.16 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
 
ARTICLE THREE
 
REDEMPTION
 
SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article. Unless otherwise provided for a series of Securities, the provisions of Sections 3.02 through 3.07 shall be applicable to Securities of any series which are redeemable in accordance with their terms before their Maturity Date.
 
 
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SECTION 3.02 Notice to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem all or any part of a series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of such Securities or a supplemental indenture relating to such Securities, it shall furnish to the Trustee and the Registrar, at least 45 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (unless the Trustee consents in writing to a shorter period), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities of each series to be redeemed and the redemption price for each series of Securities to be redeemed.
 
SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Securities of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the particular Securities of such series to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or, if the Securities of such series are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that complies with the requirements of such exchange; provided , however , that no Securities with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Securities and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000, except that if all of the Securities of a series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of such Securities held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of any series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of such series called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities selected for redemption.
 
SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption. (a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address. The notice shall state:
 
(1) the redemption date;
 
(2) the redemption price;
 
(3) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being redeemed;
 
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent at the address specified in such notice to collect the redemption price, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;
 
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price or any accrued interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive payment of the redemption price in respect of the Securities upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities;
 
 
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(7) if fewer than all of the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the Security or Securities being redeemed;
 
(8) the CUSIP number, if any, of the Securities to be redeemed; and
 
(9) any other information required by such Securities or a supplemental indenture relating to such Securities.
 
(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption required in Section 3.04(a) in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least 15 days prior to the date on which the Company requests that the Trustee give such notice (unless the Trustee consents in writing to a shorter notice period), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.04(a) .
 
SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 , Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that installments of interest that are due and payable on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, registered as such, at the close of business on the relevant record date for the payment of such installment of interest. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
 
SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m., ________ time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) funds available on the redemption date sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date on, the Securities to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money so deposited which is not required for that purpose upon the written request of the Company, except with respect to monies owed as obligations to the Trustee pursuant to Article Seven .
 
Unless the Company defaults in making such payment, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the applicable redemption date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest will continue to be payable on the unpaid principal and any premium including from the redemption date until such principal and any premium is paid, and, to the extent lawful, on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities and in Section 4.01 hereof.
 
 
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SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is to be redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Company, a new Security equal in aggregate amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
 
SECTION 3.08 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The provisions of Sections 3.08 and 3.09 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.
 
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ mandatory sinking fund payment ,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ optional sinking fund payment .” Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
 
In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company and (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities; provided , that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in the terms of such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
 
SECTION 3.09 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency in which the Securities of such series are denominated and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.08 (which Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Failure of the Company to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Securities as provided in Section 3.08 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.
 
 
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The Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 , and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.04 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.06 .
 
ARTICLE FOUR
 
COVENANTS
 
SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of such series on the dates and in the manner provided in the terms of the Securities of such series and this Indenture. Principal or redemption price, and any premium and interest with respect to a series of Securities shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay such principal, redemption price, premium and interest as is then due with respect to such series of Securities.
 
The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal, and any premium, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series (or at the rate prescribed therefor in the terms of the Securities of such series) to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
 
SECTION 4.02 SEC Reports. The Company, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of any such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that any such annual reports, information, documents or other reports filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or “EDGAR”) system shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC (to the extent such filings are accepted by the SEC) and provide the Trustee with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
 
 
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SECTION 4.03 Compliance Certificates .
 
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and the Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of such Officers’ knowledge, each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officers may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).
 
(b) The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default or default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
 
SECTION 4.04 Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, an office or agency where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 13.02 or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
 
Subject to Section 2.03 , the Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 2.03 , the Company hereby initially designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities __________________, and initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent at its corporate trust office located at ___________________ as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose in such city.
 
 
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SECTION 4.05 Continued Existence . Except as permitted by Article Five and Section 10.03 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve  and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company.
 
SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
 
SECTION 4.07 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
 
SECTION 4.08 Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.
 
(a) The Company shall cause all properties used or held for use in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided , however , that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any such property, or disposing of it, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
 
(b) The Company shall provide or cause to be provided insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds that, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, are adequate and appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Company in a prudent manner, with reputable insurers or with the government of the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and by such methods as shall be customary, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, for corporations similarly situated in the industry.
 
 
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SECTION 4.09 Limitation on Liens Securing Funded Debt.
 
(a) Unless otherwise provided for in respect of a series of Securities, the Company covenants, for the benefit of each series of Securities that is not designated as a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, that (i) it will not create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the properties of the Company and (ii) it will not create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon the Capital Stock, unless (as to each of clauses (i) and (ii)) such Securities or the Guarantee (if any) the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Securities of any series) are equally and ratably secured for so long as such Funded Debt shall be so secured; provided , that if such Funded Debt is expressly subordinated to the Securities of a series or any related Guarantee, the Lien securing such Funded Debt will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing such Securities or such Guarantee.
 
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.09(a) , the Company may create, incur or assume Funded Debt secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions of such section, if the aggregate principal amount of such Funded Debt and all other Funded Debt of the Company created, incurred or assumed pursuant to the exception in this Section 4.09(b) and outstanding at such time does not exceed 15% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.
 
ARTICLE FIVE
 
SUCCESSORS
 
SECTION 5.01 When Company May Merge, etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any Person or sell, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:
 
(1) the Company survives such merger or the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or that acquires by sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, or which leases, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof (a “ Successor ”), and expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, all the Securities and the performance of every other covenant and obligation of the Company under this Indenture; provided , that unless the Successor is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Securities shall be added hereto by the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture by such co-issuer; and
 
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists.
 
In connection with any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition contemplated by this Section 5.01 , the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.
 
 
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SECTION 5.02 Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation, merger, lease, conveyance or transfer in accordance with Section 5.01 , the Trustee shall be notified by the Company or the Successor, and the Successor formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such lease, conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company herein and thereafter (except in the case of a lease) the predecessor will be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
 
ARTICLE SIX
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
SECTION 6.01 Events of Default. An “ Event of Default ” occurs in respect of Securities of any series upon:
 
(1) default by the Company in the payment of principal of, or any premium on, the Securities of such series when due and payable at Maturity;
 
(2) default by the Company in the payment of any installment of interest on the Securities of such series when due and payable and continuance of such default for 30 days;
 
(3) default on any other Indebtedness of the Company if either (A) such default results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness having a principal amount of $___________ or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness the maturity of which has been so accelerated, in the aggregate, or (B) such default results from the failure to pay when due principal of any such Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable grace period (a “ Payment Default ”), having a principal amount of $____________ or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, in the aggregate; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration is rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond any applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequent acceleration of the Securities shall be rescinded, so long as any such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree or applicable provision of law;
 
(4) default in the performance, or breach of, any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture applicable to Securities of such series and, in each such case, failure to remedy such default within a period of 60 days after written notice thereof from the Trustee or Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the Securities of such series; provided , however , that the Company shall have 90 days after the receipt of such  notice to remedy, or receive a waiver for, any failure to comply with its obligations under this Indenture so long as the Company is attempting to cure such failure as promptly as reasonably practicable;
 
 
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(5) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
 
(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding,
 
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,
 
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
 
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
 
(E) admits in writing that it generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due;
 
(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(A) is for relief (with respect to the petition commencing such case) against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an involuntary case or proceeding,
 
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property, or
 
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company,
 
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
 
(7) any other Event of Default provided with regard to Securities of a particular series in the terms thereof.
 
The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
 
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SECTION 6.02 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) or (6)) under Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a series, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may declare the unpaid principal of (or, if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of such series then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee, if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal (or other specified amount), and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 above occurs, all unpaid principal of, and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Securities then outstanding will become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
 
The Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series with respect to which a declaration of acceleration has been made, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (1) the Company has paid or deposited with such Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue installments of interest on all the Securities of such series, (B) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on the defaulted interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series, and (D) all money paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of such series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture; and (3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. No such rescission will affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Securities, the Trustee may, but is not obligated to, pursue, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal or interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture. If an Event of Default specified under clauses (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company at a time when the Company is the Paying Agent, the Trustee shall assume the duties of Paying Agent.
 
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
 
 
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SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02 , the Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences, except an Event of Default under clauses (1) and (2) of Section 6.01 .
 
SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee with respect to Securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by such Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.
 
SECTION 6.06 Limitation on Remedies. No Holder of any of the Securities of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, to appoint a receiver or trustee or to pursue any remedy under this Indenture, unless:
 
(1) such Holder has previously given notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series,
 
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series have made written request to such Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture,
 
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to such Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request,
 
(4) such Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any proceeding, and
 
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to such Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series.
 
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over other Holders.
 
SECTION 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Holder of any Securities will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Securities on the Maturity therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right may not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
 
 
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SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default in payment of principal or any premium or interest specified in paragraphs (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 in respect of a series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own  name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal and any premium and interest then due and remaining unpaid with respect to the Securities of such series, and interest on overdue principal and any premium, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
 
SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
 
(a) The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, their creditors or their property and may collect and receive any money or securities or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.
 
(b) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
 
SECTION 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six with respect to Securities of any series, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
 
First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 ;
 
Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of such series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal and interest, respectively; and
 
Third: to the Company.
 
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10 .
 
SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 , or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.
 
 
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ARTICLE SEVEN
 
TRUSTEE
 
SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
 
(a) If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of such series such rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in such exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
 
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:
 
(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth (or incorporated by reference) in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and no others.
 
(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to the Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
 
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
 
(1) This paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
 
(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
 
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable to Holders of Securities of a series with respect to action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it from Holders of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 6.05 , and the Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to request such a direction.
 
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
 
 
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(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right, duty or power hereunder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense. No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur 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 to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
 
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 7.01 :
 
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, to the extent reasonably required by such inquiry or investigation at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
 
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
 
(c) The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
 
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers under this Indenture.
 
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and reliance thereon.
 
(f) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
 
 
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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
 
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder.
 
(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
 
(j) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.
 
SECTION 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11 .
 
SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any prospectus, offering or solicitation documents, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.
 
SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 13.02 a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in any payment on any Security of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its board of directors, executive committee or a trust committee of officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of such series.
 
SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each April 1, beginning with the April 1 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such April 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a), but only if such report is required in any year under TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities are listed and with the Company. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities become listed on any national securities exchange or of any delisting thereof.
 
 
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SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company agrees to pay the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon from time to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust). The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it. Such expenses shall include when applicable the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
 
The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to institute any suit, or take any remedial action under this Indenture, or to enter any appearance or in any way defend any suit in which it may be a defendant, or to take any steps in the execution of the trusts created hereby or thereby or in the enforcement of any rights and powers under this Indenture, until it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction against any and all expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provisions of this Indenture, including compensation for services, costs, expenses, outlays, counsel fees and other disbursements, and against all liability (including fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 7.08) determined not to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct. The Company agrees to indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance and administration of the trust and its duties hereunder as Trustee, Registrar and/or Paying Agent, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including with respect to this Section 7.07 ) and of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim of which a Trust Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity; however, the failure of the Trustee to promptly notify the Company shall not limit its right to indemnification. The Company shall defend each such claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may retain separate counsel and the Company shall reimburse the Trustee for the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
 
The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability, claim or damage incurred by the Trustee determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct. To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to that of the Holders of the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on, or the redemption price of, particular Securities. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.07 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.
 
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 , the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
 
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The benefits of this section shall survive termination of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee.
 
SECTION 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Company may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Securities. The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
 
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 ;
 
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;
 
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting as Trustee hereunder.
 
If the Trustee for a series of Securities resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of such series of Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee for such series appointed by the Company.
 
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Immediately after that and upon payment of its charges hereunder, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 , the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder of Securities of the applicable series.
 
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of any applicable series of Securities may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for such series.
 
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 , any Holder of Securities of the applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(a)(5).
 
SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation or national association, the successor corporation or national association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided that such corporation or national association shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article and shall notify the Company of its successor hereunder.
 
 
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SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee which satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall also comply with TIA Section 310(b).
 
SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
 
ARTICLE EIGHT
 
DEFEASANCE
 
SECTION 8.01 Applicability of Article . The provisions of this Article Eight shall be applicable to each series of Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.
 
SECTION 8.02 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, with respect to the Securities of a series, elect to exercise its rights pursuant to either Section 8.03 or 8.04 with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight .
 
SECTION 8.03 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series on the date all conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of the applicable series and any Guarantees thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.06 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 8.03 , and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive such satisfaction and discharge until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.06 , and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.06 , 2.09 , 2.10 , 2.12 and 4.04 , (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith (including, but not limited to, Section 7.07 ) and (d) this Article Eight . Subject to compliance  with this Article Eight , the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.03 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.04 with respect to the Securities of a series.
 
 
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SECTION 8.04 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.04 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.02 , 4.03 , 4.07 , 4.08 and 4.09 and Article Five with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of the applicable series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 , but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.04 , with respect to a series of Securities, clauses (3) through (7) of Section 6.01 shall not constitute Events of Default with regard to such Securities.
 
SECTION 8.05 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 8.03 or Section 8.04 to the outstanding Securities of a series:
 
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or cause to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Eight applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, (a) cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (b) U.S. Government Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (c) a combination thereof, in such amounts, as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay (i) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the outstanding Securities of such series on each date on which such principal or any premium or interest is due and payable or on any redemption date established pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 8.06 , and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Securities to said payments with respect to the Securities of such series;
 
 
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(b) In the case of an election under Section 8.03 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(c) In the case of an election under Section 8.04 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(d) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);
 
(e) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, and if the Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to Article Eleven , is not prohibited by Article Eleven ;
 
(f) In the case of any election under Section 8.03 or 8.04 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 8.03 or 8.04 was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
 
(g) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 8.03 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 8.04 (as the case may be) have been complied with as contemplated by this Section 8.05 .
 
SECTION 8.06 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.07 , all money and U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.06 , the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.05 in respect of the outstanding Securities of a series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
 
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The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.05 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.
 
Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any money or U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.05 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.05(a) ), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
 
Before or after the deposit pursuant to Section 8.05(b) , the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities of such series at a future date pursuant to Article Three .
 
SECTION 8.07 Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, whether pursuant to this Article Eight or otherwise, in trust for the payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, or redemption price or mandatory sinking fund payment on, any Security which has remained unclaimed for two years after such principal and any premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request (unless an abandoned property law designates another Person) or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
 
SECTION 8.08 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.03 or 8.04 , as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining, or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of the applicable series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with this Article Eight ; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or redemption price or mandatory sinking fund payment on, any Security of such  series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. In the event the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of a series are revived and reinstated pursuant to this Section 8.08 , then this Indenture that was released as a result of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this Article Eight shall be revived and reinstated as though such release had not occurred.
 
 
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ARTICLE NINE
 
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders .
 
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or consent of any Holder:
 
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; provided that such modification shall not adversely affect the Holders of any series in any material respect;
 
(2) to comply with Sections 5.01 and 10.03 ;
 
(3) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall not be effective as to Securities of any series outstanding prior to the date of such amendment or supplement;
 
(4) to establish the forms or terms of the Securities of any series issued hereunder;
 
(5) to evidence the acceptance or appointment by a separate Trustee or successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities or otherwise;
 
(6) in the case of any Securities that are designated as Subordinated Debt Securities, to make any change in Article Ten that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article Ten ;
 
(7) to reflect the addition or release of any Guarantor, as provided for by this Indenture, or to secure any of the Securities or the Guarantees;
 
(8) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
 
(9) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to certificated Securities;
 
 
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(10) to make provisions with respect to the conversion of Securities of any series that are convertible in accordance with the terms of such Securities; or
 
(11) to make any change that would provide any additional benefit or rights to the Holders of such series or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of such series in any material respect.
 
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 , the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.
 
SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02 , the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplement, considered together as a single class.
 
For purposes of this Indenture, the consent of the Holder of a Global Security shall be deemed to include any consent delivered by any member of, or participant in, the Depositary or such other depositary institution hereinafter appointed by the Company by electronic means in accordance with the Automated Tender Offer Procedures system or other customary procedures of, and pursuant to authorization by, such entity.
 
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate described in Section 9.06 , the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture.
 
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
 
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby, considered together as a single class, may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of any series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities). However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section may not:
 
(1) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of any provision of this Indenture or the Securities;
 
 
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(2) reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, if any, on the Securities of any series;
 
(3) reduce the principal amount of any Security or change the Maturity Date of the Securities of any series;
 
(4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Security;
 
(5) adversely affect the conversion rights of any Security that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Security;
 
(6) waive any Event of Default under clauses (1) and (2) of Section 6.01 ;
 
(7) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in such Security;
 
(8) impair the right of Holders of Securities of any series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on Securities on the respective due dates therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment;
 
(9) make any change in Sections 6.04 or 6.07 or in this sentence of this Section 9.02 .
 
An amendment, supplement or waiver which changes, waives or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
 
SECTION 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
 
SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security. For such revocation to be effective, the Trustee must receive the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.
 
 
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The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If the  Company elects to fix a record date for such purpose, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.08 , or (ii) such other date as the Company shall designate. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consent from the Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment, supplement or waiver to be effective also shall have been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.
 
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 . In that case the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.
 
SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security of any series, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.
 
SECTION 9.06 Trustee Protected. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights of the Trustee. If it does adversely affect the rights of the Trustee, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Article Seven ) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate of the Company stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by and complies with this Indenture.
 
 
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ARTICLE TEN
 
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
 
SECTION 10.01 Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate . The provisions of this Article Ten shall be applicable only to the Securities, and any related Guarantee of such Securities, of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03 , as subordinated to Senior Indebtedness pursuant to this Article Ten (the Securities of such series being referred to  herein as the “ Subordinated Debt Securities ”). Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security agrees that the Indebtedness evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Security and the related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Security is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article Ten , to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness. All provisions of this Article Ten shall be subject to Section 10.12
 
SECTION 10.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy .
 
(a) Of the Company . Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:
 
(i) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against the Company in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities; and
 
(ii) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, any such distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would be entitled but for this Article Ten shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive securities representing Capital Stock of the Company and any debt securities of the Company that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.
 
 
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SECTION 10.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness .
 
(a) As to the Company . The Company may not pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities or make any deposit pursuant to Article Eight with respect to such Subordinated Debt Securities and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.08 , by the delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities by the Company to the Trustee pursuant to Sections 3.08 and 3.09 ) any Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, “ pay the Subordinated Debt Securities ”) if (i) any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due, including any applicable grace period (including at Maturity) or (ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and the Maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided , however , that the Company may pay the Subordinated Debt Securities without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the Maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Subordinated Debt Securities for a period (a “ Payment Blockage Period ”) commencing upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “ Blockage Notice ”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 10.03(a) ), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the Maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period; provided , however , that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 10.03(a) , no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
 
 
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SECTION 10.04 Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities . If payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.
 
SECTION 10.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over . If a distribution is made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities that because of this Article Ten should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive such distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
 
SECTION 10.06 Subrogation . After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders thereof shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article Ten to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities is not, as between the Company and such Holders, a payment by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, on Senior Indebtedness.
 
SECTION 10.07 Relative Rights . This Article Ten defines the relative rights of Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall:
 
(a) impair, as between the Company and Holders of either Subordinated Debt Securities or Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Securities in accordance with their terms; or
 
(b) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of either Subordinated Debt Securities or Securities from exercising its respective available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
SECTION 10.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company . No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by any Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.
 
SECTION 10.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent . Notwithstanding Section 10.03 , the Trustee or any paying agent may continue to make payments on Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer receives notice satisfactory to the Trustee that payments may not be made under this Article Ten . The Company, the Registrar, any paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided , however , that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness of that issue.
 
 
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The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and any paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Ten with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article Seven shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article Ten shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 .
 
SECTION 10.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative . Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).
 
SECTION 10.11 Article Ten Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate . The failure to make a payment pursuant to any Subordinated Debt Securities, whether directly or pursuant to a Guarantee, by reason of any provision in this Article Ten shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article Ten shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the Maturity of either the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Securities, as the case may be.
 
SECTION 10.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Eight by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article Ten , and none of the Holders thereof shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.
 
SECTION 10.13 Trustee Entitled to Rely . Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Ten , the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02 are pending, upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders or upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Ten . In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Ten , the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of  such Person under this Article Ten , and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Ten .
 
 
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SECTION 10.14 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . Each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, by its acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article Ten and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
 
SECTION 10.15 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions . Each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, by its acceptance thereof, acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.
 
ARTICLE ELEVEN
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
SECTION 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities or conversion of such Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:
 
(a) either
 
(1) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.10 , and (ii) such Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been, as provided in Section 2.07 , deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 8.07 ) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(2) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
 
(A) have become due and payable,
 
 
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(B) will become due and payable at their Maturity within one year, or
 
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
 
and the Company in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for this purpose an amount of money in the currency or currency units in which such Securities are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, and any premium and interest thereon, to the Maturity Date or applicable redemption date, as the case may be in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities;
 
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
 
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
 
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, (i) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 7.08 shall survive, (ii) the obligations of the Company in Sections 2.06 , 2.07 , 2.08 , 2.09 , 2.10 and 2.11 and in Article 8 and this Article 11 shall survive until such Securities have been repaid in full, and (iii) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (2) of subsection (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and/or the Trustee under Sections 2.08 , 4.04 , 7.01(f) , 8.07 and 12.02 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
 
SECTION 11.02 Application of Trust Money . Subject to the provisions of Section 8.07 , all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
 
ARTICLE TWELVE
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
SECTION 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. Whether prior to or following the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c) upon an indenture qualified under the TIA, the imposed duties shall control under this Indenture.
 
 
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SECTION 12.02 Notices. Any notice or communication to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee or any Agent shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), facsimile, telecopier or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:
 
If to the Company:
 
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
Attention: Treasurer
Fax: (214) 221-4610
 
If to the Trustee or any Agent:

____________________________

_____________________________

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Fax:
 
The Company or the Trustee or any Agent by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its reasonable discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reasonable reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of incidents of actual use by the Company of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception by third parties.
 
 
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All notices and communications described above shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
 
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the address for such Holder appearing on the Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
 
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. If the Company mails notice or communications to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice also shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.
 
SECTION 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and any Agent shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
 
SECTION 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 ) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
 
(2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.
 
SECTION 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
 
(1) a statement that each person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
 
 
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(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
 
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
 
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
 
SECTION 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for actions taken by, or meetings or consents of, Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules for its functions.
 
SECTION 12.07 Legal Holidays. A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banks and trust companies in The City of New York are not required by law or executive order to be open. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at such place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, without additional interest.
 
SECTION 12.08 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES.
 
SECTION 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
SECTION 12.10 No Recourse Against Others. Obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Securities hereunder are payable only out of the respective cash flow and assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Trustee, and each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have agreed in this Indenture that no director, officer, employee, or shareholder, as such, of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing entities shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Guarantees or such Securities by reason of his, her or its status. The agreements set forth in this Section are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
 
 
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SECTION 12.11 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
 
SECTION 12.12 Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same instrument.
 
SECTION 12.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
SECTION 12.14 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
 
SECTION 12.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 
COMPANY:
   
 
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
     
 
By:
 
 
Name
Martin M. Van Brauman
 
Title:
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Corporate Secretary
 
 
TRUSTEE:
   
 
THE BANK OF
 
 
AS TRUSTEE
     
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory
 
 
59

Exhibit 5.1

[Opinion of Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.]
 
 
 March ­­13, 2014
 
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231

Re:     Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration, on Form S-3, as amended (the "Amended Registration Statement"), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the offering and sale from time to time, as set forth in the Amended Registration Statement, the form of prospectus contained therein (the "Prospectus"), and one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus Supplement"), by the Company of up to approximately $119,850,000 aggregate offering price of securities consisting of (i) shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) debt securities, in one or more series, consisting of either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), (iii) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Common Stock, or Debt Securities, or (iv) units consisting of Common Stock, Debt Securities or Warrants, or any combination thereof, in one or more series (the "Units"). The Common Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

We have examined originals or certified copies of such corporate records of the Company and other certificates and documents of officials of the Company, public officials and others as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of this letter. We have also examined the Indenture, which is Exhibit 4.2 to the Amended Registration Statement. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of each natural person signing any document reviewed by us, the authority of each person signing in a representative capacity (other than the Company) any document reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all copies submitted to us or filed with the Commission as conformed and certified or reproduced copies. As to any facts material to our opinion, we have made no independent investigation of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers or other representatives of the Company.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.     With respect to Securities constituting Common Stock to be sold by the Company, when (i) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the issuance of such Common Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (ii) such Common Stock has been issued and delivered, with certificates representing such Common Stock having been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered or, if uncertificated, valid book - entry notations therefor having been made in the share register of the Company, in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement or, if such Common Stock is issuable upon exchange or conversion of Securities constituting Debt Securities, or upon the exercise of Warrants, the applicable Definitive Indenture (as defined below) or warrant agreement therefor, against payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Common Stock (including any Common Stock duly issued upon exchange or conversion of any Securities constituting Debt Securities that is exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock or upon exercise of Warrants that are exercisable to purchase Common Stock) will have been duly authorized and validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

2.     With respect to the Warrants, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (ii) the warrant agreement or agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent appointed by the Company; and (iii) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate warrant agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Warrants will be validly issued and will be a valid and binding obligation of the Company and will be entitled to the benefits of the applicable warrant agreement relating to the Warrants.
 
 
 

 

3.     With respect to Securities constituting Debt Securities, when (i) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the issuance of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (ii) the applicable Definitive Indenture in substantially the form of the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Amended Registration Statement and any supplemental indenture thereto relating to such Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto with the Definitive Indenture or such supplemental indenture having been completed to include the terms of such Debt Securities, (iii) the trustee under the applicable Definitive Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), and (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Definitive Indenture and the applicable resolution of the Board or supplemental indenture relating to such Debt Securities and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, against payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Debt Securities will have been duly authorized by   all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will be entitled to the benefits of the applicable Definitive Indenture.

The opinions and other matters in this letter are qualified in their entirety and subject to the following:

A.  With respect to the opinions above, we have assumed that, in the case of each offering and sale of Securities, (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) the Amended Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective under the Act and, if such Securities constitute Debt Securities, the applicable Definitive Indenture will have been qualified under the TIA and such effectiveness or qualification shall not have been terminated or rescinded; (iii) a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing such Securities; (iv) such Securities will have been issued and sold in compliance with   applicable United States federal and state securities Laws (hereinafter defined) and pursuant to and in the manner stated in the Amended Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement; (v) unless such Securities constitute Common Stock, or Debt Securities issuable upon exchange or conversion of Securities constituting Common Stock or  Common Stock or, a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to the issuance and sale of such Securities will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vi) the form of indenture for senior debt securities (the "Senior Indenture") to be entered into between the Company and a trustee, in the form to be included as an exhibit to the amendment to the Registration Statement, and the form of indenture for subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Indenture," and together with the Senior Indenture, the "Definitive Indentures," and each, a “Definitive Indenture") to be entered into between the Company and a trustee, in the forms to be included as exhibits to the amendment to the Registration Statement, together with any supplemental indenture relating to a series of Debt Securities to be issued under any of the Definitive Indentures, will each be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto; (vii) at the time of the issuance of such Securities,  (a) the Company will validly exist and be duly qualified and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and (b) the Company will have the necessary corporate power and due authorization; (viii) the terms of such Securities and of their   issuance and sale will have been established in conformity with and so as not to violate, or result in a default under or breach of, the Certificate of Incorporation (together “ Charter Documents” ) and bylaws of the Company and any applicable law or any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company and, if such Securities constitute Debt Securities, in conformity with the applicable Definitive Indenture and the applicable resolution of the Board or supplemental indenture relating to such Debt Securities; (ix)  if such Securities constitute Common Stock issuable upon exchange or conversion of Securities constituting Debt Securities, the action with respect to such Debt Securities referred to in Paragraph  3   above will have been taken; (x) if such Securities constitute Common Stock or issuable upon exercise of Warrants, the action with respect to such Warrants referred to in Paragraph 2  above will have been taken; (xi) if such Securities constitute Debt Securities that are exchangeable for or convertible into Securities constituting Common Stock, the Company will have then taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the issuance of such Common Stock upon exchange or conversion of such Debt Securities, the terms of such exchange or conversion and related matters and to reserve such Common Stock for issuance upon such exchange or conversion; (xii) if such Securities constitute Warrants that are exercisable for Securities constituting  Common Stock or, the Company will have then taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the issuance of such Common Stock upon exercise of such Warrants, the terms of such exercise and related matters and to reserve such Common Stock for issuance upon such exercise; and (xiii) if such Securities constitute Debt Securities, the applicable Indenture will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than the Company, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.
 
 
 

 

 
B.   This letter is limited to matters governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, including the Delaware General Corporation Law, the laws of the State of New York of the jurisdiction governing the Indenture, and the State of Texas, including the statutory provisions and reported judicial decisions interpreting such law  ("Laws").

C.  This letter is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume herein no obligation, and hereby disclaim any obligation, to make any inquiry after the date hereof or to advise you of any future changes in the foregoing or of any fact or circumstance that may hereafter come to our attention.

D.  The matters expressed in this letter are subject to and qualified and limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), (iii) commercial reasonableness and unconscionability and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (iv) the power of the courts to award damages in lieu of equitable remedies, (v) securities Laws and public policy underlying such Laws with respect to rights to indemnification and contribution, and (vi) with respect to any Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than United States dollars, the requirement that   a claim (or a foreign currency judgment in respect of such a claim) with respect to such Securities be converted to United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or governmental authority.

We express no opinions concerning (i) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indenture or any Definitive Indenture that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law or (ii) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Amended Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Amended Registration Statement and in the Prospectus and in any supplement thereto. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 
   
/s/ Mark Wigder
 
   
Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.
 
 

 
Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. of our report dated April 15, 2005 (except for the first paragraph in Note 1B as to which the date is July 26, 2006) relating to our audits of the financial statements, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2013.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Lane Gorman Trubitt, PLLC

Dallas, Texas
March 13, 2014
 
Exhibit 23.3
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

We consent to the use of our report dated March 16, 2011, with respect to the statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (a development stage company) for the period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2010 , incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.   

Our report dated March 16, 2011 contains an explanatory paragraph that states that Zion Oil & Gas Inc. is in the development stage and has no operating revenue, limited capital resources and a loss from operations, all of which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

Somekh Chaikin
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
A Member of KPMG International

Tel Aviv, Israel
March 13, 2014
 

Exhibit 23.4

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 6, 2014, with respect to the audited financial statements of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (a development stage company) as of and for the years December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2013.

We also consent to the references to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.   

/s/ Malone Bailey LLP
www.malone-bailey.com
Houston, Texas
March 13, 2014