UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report  ( Date of earliest event reported ) :   October 14 , 2015  

 

 

Sanchez Production Partners L P  

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

001-33147

 

11-3742489

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1000 Main Street, Suite 30 00

Houston, TX

77002

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip-Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: ( 713 783 - 80 00

None

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 


 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Gas Gathering and Processing Agreement

On October 14, 2015, in connection with consummating the acquisition pursuant to the Purchase Agreement described below in Item 2.01, Catarina Midstream, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanchez Production Partners LP (the “ Partnership ”), entered into that certain Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement (the “ Gathering Agreement ”) with SN Catarina, LLC (the “ Seller ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanchez Energy Corporation (“ Sanchez Energy ”).  Pursuant to the 15-year Gathering Agreement, the Seller has agreed to tender all of its crude petroleum, natural gas and other hydrocarbon-based product volumes on approximately 35,000 dedicated acres in the Western Catarina area of the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas for processing and transportation through the gathering system, with the potential to tender additional volumes outside of the dedicated acreage.  During the first five years of the term, the Seller be required to meet a minimum quarterly volume delivery commitment of 10,200 barrels per day of crude oil and condensate and 142,000 Mcf per day of natural gas, subject to certain adjustments.  The Seller will be required to pay gathering and processing fees of $0.96 per barrel for crude oil and condensate and $0.74 per Mcf for natural gas that are tendered through the gathering system, in each case, subject to an annual escalation for a positive increase in the consumer price index.

The foregoing description of the Gathering Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Gathering Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Amended Credit Agreement

A description of the Amended Credit Agreement is included in Item 2.03 below and incorporated herein by reference.

Board Representation and Standstill Agreement

On October 14, 2015, the Partnership and Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), entered into a Board Representation and Standstill Agreement (the “ Board Representation and Standstill Agreement ”) with the Purchaser (as defined below).  Pursuant to the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, the Partnership and the General Partner have agreed to permit the Purchaser to designate two persons to serve on the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the “ Board ”), and the Partnership and the General Partner are required take all actions necessary or advisable to effect such designations.  The right to designate one Board member will immediately terminate on such date as the Purchaser no longer owns at least 25% of the outstanding Class B Preferred Units issued to the Purchaser (described below in Item 3.02); and the right to designate the second Board member will immediately terminate on such date as no Class B Preferred Units are outstanding.  The Purchaser also has the right to appoint the three independent members to the Board if all of the Class B Preferred Units have not been redeemed by December 31, 2021, with such right continuing until all Class B Preferred Units have been redeemed.

In addition, the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement provides that until the earlier of March 31, 2019 or the existing holders of the General Partner cease to own more than 50% thereof or otherwise control the General Partner, the Purchaser will not, among other things:  (i) acquire any additional equity or debt securities of the Partnership; (ii) enter into any transaction the effect of which would be to “short” any securities of the Partnership; (iii) call (or participate in a group calling) a meeting of the limited partners of the Partnership for the purpose of removing the General Partner; (iv) solicit any proxies or votes for or in support of (a) the removal of the General Partner or (b) the election of any successor general partner of the Partnership, in each case without the Partnership’s consent; or (v) control or influence the management, Board or policies of the Partnership, except through the designated directors to the Board.

The foregoing description of the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Class B Preferred Unit Registration Rights Agreement

On October 14, 2015, the Partnership entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) with the Purchaser relating to the registered resale of common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership (“ Common Units ”) issuable upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Units.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, with respect to Common Units issuable upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Units, the Partnership has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to prepare and file a registration statement (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) upon request of the holders of Class B Preferred Units and to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective no later than 210 days after such request is made (the “ Target Effective Date ”). 

If the Registration Statement is not declared effective prior to the Target Effective Date, the Partnership will pay liquidated damages to each holder at the rate of 0.25% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for the first 60 days following the Target Effective Date, increasing by an additional 0.25%


 

of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for each subsequent 60 days (i.e., 0.5% for 61-120 days, 0.75% for 121-180 days and 1.0% thereafter), up to a maximum of 1.00% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period. 

In certain circumstances, the holders of Class B Preferred Units will have piggyback registration rights as described in the Registration Rights Agreement. 

    The foregoing description of the Class B Preferred Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such document, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On October 14, 2015, the Partnership consummated the acquisition of the midstream assets from the Seller as contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 25, 2015 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) among the Partnership, Sanchez Energy and the Seller, pursuant to which the Partnership acquired all of the Seller’s issued and outstanding membership interests in Catarina Midstream, LLC.   The assets owned by Catarina Midstream, LLC consist of equipment, pipelines, tanks, tangible personal property and associated assets and interests used for the gathering, transportation and plant separation of hydrocarbons from certain wells owned and operated by Seller and its affiliates located in Dimmit County and Webb County, Texas.  In addition, the assets consist of 105,263 Common Units, which were previously issued to SEP Holdings III, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanchez Energy, in March 2015.  The Partnership paid aggregate cash consideration, before any adjustments, of approximately $345.8 million to the Seller in connection with the acquisition, which purchase price was determined through arm’s length negotiations between the general partner of the Partnership and Sanchez Energy, including independent committees of both entities.  Antonio R. Sanchez, III, is the Sanchez Energy’s Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the board of directors of both Sanchez Energy and of the general partner of the Partnership.  Sanchez Oil and Gas Corporation (“SOG”) is a private company that provides certain services to both Sanchez Energy and the Partnership.  Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr., the father of Antonio R. Sanchez, III, is a member of the board of directors of Sanchez Energy and both are officers and directors of SOG.  Patricio D. Sanchez, the son of Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr. and brother of Antonio R. Sanchez, III, is an officer of SOG and an officer and director of the general partner of the Partnership.  Eduardo A. Sanchez, the son of Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr. and brother of Antonio R. Sanchez, III and Patricio D. Sanchez, is Sanchez Energy’s President and a director of the general partner of the Partnership.  Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr., Antonio R. Sanchez, III, Patricio D. Sanchez and Eduardo A. Sanchez all directly or indirectly own certain equity interests in Sanchez Energy, the Partnership and SOG.

The Partnership has determined that the acquisition described in this Item 2.01 does not constitute the purchase of a “business” within the meaning of Rule 11-01(d) of Regulation S-X and therefore, no financial statements, including pro forma financial information, are required to be filed in connection with the acquisition.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

On October 14, 2015, the Partnership, as borrower, entered into a Joinder, Assignment and Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the lenders party thereto (the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”), providing for a reserve-based credit facility with a maximum commitment of $500,000,000 and a maturity date of March 31, 2020. 

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by various mortgages of oil and natural gas properties that the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries own as well as various security and pledge agreements among the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries and the administrative agent. 

The amount available for borrowing at any one time under the Amended Credit Agreement is limited to the borrowing base for the Partnership’s oil and natural gas properties and the Partnership’s midstream assets.  Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are available for direct investment in oil and gas properties, acquisitions, and working capital and general business purposes.  The Amended Credit Agreement has a sub-limit of $15,000,000 which may be used for the issuance of letters of credit.  The initial borrowing base under the Amended Credit Agreement is $200,000,000.  The borrowing base for the credit available for the upstream oil and gas properties is re-determined semi-annually in the second and fourth quarters of the year, and may be re-determined at the Partnership’s request more frequently and by the lenders, in their sole discretion, based on reserve reports as prepared by petroleum engineers, using, among other things, the oil and natural gas pricing prevailing at such time.  The borrowing base for the credit available for the Partnership’s midstream properties is equal to the rolling four quarter EBITDA of the Partnership’s midstream operations multiplied by 5.0 initially, 4.75 for the second full quarter after the acquisition of the gathering system and 4.5 thereafter.  Outstanding borrowings in excess of the Partnership’s borrowing base must be repaid or the Partnership must pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral.  The Partnership may elect to pay any borrowing base deficiency in three equal monthly installments such that the deficiency is eliminated in a period of three months.  Any increase in the Partnership’s borrowing base must be approved by all of the lenders.


 

At the Partnership’s election, interest for borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are determined by reference to (i) the London interbank rate (“ LIBOR ”) plus an applicable margin between 1.75% and 2.75% per annum based on utilization or (ii) a domestic bank rate (“ ABR ”) plus an applicable margin between 0.75% and 1.75% per annum based on utilization plus (iii) a commitment fee between 0.375% and 0.500% per annum based on the unutilized borrowing base.  Interest on the borrowings for ABR loans and the commitment fee are generally payable quarterly.  Interest on the borrowings for LIBOR loans are generally payable at the applicable maturity date. 

The Amended Credit Agreement contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Partnership’s ability and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability to incur certain indebtedness, grant certain liens, merge or consolidate, sell all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, make certain loans, acquisitions, capital expenditures and investments, and pay distributions. 

    In addition, the Partnership is required to maintain the following financial covenants:

·

current assets to current liabilities of at least 1.0 to 1.0 at all times;

·

senior secured net debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, of not greater than 4.5 to 1.0 if the adjusted EBITDA of the Partnership’s midstream operations equals or exceeds one-third of total Adjusted EBITDA or 4.0 to 1.0 if the adjusted EBITDA of the Partnership’s midstream operations is less than one-third of total adjusted EBITDA; and

·

minimum interest coverage ratio of at least 2.5 to 1.0 if the adjusted EBITDA of the Partnership’s midstream operations is greater than one-third of the Partnership’s total adjusted EBITDA.

  The Amended Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, including events of default relating to non-payment of principal, interest or fees, inaccuracy of representations and warranties when made or when deemed made, violation of covenants, cross-defaults, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain unsatisfied judgments, loan documents not being valid and a change in control. A change in control is generally defined as the occurrence of one of the following events:  (i) the Partnership’s existing General Partner ceases to be the sole general partner of the Partnership or (ii) certain specified persons shall cease to own more than 50% of the equity interests of the General Partner or shall cease to control such General Partner. If an event of default occurs, the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the Credit Agreement and exercise other rights and remedies. 

The Amended Credit Agreement limits the Partnership’s ability to pay distributions to unitholders. The Partnership has the ability to pay distributions to unitholders from available cash, including cash from borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement, as long as no event of default exists and provided that no distributions to unitholders may be made if the borrowings outstanding, net of available cash, under the Amended Credit Agreement exceed 90% of the borrowing base, after giving effect to the proposed distribution. The Partnership’s available cash is reduced by any cash reserves established by the board of directors of the General Partner for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business and the payment of fees and expenses.

  The foregoing description of the Amended Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such document, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

On October 14, 2015, pursuant to that certain Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement dated September 25, 2015 (the “ Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement ”) between the Partnership and the purchaser named on Schedule A thereto (the “ Purchaser ”), the Partnership sold and the Purchaser purchased 19,444,445 of the Partnership’s newly created Class B Preferred Units (the “ Class B Preferred Units ”) in a privately negotiated transaction (the “ Private Placement ”) for an aggregate cash purchase price of $18.00 per Class B Preferred Units, which resulted in gross proceeds to the Partnership of $350,000,010.  The Partnership used the net proceeds to pay a portion of the consideration under the Purchase Agreement, along with the payment to the Purchaser of a fee equal to 2.25% of the consideration paid for the Class B Preferred Units. 

The issuance of the Class B Preferred Units pursuant to the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement was made in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof.  The Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by the Partnership and the Purchaser, and the parties have agreed to indemnify each other for losses resulting from the other party’s breach of any representations, warranties or covenants. 


 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Pursuant to the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, on October 14, 2015, Jack Howell and Luke Taylor were designated as directors of the Board of the General Partner by the Purchaser.  Such directors have waived their right to receive any compensation in connection with their service on the Board, other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

Partnership Agreement

On October 14, 2015, in connection with the Private Placement, the General Partner entered into the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “ Amended Partnership Agreement ”) to set forth the terms of the Class B Preferred Units.  

Distributions 

Under the terms of the Amended Partnership Agreement, commencing with the quarter ending on September 30, 2015, the Class B Preferred Units will receive a quarterly distribution of, at the election of the Board, 10.0% per annum if paid in full in cash or 12.0% per annum if paid in part cash (8.0% per annum) and in part paid-in-kind units (4.0% per annum).  In the event the Partnership does not raise at least $75,000,000 through the issuance of additional Common Units prior to September 30, 2016 (with the conversion of the Class A Preferred Units of the Partnership counting toward such amount) or if any Class A Preferred Units remain outstanding after March 31, 2016, the cash portion of the distribution rate will increase by 4.0% per annum until consummation of such issuance or conversion, as applicable.  Distributions are to be paid on or about the last day of each of February, May, August and November after the end of each quarter. 

Voting 

The Class B Preferred Units will have the same voting rights as the holders of the Common Units and shall vote together as a single class with the Common Units. 

Conversion 

The holders of Class B Preferred Units have the right at any time to request conversion in whole or in part of their Class B Preferred Units at the Conversion Rate, subject to the requirement to convert a minimum of $17,500,000 of Class B Preferred Units.  The “Conversion Rate” is equal to the quotient of (i) the aggregate purchase price for the Class B Preferred Units plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, divided by (ii) the lesser of (a) the purchase price for the Class B Preferred Units and (b) the volume weighted average price for which Common Units are issued by the Partnership during the period beginning on the Private Placement closing date and ending on the date on which the Partnership has issued Common Units (other than issuances pursuant to the Partnership’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) in exchange for cash in an aggregate amount equal to at least $75 million.

Redemption

The Partnership has the right to redeem the Class B Preferred Units as follows:

·

from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the Partnership can redeem 33.33% of the Class B Preferred Units at the greater of the current market price of the Common Units and 130% of the purchase price of the Class B Preferred Units plus accrued distributions;

 

·

from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Partnership can redeem 66.67% of the Class B Preferred Units (less any Class B Preferred Units previously redeemed) at the greater of the current market price of the Common Units and 120% of the purchase price of the Class B Preferred Units plus accrued distributions;

 

·

from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Partnership can redeem 100% of the Class B Preferred Units at the greater of the current market price of the Common Units and 110% of the purchase price of the Class B Preferred Units plus accrued distributions; and

 


 

·

from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, the Partnership can redeem 100% of the Class B Preferred Units at the greater of the current market price of the Common Units and the purchase price of the Class B Preferred Units plus accrued distributions.

 

Subject to the foregoing limitations, if all Class B Preferred Units are not redeemed by December 31, 2021, then the Partnership is restricted from making cash distributions on any other units until the Class B Preferred Units are redeemed in full as a result of a monthly sweep of adjusted available cash.

The foregoing description of the Amended Partnership Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such document, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference

Amendment to LLC Agreement

On October 14, 2015, in connection with the Board Representation Agreement described in Item 1.01 above, SP Holdings, LLC, as the sole member of the General Partner, entered into Amendment No. 2 to the General Partner’s Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “ LLC Agreement Amendment ”) to provide for the Purchaser’s right to designate members of the Board and to provide certain consent rights by such designees regarding, among other matters, certain indebtedness incurred by the Partnership or a change in control of the Partnership or the General Partner.

The foregoing description of the LLC Agreement Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such document, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On October 14, 2015, the Partnership issued a press release relating to the transactions described in this Form 8-K.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with consummating the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Partnership is updating its risk factors, as set forth in Exhibit 99.2 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit
Number

Description

 

    3 .1

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sanchez Production Partners LP

 3.2

Amendment No. 2 to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC

 4.1

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, between Sanchez Production Partners LP and the purchaser named therein

10.1

Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, by and between Catarina Midstream, LLC and SN Catarina, LLC *

10.2

Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, between Sanchez Production Partners LP and the purchaser named therein

10.3

Joinder, Assignment and Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, among Sanchez Production Partners LP, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto

99.1

Press Release, dated October 14, 2015

99. 2

Risk Factors


 

 *

The exhibits and schedules to the Purchase and Sale Agreement have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Partnership will furnish copies of such omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. Descriptions of such exhibits and schedules are set forth on page iii of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS L P

 

By: Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, its general  partner

 

 

 

Date: October 14 , 2015

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

 

 

 

 

Charles C. Ward

Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit
Number

Description

 

    3 .1

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sanchez Production Partners LP

 3.2

Amendment No. 2 to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC

 4.1

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, between Sanchez Production Partners LP and the purchaser named therein

10.1

Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, by and between Catarina Midstream, LLC and SN Catarina, LLC *

10.2

Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, between Sanchez Production Partners LP and the purchaser named therein

10.3

Joinder, Assignment and Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, among Sanchez Production Partners LP, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto

99.1

Press Release, dated October 14 , 2015

99. 2

Risk Factors  

 *

The exhibits and schedules to the Purchase and Sale Agreement have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Partnership will furnish copies of such omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. Descriptions of such exhibits and schedules are set forth on page iii of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

 


 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

Section 1.2

Construction

26 

Article II

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Section 2.1

Formation

26 

Section 2.2

Name

26 

Section 2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

26 

Section 2.4

Purpose and Business

26 

Section 2.5

Powers

27 

Section 2.6

Term

27 

Section 2.7

Title to Partnership Assets

27 

Article III

 

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Section 3.1

Limitation of Liability

27 

Section 3.2

Management of Business

27 

Section 3.3

Outside Activities of the Limited Partners

28 

Section 3.4

Rights of Limited Partners

28 

Article IV

 

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 4.1

Certificates

29 

Section 4.2

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

29 

Section 4.3

Record Holders

30 

Section 4.4

Transfer Generally

30 

Section 4.5

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

30 

Section 4.6

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

31 

Section 4.7

Restrictions on Transfers

31 

Section 4.8

Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders

33 

Section 4.9

Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders

34 

Article V

 

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 5.1

Organizational Contributions

35 

Section 5.2

Interest and Withdrawal

35 

Section 5.3

Capital Accounts

35 

Section 5.4

Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests

38 

Section 5.5

Limited Preemptive Right

39 

Section 5.6

Splits and Combinations

39 

 

ii

 


 

 

 

 

Section 5.7

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

40 

Section 5.8

Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights

40 

Section 5.9

Establishment of Class A Preferred Units.

41 

Section 5.10

Establishment of Class B Preferred Units.

46 

Article VI

 

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 6.1

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

54 

Section 6.2

Allocations for Tax Purposes

62 

Section 6.3

Distributions; Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

64 

Section 6.4

Distributions from Operating Surplus

64 

Section 6.5

Distributions from Capital Surplus

65 

Section 6.6

Adjustment of Target Distribution Levels

65 

Section 6.7

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of IDR Reset Common Units

66 

Section 6.8

Entity-Level Taxation

66 

Section 6.9

Special Provisions Relating to the Preferred Holders.

66 

Article VII

 

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

 

Section 7.1

Management

67 

Section 7.2

Replacement of Fiduciary Duties

68 

Section 7.3

Certificate of Limited Partnership

69 

Section 7.4

Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority

69 

Section 7.5

Reimbursement of the General Partner

69 

Section 7.6

Outside Activities

70 

Section 7.7

Indemnification

71 

Section 7.8

Liability of Indemnitees

72 

Section 7.9

Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties

73 

Section 7.10

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees

75 

Section 7.11

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests

75 

Section 7.12

Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates

76 

Section 7.13

Reliance by Third Parties

78 

Article VIII

 

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

Section 8.1

Records and Accounting

78 

Section 8.2

Fiscal Year

78 

Section 8.3

Reports

78 

Article IX

 

TAX MATTERS

 

Section 9.1

Tax Returns and Information

79 

Section 9.2

Tax Elections

79 

Section 9.3

Tax Controversies

79 

Section 9.4

Withholding; Tax Payments

79 

 

ii

 


 

 

 

 

Article X

 

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

 

Section 10.1

Admission of Limited Partners

80 

Section 10.2

Admission of Successor General Partner

80 

Section 10.3

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

81 

Article XI

 

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

 

Section 11.1

Withdrawal of the General Partner

81 

Section 11.2

Removal of the General Partner

82 

Section 11.3

Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner

82 

Section 11.4

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

84 

Article XII

 

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 12.1

Dissolution

84 

Section 12.2

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

84 

Section 12.3

Liquidator

85 

Section 12.4

Liquidation

85 

Section 12.5

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

86 

Section 12.6

Return of Contributions

86 

Section 12.7

Waiver of Partition

86 

Section 12.8

Capital Account Restoration

86 

Article XIII

 

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

 

Section 13.1

Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

86 

Section 13.2

Amendment Procedures

87 

Section 13.3

Amendment Requirements

88 

Section 13.4

Special Meetings

88 

Section 13.5

Notice of a Meeting

89 

Section 13.6

Record Date

89 

Section 13.7

Adjournment

89 

Section 13.8

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes

89 

Section 13.9

Quorum and Voting

89 

Section 13.10

Conduct of a Meeting

90 

Section 13.11

Action Without a Meeting

90 

Section 13.12

Right to Vote and Related Matters

91 

Section 13.13

Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights

91 

Article XIV

 

MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

 

Section 14.1

Authority

91 

Section 14.2

Procedure for Merger or Consolidation

92 

Section 14.3

Approval by Limited Partners

93 

Section 14.4

Certificate of Merger

94 

Section 14.5

Effect of Merger or Consolidation

94 

 

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Article XV

 

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

 

Section 15.1

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

94 

Article XVI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 16.1

Addresses and Notices; Written Communications

95 

Section 16.2

Further Action

96 

Section 16.3

Binding Effect

96 

Section 16.4

Integration

96 

Section 16.5

Creditors

96 

Section 16.6

Waiver

96 

Section 16.7

Third-Party Beneficiaries

96 

Section 16.8

Counterparts

96 

Section 16.9

Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction

96 

Section 16.10

Invalidity of Provisions

97 

Section 16.11

Consent of Partners

97 

Section 16.12

Facsimile and Email Signatures

97 

 

 

 

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP dated as of October 14, 2015, is entered into by and between Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein.  In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Article I
DEFINITIONS

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

Additional Book Basis ” means, with respect to any Adjusted Property, the portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as determined in accordance with the provisions set forth below in this definition of Additional Book Basis.  For purposes of determining the extent to which Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:

(a) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.

(b) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided ,   however , that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).

Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis.  To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “ Excess Additional Book Basis ”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.  With respect to a Disposed of Adjusted Property, the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items shall be the amount of

 

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Additional Book Basis taken into account in computing gain or loss from the disposition of such Disposed of Adjusted Property; provided that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the determination of the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items attributable to Disposed of Adjusted Property.

Adjusted Available Cash ” means, with respect to the last day of any month ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

(a) the sum of:

(i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such month; and

(ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such month resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such month, less;

(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including cash reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future debt service requirements of the Partnership Group) for the month as of which the determination of Adjusted Available Cash is made, which amount shall not exceed the amount established in the most recent budget approved by the Board to which a Purchaser Designated Director (as defined in the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement) gave his or her consent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Adjusted Available Cash ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 “ Adjusted Capital Account ” means , with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account at the end of each taxable period of the Partnership after giving effect to the following adjustments: (a) credit to such Capital Account any amount which such Partner is (i) obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or (ii) deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) .  The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.  The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

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

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Advisers ” is defined in Section 7.10(b).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, (i) the Partnership, on the one hand, and the Class A Preferred Unit Purchasers, on the other hand, shall not be considered Affiliates solely by virtue of such Class A Preferred Unit Purchasers holding Class A Preferred Units, and (ii) the Partnership, on the one hand, and the Class B Preferred Unit Holders, on the other hand, shall not be considered Affiliates solely by virtue of such Class B Preferred Unit Holders holding Class B Preferred Units or the right to appoint a member to the Board of Directors pursuant to the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement or as Affiliates of such member of the Board of Directors.

Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ” is defined in Section 5.8(a).

Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.

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

Agreed Value ” of (a) a Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution and (b) an Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event, in both cases as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sanchez Production Partners LP, as it may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

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

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

(c) the sum of:

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(i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter; and

(ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less;

(d) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to:

(i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including cash reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future debt service requirements of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter;

(ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; or

(iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters;

provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to subclause (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the cash portion of any Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution on all Class B Preferred Units with respect to such Quarter or Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units with respect to such Quarter; and, provided   further , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Available Cash ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to the General Partner, its board of directors or managers, as applicable, if a corporation or limited liability company.  If any successor General Partner is a limited partnership, and its general partner is a corporation or limited liability company, the “Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner.

Board Representation and Standstill Agreement ” means that certain Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, dated as of October 14 , 2015, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner and Stonepeak, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

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Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).

Book-Down Event ”   means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Loss .

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

Book-Up Event ” means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Gain .

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

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

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

Capital Improvement ” means any (a) replacement, improvement, addition or expansion of capital assets owned by any Group Member, (b) acquisition of existing or new capital assets (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) or construction or development of new capital assets by any Group Member, or (c) capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member had or has, or after such capital contribution had or will have, directly or indirectly, an equity interest, to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of any replacement, improvement, addition or expansion of capital assets or acquisition of existing or new capital assets or construction or development of new capital assets, by such Person, in each case if and to the extent such replacement, improvement, addition, expansion, acquisition, construction or development is made to increase over the long-term, the operating capacity, operating income or asset base of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from the operating capacity, operating income or asset base of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such replacement, improvement, addition, expansion, acquisition, construction, development or Capital Contribution.

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Capital Surplus ” means cash and cash equivalents distributed by the Partnership or SPP LLC in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section 6.3(a).

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

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

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

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

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

claim ” (as used in Section 7.12(c)) is defined in Section 7.12(c).

Class A Holder Optional Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)(ii).

Class A Preferred Conversion Date ” means the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Partnership Optional Conversion Date, the Class A Holder Optional Conversion Date or the Class A Preferred Voluntary Conversion Date, as applicable.  

Class A Preferred Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)(ii).

Class A Preferred Conversion Price ” means the lesser of (i) the Class A Preferred Unit Price applicable to the Class A Preferred Unit that is converted and (ii) the lowest price after March 31, 2015 and on or prior to the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date for which a Common Unit is issued by the Partnership (including pursuant to a Qualified Public Offering), other than in connection with an at-the-market offering or pursuant to the LTIP.

Class A Preferred Conversion Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)(i).

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Class A Preferred Distribution Rate ” means an amount per Class A Preferred Unit equal to the following percentages of the applicable Class A Preferred Unit Price:  (i) from the Class A Preferred Issue Date applicable to such Class A Preferred Unit through and including March 31, 2016, 10.0% per annum (2.5% per quarter), (ii) from April 1, 2016 through and including March 31, 2017, 11.5% per annum (2.875% per quarter) and (iii) from and after April 1, 2017, 12.5% per annum (3.125% per quarter).

Class A Preferred Holder ” means a holder of a Class A Preferred Unit.

Class A Preferred Issue Date ” means, with respect to a Class A Preferred Holder, the definition set forth for the term “Closing Date” in the Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement to which such Class A Preferred Holder is a party.

Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference ” means, with respect to each Class A Preferred Unit, an amount equal to the amount set forth in the definition for the term “Purchase Price” in the Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement pursuant to which such Class A Preferred Unit was issued, plus all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Class A Preferred Unit to the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date.

Class A Preferred PIK Unit ” means a Class A Preferred Unit issued pursuant to a Class A Preferred Unit Distribution in accordance with Section 5.9(c).

Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(c)(i).

Class A Preferred Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Class A Preferred Unit in this Agreement, including Class A Preferred PIK Units, provided that such Class A Preferred PIK Units shall be subject to such restrictions as are set forth herein. A Class A Preferred Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

Class A Preferred Unit Price ” means, with respect to a Class A Preferred Unit, an amount equal to ten (10) times the amount set forth in the definition for the term “Purchase Price” in the Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement pursuant to which such Class A Preferred Unit was issued.

Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement ” means the applicable purchase agreement between the Partnership and a Class A Preferred Holder with respect to such Class A Preferred Holder’s Class A Preferred Units.

Class A Preferred Unit Purchasers ” means each of the Persons named on Schedule A to a Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement.

Class A Preferred Voluntary Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)(iv).

Class A Units ” means “Class A Units” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

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Class B Preferred Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(b)(i).

Class B Preferred Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(b)(i).

Class B Preferred Conversion Price ” means the lesser of (i) the Class B Preferred Unit Price, as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 5.10(b)(ix) and (ii) the volume weighted average price for which Common Units are issued by the Partnership (including pursuant to a Qualified Public Offering or in connection with an at-the-market offering) during the Subsequent Issuance Period, other than pursuant to the LTIP.

Class B Preferred Conversion Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(b)(i).

Class B Preferred Distribution Rate ” means an amount per Class B Preferred Unit equal to the following percentages from and after the Class B Preferred Issue Date applicable to such Class B Preferred Unit (pro rata for the Quarter in which such Class B Preferred Issue Date occurs) until such Class B Preferred Unit is no longer Outstanding:  (i) if paid fully in cash, 10% per annum (2.5% per quarter), and (ii) if paid in a combination of cash and Class B Preferred PIK Units, 8% per annum (2.0% per quarter) payable in cash and 4% per annum (1% per quarter) payable in Class B Preferred PIK Units (the “ Class B Preferred Initial Distribution Rate ”); provided, however , that (a) if the transactions contemplated by Section 5.10(f) have not been consummated on or before September 30, 2016, then from and after September 30, 2016 until the last day of the Quarter in which such transactions have been consummated, the Class B Preferred Initial Distribution Rate shall instead be the Class B Preferred Increased Distribution Rate and (b) if any Class A Preferred Units remain Outstanding after March 31, 2016, then from and after April 1, 2016 until the last day of the Quarter in which no Class A Preferred Units are Outstanding, the Class B Preferred Initial Distribution Rate shall instead be the Class B Preferred Increased Distribution Rate.

Class B Preferred Holder ” means a holder of a Class B Preferred Unit.

Class B Preferred Increased Distribution Rate ” means an amount per Class B Preferred Unit equal to the following percentages: (A) if paid fully in cash, 14% per annum (3.5% per quarter) and (B) if paid in a combination of cash and Class B Preferred PIK Units, 12% per annum (3% per quarter) payable in cash and 4% per annum (1% per quarter) payable in Class B Preferred PIK Units.

Class B Preferred Issue Date ” means October 14 , 2015.

Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference ” means, with respect to each Class B Preferred Unit, an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Unit Price, plus all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Class B Preferred Unit and, without duplication, any increase in the balance of such accrued and unpaid distributions, as set forth in Section 5.10(c)(ii)(B), to the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date.

Class B Preferred PIK Unit ” means a Class B Preferred Unit issued pursuant to a Class B Preferred Unit Distribution in accordance with Section 5.10(c).

Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(c)(i).

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Class B Preferred Redemption Date ” means any date on which Class B Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Section 5.10(d), as set forth in a Class B Preferred Redemption Notice.

Class B Preferred Redemption Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(d)(iv).

Class B Preferred Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to a Class B Preferred Unit in this Agreement, including Class B Preferred PIK Units, provided that such Class B Preferred PIK Units shall be subject to such restrictions as are set forth herein. A Class B Preferred Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

Class B Preferred Unit Liquidation Amount ” means the greater of (i) the Current Market Price (as of the relevant date of determination) or (ii) with respect to a redemption occurring, (A) on or before December 31, 2016, an amount equal to 160% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, (B) on or after January 1, 2017 and on or before December 31, 2017, an amount equal to 150% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, (C) on or after January 1, 2018 and on or before December 31, 2018, an amount equal to 130% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, (D) on or after January 1, 2019 and on or before December 31, 2019, an amount equal to 120% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, (E) on or after January 1, 2020 and on or before December 31, 2020, an amount equal to 110% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, and (F) on or after January 1, 2021, an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference. 

Class B Preferred Unit Price ” means, subject to Section 5.10(g), with respect to a Class B Preferred Unit, the amount set forth in the definition for the term “Purchase Price” in the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement.

Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement ” means the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement between the Partnership and the Class B Preferred Unit Purchasers, dated as of September 25 , 2015.

Class B Preferred Unit Purchasers ” means each of the Persons named on Schedule A to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement.

Class Z Units ” means “Class Z Units” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

Closing Date ” means November 20, 2006, which is the first date on which SPP LLC issued and delivered Predecessor Units.

Closing Price ” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which the respective Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such

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day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the primary reporting system then in use in relation to such Limited Partner Interests of such class, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

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

Combined Interest ” is defined in Section 11.3(a).

Commercial Service Commencement Date ” means the date on which a Capital Improvement or capital asset, as applicable, was or is first put into commercial service by a Group Member following, if applicable, completion of construction, acquisition or development and testing, as applicable.

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Common Units in this Agreement. A Preferred Unit will not constitute a Common Unit until the applicable Preferred Conversion Date with respect to such Preferred Unit.

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

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

Conversion Date ” means the effective date and time of the conversion of SPP LLC from a limited liability company to the Partnership.  

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Converted Units ” means “Class A Units” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

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

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

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

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

Disposed of Adjusted Property ” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(B).

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

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

Eligible Holder ” means a Person that satisfies the eligibility requirements established by the General Partner for Partners pursuant to Section 4.8.

Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ” is defined in Section 6.8.

Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means an estimate made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the average quarterly Maintenance Capital Expenditures that the Partnership will need to incur to maintain, over the long-term, the operating capacity, operating income or asset base of the Partnership Group existing at the time the estimate is made.  The Board of Directors will be permitted to make such estimate in any manner it determines reasonable.  The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of future Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures.  The Partnership shall disclose to its Partners any change in the amount of Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures in its reports made in accordance with Section 8.3 to the extent not previously disclosed.  Any adjustments to Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.

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

Event Issue Value ” means, with respect to any Common Unit as of any date of determination, (i) in the case of a Revaluation Event that includes the issuance of Common Units pursuant to a public offering and solely for cash, the price paid for such Common Units, or (ii) in the case of any other Revaluation Event, the Closing Price of the Common Units on the date of

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such Revaluation Event or, if the General Partner determines that a value for the Common Unit other than such Closing Price more accurately reflects the Event Issue Value, the value determined by the General Partner.

Excess Additional Book Basis ” is defined in the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.

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

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

Existing Credit Facility ” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015 among the Partnership, as Borrower, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as may be amended, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time; provided that the credit facility provided under the Existing Credit Facility shall be, at all times, a revolving bank facility provided by commercial banks and/or affiliates of commercial banks that are primarily engaged in providing such facilities.

Expansion Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures for Capital Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures.  Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance all or any portion of the construction of a Capital Improvement and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that a Group Member entered or enters into a binding obligation to commence construction of a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of (i) the Commercial Service Commencement Date for such Capital Improvement and (ii) the date that such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of.  Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund the construction period interest payments, or such construction period distributions on equity, shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement and the incremental Incentive Distributions paid relating to newly issued equity to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement.  If capital expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation of such capital expenditures between the amounts paid for each.

First Liquidation Target Amount ” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).

First Target Distribution ” means $0.575 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of more or less than one fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.8, Section 6.6 and Section 6.8.

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

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

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

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

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

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

Hedge Contract ” means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of the Partnership Group to fluctuations in the price of hydrocarbons or interest rates, basis differentials or currency exchange rates in their operations or financing activities, in each case, other than for speculative purposes.

Holder ” as used in Section 7.12, is defined in Section 7.12(a).

IDR Reset Common Unit ” is defined in Section 5.8(a).

IDR Reset Election ” is defined in Section 5.8(a).

Incentive Distribution Right ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in this Agreement.

Incentive Distributions ” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Section 6.4.

Incremental Income Taxes ” is defined in Section 6.8.

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Indemnified Persons ” is defined in Section 7.12(c).

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

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

Initial Common Units ” means the Predecessor Units sold in the Initial Offering.

Initial Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Predecessor Units to the public.

Initial Unit Price ” means (a) with respect to the Common Units, the initial public offering price per Predecessor Unit at which they were sold on the Closing Date or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.

Interim Capital Transactions ” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member and (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements.

Investment Capital Expenditures ” means capital expenditures other than Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures.

Junior Securities ” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests of cash or property and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership (taking into account the intended effects of the allocation of gains and losses as provided in this Agreement) , ranks junior to the Class B Preferred Units, including, but not limited to, Common Units.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the replacement, improvement, addition or expansion of the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing or new capital assets or the construction or development of new capital assets) by a Group Member if such expenditures are made to maintain, over the long-term, the operating capacity, operating income or asset base of the Partnership Group. 

Mandatory Conversion Date ” means the earlier of (i) March 31, 2018 and (ii) the closing date for a Qualified Public Offering.

Member ” means “Member” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

Member Interest ” means “Member Interest” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

Merger Agreement ” is defined in Section 14.1.

Minimum Conversion Amount ” means (i) a number of Class B Preferred Units having an aggregate value of $17.5 million, which value is calculated by multiplying the number of Class B

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Preferred Units to be converted by the Class B Preferred Conversion Price or (ii) if the value of the Class B Preferred Units (calculated in accordance with clause (i) above) to be converted by the Class B Preferred Holder requesting conversion does not equal or exceed $17.5 million, then all of the Class B Preferred Units held by such Class B Preferred Holder.

Minimum Quarterly Distribution ” means $0.50 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to periods of more or less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.8, Section 6.6 and Section 6.8.

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

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

Net Income ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period.  The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.3 and shall include Simulated Gain but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e); provided , that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xiv).

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period.  The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.3 and shall include Simulated Gain but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e); provided , that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xiv).

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Net Positive Adjustments ” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.

Net Termination Gain ” means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.3) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date, (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group) or (iii) upon the sale of assets to fund a redemption pursuant to Section 4.9(a)(iii) or Section 5.10(d), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.3(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided ,   however , that the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall include Simulated Gain, but shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e).

Net Termination Loss ” means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.3) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date, (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group) or (iii) upon the sale of assets to fund a redemption pursuant to Section 4.9(a)(iii) or Section 5.10(d) or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.3(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided ,   however , that the items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall include Simulated Gain, but shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) or Section 6.1(e).

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

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

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

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

Notice of Election to Purchase ” is defined in Section 15.1(b).

Offering Notice ” is defined in Section 4.7(e)(iii).

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Operating Expenditures ” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including taxes, amounts paid under the Shared Services Agreement, reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, Board of Directors, officer and employee compensation, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments and Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures, subject to the following:

(e) repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of Operating Surplus shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;

(f) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties and the purchase price of indebtedness that is repurchased and cancelled) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures;

(g) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) actual Maintenance Capital Expenditures, (iii) Investment Capital Expenditures, (iv) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (v) distributions to Partners (including in respect of Incentive Distribution Rights) or (vi) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans, or reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner for such purchases.  If capital expenditures are made in part for Maintenance Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation of such capital expenditures between the amounts paid for each; and

(h) (i) payments made in connection with the initial purchase of any Hedge Contract shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be amortized in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled term of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated.

Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

(i) the sum of (i) $20.0 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be amortized in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled term of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) the amount of cash distributions paid (including incremental Incentive Distributions) in respect of equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Offering, to finance all or a portion of the

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Expansion Capital Expenditures and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that the Group Member entered or enters into a binding obligation to commence the replacement, improvement, addition, expansion, acquisition, construction or development of a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the Commercial Service Commencement Date for such Capital Improvement and the date on which such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of (equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Offering, to fund the construction period interest payments on debt incurred (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements), or construction period distributions on equity issued (including incremental Incentive Distributions), to finance the Expansion Capital Expenditures shall also be deemed to be equity issued to finance the replacement, improvement, addition, expansion, acquisition, construction or development of a Capital Improvement for purposes of this clause (iv)); less

(j) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner or SPP LLC (or the Partnership’s or SPP LLC’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures, (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within 12 months after having been incurred or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) any cash loss realized on disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure;

provided ,   however , that the General Partner’s estimates of disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member), the General Partner’s estimates of cash received, or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of cash or cash equivalents to be distributed with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, received, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Operating Surplus ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.  Cash receipts from an Investment Capital Expenditure shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on principal, but in no event shall a return of principal be treated as cash receipts.  Customer payments that are paid no more than several days after their due date will be treated as paid on their due date.

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

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided ,   however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding (other than the Preferred Units), none of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be entitled to be voted on any matter or be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Board of Directors),

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calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided ,   further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i)  provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply; provided, moreover , that if any Person or Group beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding solely as a result of actions taken by the Partnership, then the 20% threshold specified herein shall be increased, with respect to such Person, to a percentage equal to such Person’s new beneficial ownership after the taking of such action plus the difference between 20% and such Person’s beneficial ownership prior to such action.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Board of Directors has approved the issuance of the Class B Preferred Units (including the Common Units issued upon conversion thereof) to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchasers pursuant to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement in accordance with clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence, and any Class B Preferred PIK Units (including any Common Units issued upon conversion thereof) issued to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchasers shall be deemed to be approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence and the foregoing limitations of the immediately preceding sentence do not apply to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchasers, their Affiliates or their permitted assigns with respect to their ownership of the Class B Preferred Units (including any Common Units issued upon conversion thereof).

Parity Securities ” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests of cash or property and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership (taking into account the intended effects of the allocation of gains and losses as provided in this Agreement), ranks pari passu with the Class B Preferred Units.

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

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

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

Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners (and, as applicable, the Members prior to the Conversion Date).

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Partnership ” means Sanchez Production Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (and, as applicable, SPP LLC prior to the Conversion Date).

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

Partnership Interest ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership, which shall include any General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interest (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Preferred Unit and Incentive Distribution Right), but shall exclude any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership (and, as applicable, Member Interests prior to the Conversion Date).

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

Partnership Optional Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b)(vi).

Percentage Interest ” means as of any date of determination as to any Unitholder with respect to Units or a class thereof, the quotient obtained by dividing the number of such Units held by such Unitholder, by the total number of such Outstanding Units. The Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest and an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.

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

Per Unit Capital Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any class of Units held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.

PIK Unit ” means a Class A Preferred PIK Unit or a Class B Preferred PIK Unit.

Predecessor Units ” means “Common Units” as defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, of SPP LLC.

Preferred Conversion Date ” means a Class A Preferred Conversion Date or a Class B Preferred Conversion Date, as applicable.

Preferred Holder ” means a Class A Preferred Holder or a Class B Preferred Holder, as applicable.

Preferred Units ” means the Class A Preferred Units and the Class B Preferred Units.

Privately Placed Units ” means any Common Units issued for cash or property other than pursuant to a public offering.

Pro Rata ” means (a) when used with respect to (i) Units (other than the Preferred Units) or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Outstanding Units (other than the Preferred Units) in accordance with the relative Percentage Interests of such Units, (ii) all Partners

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or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (iii) some but not all Partners or Record Holders, in accordance with the relative Percentage Interests of such Partners or Record Holders and (b) when used with respect to Class A Preferred Units or Class B Preferred Units, apportioned among all Class A Preferred Holders or Class B Preferred Holders, as applicable, in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Class A Preferred Units or Class B Preferred Units, as applicable, held by each such holder to the total number of Outstanding Class A Preferred Units or Outstanding Class B Preferred Units, as applicable.

Proposed Transaction ” is defined in Section 4.7(e)(iii).

Purchase Date ” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

Qualified Public Offering ” means a firm commitment underwritten public offering by the Partnership of Common Units that results in the Partnership receiving gross proceeds (before underwriting discounts, commissions, fees and expenses) of not less than $75,000,000.

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

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

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

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

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

Redeemable Interests ” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.9; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Partnership Interests owned by Stonepeak shall under no circumstances constitute Redeemable Interests.

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Registration Statement ” means, collectively, the Registration Statements on Form S-4 (Registration Nos. 333-198440 and 333-202526) as they may have been or as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by SPP LLC with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the Common Units issued to the holders of the Predecessor Units and Converted Units in connection with the conversion of the Predecessor Units and Converted Units into Common Units.

Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, and (ii)  with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.

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

Reset MQD ” is defined in Section 5.8(a).

Reset Notice ” is defined in Section 5.8(b).

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

ROFO Interest ” is defined in Section 4.7(e)(iii).

ROFO Response ” is defined in Section 4.7(e)(iii).

Sanchez ” is defined in Section 4.7(e)(iii).

Second Liquidation Target Amount ” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).

Second Target Distribution ” means $0.625 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of more or less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.8, Section 6.6 and Section 6.8.

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

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

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Senior Securities ” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests of cash or property or distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership (taking into account the intended effects of the allocation of gains and losses as provided in this Agreement), or both, ranks senior to the Class B Preferred Units, including, but not limited to, the Class A Preferred Units.

Shared Services Agreement ” means that certain Shared Services Agreement between SP Holdings, LLC and SPP LLC dated May 8, 2014.

Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, and (ii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

Simulated Basis ” means the Carrying Value of any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code).

Simulated Depletion ” means, with respect to an oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code), a depletion allowance computed in accordance with federal income tax principles (as if the Simulated Basis of the property were its adjusted tax basis) and in the manner specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2). For purposes of computing Simulated Depletion with respect to any property, the Simulated Basis of such property shall be deemed to be the Carrying Value of such property, and in no event shall such allowance for Simulated Depletion, in the aggregate, exceed such Simulated Basis.

Simulated Gain ” means the excess, if any, of the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of an oil or gas property over the Carrying Value of such property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

Simulated Loss ” means the excess, if any, of the Carrying Value of an oil or gas property over the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of such property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.

SPP LLC ” means Sanchez Production Partners LLC (formerly known as Constellation Energy Partners LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, which is being continued as of the Conversion Date as the Partnership.

Stonepeak ” means Stonepeak Catarina Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

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Subsequent Issuance Period ” means the period beginning on the Class B Preferred Issuance Date and ending on the date on which the Partnership has issued, in one or more transactions (excluding issuances pursuant to the LTIP), additional Common Units in exchange for cash in an aggregate amount equal to at least $75,000,000; provided, however , that if any Class A Preferred Units are converted on or before September 30, 2016 into Common Units at the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii)) pursuant to Section 5.9(b), then the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference, multiplied by the number of Class A Preferred Common Units so converted.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership, but only if such Person, directly or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, controls such partnership on the date of determination or (c) any other Person in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

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

Target Distribution ” means each of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.

Third Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(F).

Third Target Distribution ” means $0.875 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of more or less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.8, Section 6.6 and Section 6.8.

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

Transaction Agreements ” means (i) the Shared Services Agreement, (ii) that certain Contract Operating Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, between SPP LLC and Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, (iii) that certain Geophysical Seismic Data Use License Agreement, dated May 8,

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2014, between SPP LLC, certain subsidiaries thereof and Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, and (iv) that certain Transition and Assistance Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, between SPP LLC, SP Holdings, LLC and Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation.

transfer ” is defined in Section 4.4(a).

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

Unit ” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Preferred Units but shall not include (i) the General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.

Unitholders ” means the holders of Units.

Unit Majority ” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and, subject to Section 13.13, the Incentive Distribution Rights together as a single class.

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

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

Unrecovered Initial Unit Price ” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision, or combination of such Units.

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

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

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

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Working Capital Borrowings ” means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners, made pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or other similar financing arrangement; provided that when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from the date of such borrowings other than from additional Working Capital Borrowings.

Section 1.2 Construction .  Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation.  Any construction or interpretation of this Agreement and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination, in each case, made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on any Limited Partner, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and any other Person who is bound by this Agreement.

Article II
ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1 Formation .  On the Conversion Date, SPP LLC converted from a limited liability company to the Partnership, with the Partnership continuing in all of the rights, privileges and powers of SPP LLC.  This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.

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

Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices .  Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Corporation Service Company.  The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1000 Main Street, Suite 3000, Houston, Texas 77002, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.  The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.  The address of the General Partner shall be 1000 Main Street, Suite 3000, Houston, Texas 77002, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.4 Purpose and Business .  The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and

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(b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however , that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its sole discretion, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business and may, in its sole discretion, decline to so propose or approve free of any duty (fiduciary or otherwise) or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any Person who acquires an interest in the Partnership or is bound by this Agreement and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.

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

Section 2.6 Term .  The term of the Partnership commenced on the date of formation of SPP LLC in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and shall continue until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII.  The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

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

Article III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

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

Section 3.2 Management of Business .  No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership.  All actions taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be

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participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

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

Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners .

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

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

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

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

(iv) information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other capital contribution, contributed or to be contributed by each Partner and the date on which each became a Partner; and

(v) such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as the General Partner determines is just and reasonable.

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

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

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Article IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

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

Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 4.4 Transfer Generally .

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

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

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

Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

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

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

(c) Upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated Common Units, such uncertificated Common Units shall be cancelled, issuance of new equivalent uncertificated Common

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Units shall be made to the holder of Common Units entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the Partnership’s register.

(d) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section 4.5 and except as provided in Section 4.7, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person.  The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

(e) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.4, (iii) Section 4.7, (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.

(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units and the General Partner, its Affiliates and any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights shall have the right at any time to transfer its Incentive Distribution Rights to one or more Persons without Unitholder approval.

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

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

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

Section 4.7 Restrictions on Transfers .

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

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

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

(d) The transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section 5.8 shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7.

(e) Transfer Restrictions on Preferred Units.

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.7(e), no Preferred Unit shall be transferrable by any Preferred Holder without the prior written consent of the General Partner.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Preferred Holder shall be permitted to transfer any Preferred Units held by such Preferred Holder without the prior written consent of the General Partner to an Affiliate of such Preferred Holder or (A) in the case of a Class A Preferred Holder to another Class A Preferred Unit Holder or its Affiliates or (B) in the case of a Class B Preferred Holder to any Person, including another Class B Preferred Unit Holder or its Affiliates, subject to Section 4.7(e)(iii), provided that such Person agrees to be bound by the “standstill” provisions of the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement.

(iii) Until December 31, 2021, at any time prior to the sale or transfer of any Class B Preferred Units by a Class B Preferred Holder to a party or group (as defined by Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) other than an Affiliate or another Class B Preferred Holder (a “ Proposed Transaction ”), such selling Class B Preferred Holder shall first provide written notice (the “ Offering Notice ”) to the Partnership of its intention to enter into a Proposed Transaction.  The Partnership and its Affiliates (collectively, “ Sanchez ”) shall then have a right of first offer with respect to any or all of such Class B Preferred Units (the “ ROFO Interest ”).  Sanchez shall have 10 days following receipt of the Offering Notice to propose an offer to enter into the Proposed Transaction with such Class B Preferred Holder (the “ ROFO Response ”). The ROFO Response shall set forth the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, the purchase price Sanchez proposes to pay for the such Class B Preferred Units and the other terms of the purchase) pursuant to which Sanchez would be willing to enter into a binding agreement for such purpose.  If no ROFO Response is delivered by Sanchez within such 10-day period, then Sanchez shall be deemed to have waived its right of first offer with respect to such Proposed Transaction, and such Class B Preferred Holder shall be free to enter into a Proposed Transaction with any third person on terms and conditions determined in the sole discretion of such Class B Preferred Holder without the consent of the General Partner.  If Sanchez submits a ROFO Response, Sanchez and the Class B Preferred Holder shall negotiate, in good faith, the terms of the purchase and sale of all such Preferred Units for 15 days following the receipt of the ROFO Response by the Class B Preferred Holder.  If the Class B Preferred Holder and the Partnership are unable to agree on such terms during such 15-day period, the Class B Preferred Holder may, without the prior written consent of the General Partner, Transfer any or all such Class B Preferred Units to any third person on terms generally no less favorable to the Class B Preferred Holder within the next 180 days, subject to this Article IV.  Any Person acquiring Class B Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 4.7(e)(iii) (other than Sanchez) shall agree to be

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bound by the “standstill” provisions of the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement as a condition precedent to any such Transfer during the period such “standstill” provisions would have applied to Stonepeak in accordance with the terms of the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Class A Preferred Holder shall transfer any Class A Preferred Units to any Person that (a) is an operating company (and not a financial institution) and (b) engages in the upstream energy business or otherwise provides similar services or engages in similar business as the Partnership at any time during the twelve months preceding the proposed transfer.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Class B Preferred Holder shall transfer any Class B Preferred Units to any Person that (a) is an operating company (and not a financial institution) and (b) engages in the upstream energy business, midstream energy business or otherwise provides similar services or engages in similar business as the Partnership at any time during the twelve months preceding the proposed transfer.

Section 4.8 Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders .

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

(i) the Partnership’s status other than as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the failure of the Partnership otherwise to be subject to an entity-level tax for U.S. federal, state or local income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof of the U.S. federal income tax status) of one or more Limited Partners or their beneficial owners has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member with respect to assets that are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or similar regulatory body (a “ Rate Eligibility Trigger ”); or

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

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

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

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

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Partner shall be treated as the owner of all Limited Partner Interests owned by an Ineligible Holder and the Limited Partner with respect thereto.

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

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

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

Section 4.9 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders .

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

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

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

(iii) With respect to the redemption of any Class B Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 4.9, the redemption price for the Units so redeemed will be determined in accordance with the applicable formula set

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forth in Section 5.10(d)(i) based on the date of such redemption (provided that the right to redeem percentage for such calculation shall be 100%); provided, however , that (A) the redemption price for any redemption occurring under this Section 4.9 on or before December 31, 2016 for Class B Preferred Units shall be equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date of redemption) of a Common Unit and (II) 160% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference and (B) the redemption price for any redemption occurring under this Section 4.9 on or after January 1, 2017 and on or before December 31, 2017 for Class B Preferred Units shall be equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date of redemption) of a Common Unit and (II) 150% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference.  The redemption price shall be paid in cash at the time of the redemption.

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

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

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

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

Article V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions .  On the Conversion Date, (a) each Predecessor Unit was converted into one Common Unit, (b) the Converted Units were converted into Common Units equal to 2.0% of the outstanding Common Units on the Conversion Date (after giving effect to the conversion of such Converted Units and the conversion of the Predecessor Units), (c) the Class Z Unit of SPP LLC was cancelled, (d) Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was issued all of the General Partner Interests and (e) the Incentive Distribution Rights were issued to SP Holdings, LLC as contemplated by the Shared Services Agreement.

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

Section 5.3 Capital Accounts .

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(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest (including, with respect to the Preferred Units, the net amount of cash contributed for the Preferred Units by the holders thereof pursuant to a Class A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement or the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, as applicable) and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including Simulated Gain and income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property (other than PIK Units) made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss (including Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss) computed in accordance with Section 5.3(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1. In connection with the foregoing, the Partnership shall adopt the methodology set forth in the noncompensatory option regulations under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1 and 1.721-2 with respect to the issuance and conversion of Preferred Units, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and

classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided , that:

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

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

(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain and Simulated Loss shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Subject to Section 6.7(b), immediately prior to the transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph Section 5.3(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its IDR Reset Common Units will (A)  first , be allocated to the IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B)  second , any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any IDR Reset Common Units.  Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred IDR Reset Common Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) above.

(d) (i) Consistent with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8, the conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), or the conversion of a Preferred Unit in accordance with Section 5.9(b) or Section 5.10(b), the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance (or, in the case of a Preferred Conversion Date, immediately after such Preferred Conversion Date) shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance; provided, however , that in the event of the issuance of a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option where the right to share in Partnership capital represented by such Partnership Interest differs from the consideration paid to acquire and exercise such option, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interest shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided, further , that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, in the event of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option to acquire a de minimis Partnership Interest, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. Any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss (or items thereof) shall be allocated (A) if the operation of this sentence is triggered by the conversion of a Preferred Unit, first among the Partners holding Common Units as may be necessary to cause the Capital Account attributable to each such Common Unit to be the

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same, and (B) any remaining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized would have been allocated. If the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss allocated as a result of the occurrence of a Preferred Conversion Date is not sufficient to cause the Capital Account attributable to each Common Unit to be the same, then Capital Account balances shall be reallocated between the Partners holding such Common Units so as to cause the Capital Account attributable to each such Common Unit to be the same, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3). In determining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss in connection with the issuance of additional Partnership Interests or a Preferred Conversion Date, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a Revaluation Event resulting from the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option (including conversion of a Preferred Unit), immediately after the issuance of the Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Noncompensatory Option) shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. For this purpose, the General Partner may first determine an aggregate value for the assets of the Partnership that takes into account the current trading price of the Common Units, the fair market value of all other Partnership Interests at such time (on a fully converted basis), and the amount of Partnership liabilities, and, if before the Preferred Conversion Date of any Preferred Units, may adjust the fair market value of all Partnership assets to reflect the difference, if any, between the fair market value of any Preferred Units for which the Preferred Conversion Date has not occurred and the aggregate Capital Accounts attributable to such Preferred Units to the extent of any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss that has not been reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts previously, consistent with the methodology of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a Revaluation Event (including conversion of a Preferred Unit) shall be the value that would result in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value.

(i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated among the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1(c) in the same manner as any item of gain, loss, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated.  In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of a distribution other than a distribution made pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.3(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.4 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests .

(a) Subject to Section 5.10(e), the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Interests for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner in its sole discretion shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

(b) Subject to Section 5.10(e), each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.4(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of

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

(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.4, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8, (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests.  The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests being so issued.  The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and, subject to Section 5.10(e), is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

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

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

Section 5.6 Splits and Combinations .

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

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

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

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require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

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

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

Section 5.8 Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.8, the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(g) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters, to make an election (the “ IDR Reset Election ”) to cause the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.8(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Common Units (the “ IDR Reset Common Units ”) derived by dividing (i) the amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.8(b)) by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit during each of the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the “ Reset MQD ”) (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “ Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ”).  If at the time of any IDR Reset Election the General Partner and its Affiliates are not the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights, then the IDR Reset Election shall be subject to the prior written concurrence of the General Partner that the conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied.  The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.8(b) shall cause the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.8(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive Common Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders, at the time specified in Section 5.8(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section 5.8(d).

(b) To exercise the right specified in Section 5.8(a), the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “ Reset Notice ”) to the Partnership.  Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnership’s determination of the aggregate number of Common Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.

(c) The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units on the 15th Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided, however, that the issuance of Common Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of such Common Units by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.

(d) If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units to be issued

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pursuant to this Section 5.8 on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units would have had at the time of the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion (on terms acceptable to the National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded) of such Partnership Interests into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).

(e) The Target Distributions shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of Common Units or other Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.8 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to be equal to the Reset MQD, (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 175% of the Reset MQD.

(f) Upon the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8(a) (or other Partnership Interests as described in Section 5.8(d)), the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall (A)  first , be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units (or other Partnership Interests) in an amount equal to the product of (x) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units (or other Partnership Interests) and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (B)  second , any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights.  In the event that there is not a sufficient Capital Account associated with the Incentive Distribution Rights to allocate the full Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit to the IDR Reset Common Units in accordance with clause (A) of this Section 5.8(f), the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) and Section 6.1(d)(xi)(B).

Section 5.9 Establishment of Class A Preferred Units.

(a) General . The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of Units, including any Class A Preferred PIK Units issued pursuant to Section 5.9(c), to be designated as “Class A Preferred Units,” having the same rights and preferences, and subject to the same duties and obligations as the Common Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.9.

(b) Conversion .  

(i) Each Class A Preferred Unit, unless previously converted, shall automatically convert on the Mandatory Conversion Date into a number of Common Units equal to the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference divided by the Class A Preferred Conversion Price (the “ Class A Preferred Conversion Rate ”), subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii); provided, however , that if a Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates would beneficially own Common Units after such Mandatory Conversion Date that exceeds 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(i), then the provisions of this Section 5.9(b)(i) shall apply, with respect to such Class A Preferred Holder, only to such Class A Preferred Units that would result, upon such conversion, in such Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates beneficially owning 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(i), and the remaining Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder shall remain Outstanding.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Class A Preferred Holder shall not be entitled, with or without the consent of the Partnership, to waive the limitation

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on conversion of the Class A Preferred Units set forth in this Section 5.9(b)(i) on less than sixty-one (61) days prior written notice to the Partnership.

(ii) Each of the holders of Class A Preferred Units (including a Class A Preferred PIK Unit) shall have the right, from and after March 31, 2016 at the option of such holder, to request conversion in whole or in part of its Class A Preferred Units into a number of Common Units equal to the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii); provided, however , that if a Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates would beneficially own Common Units after such Class A Holder Optional Conversion Date that exceeds 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(ii), then the provisions of this Section 5.9(b)(ii) shall apply, with respect to such Class A Preferred Holder, only to such Class A Preferred Units that would result, upon such conversion, in such Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates beneficially owning 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(ii), and the remaining Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder shall remain Outstanding.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Class A Preferred Holder shall not be entitled, with or without the consent of the Partnership, to waive the limitation on conversion of the Class A Preferred Units set forth in this Section 5.9(b)(ii) on less than sixty-one (61) days prior written notice to the Partnership.  To convert Class A Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to this Section 5.9(b)(ii), the Class A Preferred Holder shall give written notice (a “ Class A Preferred Conversion Notice ”) to the Partnership stating that such holder elects to so convert Class A Preferred Units into Common Units and shall state therein with respect to Class A Preferred Units to be converted pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(ii):  (a) the number of Class A Preferred Units (including Class A Preferred PIK Units) to be converted, (b) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Units to be issued, (c) the holder’s computation of the number of Common Units to be received by the holder (or designated recipients) upon the Conversion Date and (d) the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate on the Class A Holder Optional Conversion Date. The date of any Class A Preferred Conversion Notice shall hereinafter be referred to as a “ Class A Holder Optional Conversion Date .”

(iii) The Partnership shall have the right to cause all, but not less than all, of the Class A Preferred Units to convert into Common Units at the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate at any time beginning March 31, 2016, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii); provided, however , that if a Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates would beneficially own Common Units after such Partnership Optional Conversion Date that exceeds 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(iii), then the provisions of this Section 5.9(b)(iii) shall apply, with respect to such Class A Preferred Holder, only to such Class A Preferred Units that would result, upon such conversion, in such Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates beneficially owning 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(iii), and the remaining Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder shall remain Outstanding.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Class A Preferred Holder shall not be entitled, with or without the consent of the Partnership, to waive the limitation on conversion of the Class A Preferred Units set forth in this Section 5.9(b)(iii) on less than sixty-one (61) days prior written notice to the Partnership.

(iv) The Partnership and a Class A Preferred Holder may mutually agree, in their respective sole discretion, to convert some or all of the Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder into Common Units at the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate at any time, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii); provided, however , that if a Class A Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates would beneficially own Common Units after such conversion that exceeds 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(iv), then the provisions of this Section 5.9(b)(iv) shall apply, with respect to such Class A Preferred Holder, only to such Class A Preferred Units that would result, upon such conversion, in such Class A

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Preferred Holder together with its Affiliates and Associates beneficially owning 19.99% of the Outstanding Common Units after the conversion of all Class A Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.9(b)(iv), and the remaining Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder shall remain Outstanding.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Class A Preferred Holder shall not be entitled, with or without the consent of the Partnership, to waive the limitation on conversion of the Class A Preferred Units set forth in this Section 5.9(b)(iv) on less than sixty-one (61) days prior written notice to the Partnership .  The mutually agreed upon date of any conversion pursuant to this Section 5.9(b)(iv) shall be hereinafter be referred to as a “ Class A Preferred Voluntary Conversion Date .”

(v) If a Class A Preferred Unit conversion shall occur before a Record Date for payment of a distribution on the Common Units in respect of any completed Quarter and the Class A Preferred Units convert into additional Common Units, the additional Common Units issued in such conversion shall not receive the Common Unit distribution with respect to such completed Quarter.

(vi) In order to exercise the right to convert Class A Preferred Units prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Partnership must:  

(A) deliver to the Class A Preferred Holders a “Notice of Partnership Optional Conversion” (attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement) not later than 30 days prior to the Partnership Optional Conversion Date; and

(B) pay all transfer or similar taxes, if any, required under Section 5.9(b)(vii).

The date specified in the Notice of Partnership Optional Conversion is the “ Partnership Optional Conversion Date .”

(vii) The Partnership shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of Common Units upon conversion of Class A Preferred Units, other than the transfer taxes payable upon the issuance of Common Units upon conversion of Class A Preferred Units in a name or names other than that of the Class A Preferred Holder, which shall be paid by the converting Class A Preferred Holder.  

(viii) Effective immediately prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date, distributions on the converted Class A Preferred Units shall cease to accrue and the converted Class A Preferred Units shall cease to be outstanding, in each case subject to the right of Class A Preferred Holders of such converted Class A Preferred Units to receive the consideration issuable upon conversion which they are entitled to pursuant to this Section 5.9(b).

(ix) As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date, the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units upon conversion of Class A Preferred Units shall become effective and the Person entitled to receive such Common Units shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Units. Prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date, the Common Units issuable upon conversion shall be deemed not outstanding for any purpose, and Holders of Class A Preferred Units shall have no rights with respect to the Common Units issuable upon conversion by virtue of holding Class A Preferred Units.

(x) In connection with the conversion of any Class A Preferred Units, no fractional Common Units shall be issued to the converting Class A Preferred Holders. In lieu of any fractional Common Units issuable to a Class A Preferred Holder upon conversion, the Partnership shall pay or deliver, as applicable, to the converting Class A Preferred Holder, at the Partnership’s option, either (i) a number of Common Units rounded up to the next whole number of units, or (ii) an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal

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to the product of the fractional Common Unit and the Closing Price of Common Units on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date.  

(xi) If more than one Class A Preferred Unit shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by or for the same Class A Preferred Holder, the number of Common Units issuable upon conversion of those Class A Preferred Units shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Class A Preferred Units so surrendered.

(xii) With respect to any conversion of Preferred Units,

(1) promptly following the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date, the Partnership shall instruct the Transfer Agent to deliver or cause to be delivered to the converting Class A Preferred Holder confirmation by book-entry of the whole number of Common Units issued upon conversion of such Class A Preferred Units; and

(2) on the Business Day immediately following the applicable Class A Preferred Conversion Date, the Partnership shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the converting Class A Preferred Holder any cash payment for any fractional units that the Partnership is obligated to pay under Section 5.9(b)(x).

(xiii) If the Partnership (1) makes a distribution on its Common Units in Common Units, (2) subdivides or splits its outstanding Common Units into a greater number of Common Units, (3) combines or reclassifies its Common Units into a smaller number of Common Units or (4) issues by reclassification of its Common Units any Partnership Interest (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person), then the Class A Preferred Unit Price in effect at the time of the Record Date for such distribution or the effective date of such subdivision, split, combination or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the conversion of the Class A Preferred Units after such time shall entitle the holder to receive the aggregate number of Common Units (or shares of any Partnership Interest into which such shares of Common Units would have been combined, consolidated, merged or reclassified pursuant to clauses (3) and (4) above) that such holder would have been entitled to receive if the Class A Preferred Units had been converted into Common Units immediately prior to such Record Date or effective date, as the case may be, and in the case of a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person, the Partnership shall provide effective provisions to ensure that the provisions in this Section 5.9 relating to the Class A Preferred Units shall not be abridged or amended and that the Class A Preferred Units shall thereafter retain the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, that the Class A Preferred Units had immediately prior to such transaction or event.  An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 5.9(b)(xiii) shall become effective immediately after the Record Date in the case of a distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, reclassification (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person) or split.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event described above shall occur.

(c) Distributions .  

(i) Commencing with the Quarter ending on June 30, 2015 through the Class A Preferred Conversion Date, the holders of the Class A Preferred Units as of an applicable Record Date shall be entitled to receive distributions (each, a “ Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution ”), prior to any other distributions made in respect of the any other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5, in an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Distribution Rate on all Outstanding Class A Preferred Units. Distributions shall be paid on or about the last day of each of February, May, August and November following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending June 30, 2015.  Each Record Date established

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pursuant to this Section 5.9(c)(i) for a Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution in respect of any Quarter shall be the same Record Date established for any distribution to be made by the Company in respect of other Company Securities pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 for such Quarter.  For the Quarter ending June 30, 2015, through and including the Quarter ending June 30, 2016, Class A Preferred Quarterly Distributions shall be paid in Class A Preferred PIK Units.  For the Quarters ending from and after September 30, 2016, the Class A Preferred Quarterly Distributions may be paid in cash, in Class A Preferred PIK Units or in a combination thereof, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, but shall be paid in Class A Preferred PIK Units absent an affirmative determination otherwise by the Board of Directors.  The number of Class A Preferred PIK Units to be issued to a Class A Preferred Holder on account of its Class A Preferred Units in connection with any Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution paid in Class A Preferred PIK Units (commencing with the Quarter ending June 30, 2015) shall be determined by multiplying the Class A Preferred Distribution Rate by the number of Class A Preferred Units held by such Class A Preferred Holder.  Any fractional Class A Preferred PIK Unit will be rounded up to the nearest whole Class A Preferred PIK Unit.  Unless otherwise expressly provided, references in this Agreement to Class A Preferred Units shall include all Class A Preferred PIK Units Outstanding as of the date of such determination.  If, in violation of this Agreement, the Partnership fails to pay in full any in-kind Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution when due, then the holders entitled to the unpaid Class A Preferred PIK Units shall be entitled to Class A Preferred Quarterly Distributions in subsequent Quarters, and to all other rights under this Agreement, as if such unpaid Class A Preferred PIK Units had in fact been distributed on the date due.  Nothing in this clause (i) shall alter the obligation of the Partnership to pay any unpaid Class A Preferred PIK Units or the right of Class A Preferred Holders to enforce this Agreement to compel the Partnership to distribute any unpaid Class A Preferred PIK Units.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.9(c) to the contrary, with respect to Class A Preferred Units that are converted into Common Units, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to a Class A Preferred Unit Distribution and a Common Unit distribution with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the close of business on the applicable Record Date, together with all accrued but unpaid distributions on the converted Class A Preferred Units.

(iii) When any Class A Preferred PIK Units are payable to a Class A Preferred Holder pursuant to this Section 5.9, the Partnership shall make a notation in book-entry form in the books of the Transfer Agent, or, at the request of a Class A Preferred Holder,

issue to such Class A Preferred Holder a Certificate or Certificates for the number of Class A Preferred PIK Units to which such Class A Preferred Holder shall be entitled, and all such Class A Preferred PIK Units shall, when so issued, be duly authorized, validly issued fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien, claim, rights or encumbrances, other than those arising under the Delaware Act or this Agreement.

(iv) For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, if the Partnership issues one or more Class A Preferred PIK Units with respect to a Class A Preferred Unit, (i) the Partnership shall be treated as distributing cash with respect to such Class A Preferred Unit in an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate attributable to such Class A Preferred PIK Units, and (ii) the holder of such Class A Preferred Unit shall be treated as having contributed to the Partnership in exchange for such newly issued Class A Preferred PIK Units an amount of cash equal to the Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate attributable to such Class A Preferred PIK Units.  

(v) Accrued and unpaid distributions in respect of the Class A Preferred Units will not constitute an obligation of the Partnership.

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(d) Voting Rights . Except as provided in Section 5.9(f) or as a result of requirements imposed by the Delaware Act, the Class A Preferred Units shall have no voting rights.

(e) Certificates .  

(i) If requested by a Class A Preferred Holder, the Class A Preferred Units shall be evidenced by Certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the assignment and transfer of other Units. The Certificates evidencing Class A Preferred Units shall be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as the Certificates evidencing Common Units.

(ii) The Certificate(s) representing the Class A Preferred Units may be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER AND, IN THE CASE OF A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT OR THE ISSUER HAS RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSACTION DOES NOT

REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT. THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN (i) THE AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF THE PARTNERSHIP, DATED AS MARCH 6, 2015, AS AMENDED, AND (ii) A CLASS A PREFERRED UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE UNIT PURCHASERS PARTY THERETO, IN EACH CASE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PARTNERSHIP AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.”

(iii) In connection with a sale of Class A Preferred Units pursuant to an effective registration statement or in reliance on Rule 144 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, upon receipt by the Partnership of such information as the Partnership reasonably deems necessary to determine that the sale of the Class A Preferred Units is made in compliance with Rule 144, the Partnership shall remove or cause to be removed the restrictive legend from the Certificate(s) representing such Class A Preferred Units (or the book-entry account maintained by the Transfer Agent), and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith.

(f) Amendments .  This Section 5.9 shall not be amended in any manner that would adversely affect a Class A Preferred Holder without the prior written consent of such Class A Preferred Holder.

Section 5.10 Establishment of Class B Preferred Units.

(a) General . The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of Units, including any Class B Preferred PIK Units issued pursuant to Section 5.10(c), to be designated as “Class B Preferred Units,” having the same rights and preferences, and subject to the same duties and obligations as the Common Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.10.

(b) Conversion .  

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(i) Each of the holders of Class B Preferred Units (including a Class B Preferred PIK Unit) shall have the right, at any time at the option of such holder, to convert any number of its Class B Preferred Units in an aggregate amount exceeding the Minimum Conversion Amount into a number of Common Units equal to (A) the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference, divided by the Class B Preferred Conversion Price (the “ Class B Preferred Conversion Rate ”), multiplied by (B) the number of its Class B Preferred Units to be converted, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.10(b)(ix).     To convert Class B Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to this Section 5.10(b)(i), the Class B Preferred Holder shall give written notice (a “ Class B Preferred Conversion Notice ”) to the Partnership stating that such holder elects to so convert Class B Preferred Units into Common Units and shall state therein with respect to Class B Preferred Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 5.10(b)(i):  (a) the number of Class B Preferred Units (including Class B Preferred PIK Units) to be converted, (b) the name or names in which such holder wishes the Certificate or Certificates for Common Units to be issued, (c) the holder’s computation of the number of Common Units to be received by the holder (or designated recipients) upon the Class B Preferred Conversion Date and (d) the Class B Preferred Conversion Rate on the Class B Preferred Conversion Date. The date of any Class B Preferred Conversion Notice shall hereinafter be referred to as a “ Class B Preferred Conversion Date .”

(ii) If, on any Class B Preferred Conversion Date, the distribution pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) has not yet been made for the immediately preceding Quarter with respect to the Class B Preferred Units to be converted, the Partnership shall make a distribution pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) for such Quarter; provided, however , that if prior to the Class B Preferred Conversion Date, a Record Date for a distribution on the Common Units has been announced for such Quarter (which Record Date is after the Class B Preferred Conversion Date), then the amount to be distributed per Class B Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) and this Section 5.10(b)(ii) shall be reduced by the amount of the distribution announced for each Common Unit for such Quarter.  With respect to any Quarter in which a Class B Preferred Conversion Date occurred, the holder of converted Class B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to distributions payable pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) for such Quarter with respect to such converted Class B Preferred Units and the Common Unit distribution with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the close of business on the applicable Record Date for such Quarter.

(iii) The Partnership shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of Common Units upon conversion of Class B Preferred Units, other than the transfer taxes payable upon the issuance of Common Units upon conversion of Class B Preferred Units in a name or names other than that of the Class B Preferred Holder, which shall be paid by the converting Class B Preferred Holder.

(iv) Effective immediately prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date, distributions on the converted Class B Preferred Units shall cease to accrue and the converted Class B Preferred Units shall cease to be outstanding, in each case subject to the right of Class B Preferred Holders of such converted Class B Preferred Units to receive the consideration issuable upon conversion which they are entitled to pursuant to this Section 5.10(b).

(v) As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date, the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units upon conversion of Class B Preferred Units shall become effective and the Person entitled to receive such Common Units shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Units. Prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date, the Common Units issuable upon conversion shall be deemed not outstanding for any purpose, and Holders of Class B Preferred Units shall have no rights with respect to the Common Units issuable upon conversion by virtue of holding Class B Preferred Units.

(vi) In connection with the conversion of any Class B Preferred Units, no fractional Common Units shall be issued to the converting Class B Preferred Holders. In lieu of any fractional Common Units issuable to a Class B Preferred Holder upon conversion, the Partnership shall pay or deliver, as applicable, to the

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converting Class B Preferred Holder, at the Partnership’s option, either (i) a number of Common Units rounded up to the next whole number of units, or (ii) an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the product of the fractional Common Unit and the Closing Price of Common Units on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date.  

(vii) If more than one Class B Preferred Unit shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by or for the same Class B Preferred Holder, the number of Common Units issuable upon conversion of those Class B Preferred Units shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Class B Preferred Units so surrendered.

(viii) With respect to any conversion of Class B Preferred Units,

(1) promptly following the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date, the Partnership shall instruct the Transfer Agent to deliver or cause to be delivered to the converting Class B Preferred Holder confirmation by book-entry of the whole number of Common Units issued upon conversion of such Class B Preferred Units; and

(2) on the Business Day immediately following the applicable Class B Preferred Conversion Date, the Partnership shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the converting Class B Preferred Holder any cash payment for any fractional units that the Partnership is obligated to pay under Section 5.10(b)(vi).

(ix) If the Partnership (1) makes a distribution on its Common Units in Common Units, (2) subdivides or splits its outstanding Common Units into a greater number of Common Units, (3) combines or reclassifies its Common Units into a smaller number of Common Units or (4) issues by reclassification of its Common Units any Partnership Interest (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person), then the Class B Preferred Unit Price in effect at the time of the Record Date for such distribution or the effective date of such subdivision, split, combination or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the conversion of the Class B Preferred Units after such time shall entitle the holder to receive the aggregate number of Common Units (or shares of any Partnership Interest into which such shares of Common Units would have been combined, consolidated, merged or reclassified pursuant to clauses (3) and (4) above) that such holder would have been entitled to receive if the Class B Preferred Units had been converted into Common Units immediately prior to such Record Date or effective date, as the case may be, and in the case of a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person, the Partnership shall provide effective provisions to ensure that the provisions in this Section 5.10 relating to the Class B Preferred Units shall not be abridged or amended and that the Class B Preferred Units shall thereafter retain the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, that the Class B Preferred

Units had immediately prior to such transaction or event.  An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 5.10(b)(ix) shall become effective immediately after the Record Date in the case of a distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, reclassification (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person) or split.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event described above shall occur.

(x) The Partnership shall keep free from preemptive rights a sufficient number of Common Units to permit the conversion of all outstanding Class B Preferred Units into Common Units to the extent provided in, and in accordance with, this Section 5.10(b).

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(xi) All Common Units delivered upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Units in accordance with this Section 5.10(b) shall be (1) newly issued, (2) duly authorized, validly issued fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien, claim, rights or encumbrances, other than those arising under the Securities Act, the Delaware Act or the Partnership Agreement.

(xii) The Partnership shall comply with all applicable securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of any Common Units upon conversion of Class B Preferred Units and, if the Common Units are then listed or quoted on any National Securities Exchange shall list or cause to have quoted and keep listed and quoted the Common Units issuable upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Units to the extent permitted or required by the rules of such National Securities Exchange.

(c) Distributions .  

(i) Commencing with the Quarter ending on December 31 , 2015, the holders of the Class B Preferred Units as of an applicable Record Date shall be entitled to receive cumulative distributions (each, a “ Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution ”), prior to any other distributions made in respect of any other Partnership Interests (other than Class A Preferred Units) pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 or any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 5.9(c)), in an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Distribution Rate on all Outstanding Class B Preferred Units.  Distributions shall be paid on or about the last day of each of February, May, August and November following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending December 31 , 2015 (pro rata for the period between the Class B Preferred Issue Date and the last day of such Quarter).  Each Record Date established pursuant to this Section 5.10(c)(i) for a Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution in respect of any Quarter shall be the same Record Date established for any distribution to be made by the Company in respect of other Company Securities pursuant to Section 5.9(c), Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 for such Quarter.  The Class B Preferred Quarterly Distributions may be paid either 100% in cash or in a combination of cash and Class B Preferred PIK Units, as more particularly set forth in the definition of Class B Preferred Distribution Rate, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  The amount of cash paid to a Class B Preferred Holder on account of each Class B Preferred Unit held by such Class B Preferred Holder shall be determined by multiplying the Class B Preferred Distribution Rate by the Class B Preferred Unit Price applicable to such Class B Preferred Unit.  The number of Class B Preferred PIK Units to be issued to a Class B Preferred Holder on account of its Class B Preferred Units in connection with any Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution paid in Class B Preferred PIK Units shall be determined by multiplying the Class B Preferred Distribution Rate by the number of Class B Preferred Units held by such Class B Preferred Holder.  Any fractional Class B Preferred PIK Unit will be rounded up to the nearest whole Class B Preferred PIK Unit.  Unless otherwise expressly provided, references in this Agreement to Class B Preferred Units shall include all Class B Preferred PIK Units Outstanding as of the date of such determination.  If, in violation of this Agreement, the Partnership fails to pay in full any in-kind portion of a Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution when due, then the holders entitled to the unpaid Class B Preferred PIK Units shall be entitled to Class B Preferred Quarterly Distributions in subsequent Quarters, and to all other rights under this Agreement, as if such unpaid Class B Preferred PIK Units had in fact been distributed on the date due.  Nothing in this Section 5.10(c)(i) shall alter the obligation of the Partnership to pay any unpaid Class B Preferred PIK Units or the right of Class B Preferred Holders to enforce this Agreement to compel the Partnership to distribute any unpaid Class B Preferred PIK Units.

(ii) Each Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution (or, if applicable, portion thereof) for any Quarter that is payable in cash shall be paid in cash unless either the Partnership’s Available Cash is insufficient to pay the Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution or such payment is prohibited by the terms of the Partnership’s material financing agreements, in which case (A) the amount of such accrued and unpaid

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distributions will accumulate until paid in full in cash, (B) the balance of such accrued and unpaid distributions shall increase at a rate of 10% per annum, compounded quarterly, from the date such distribution was due until the date it is paid and (C) the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall not, declare or make (i) any cash distributions in respect of any Junior Securities or (ii) any cash distributions in respect of any Parity Securities, in each case, unless and until all accrued and unpaid cash distributions on the Class B Preferred Units have been paid in full in cash.    

(iii) Unless Available Cash less cash on hand from Working Capital Borrowings or other amounts borrowed under the Existing Credit Facility during the Quarter or subsequent to Quarter-end at the time of such distribution equals at least 1.65 times the sum of (i) the aggregate cash component of such Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution and (ii) the aggregate cash component, if any, of the Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter, the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall not, declare or make (A) any cash distributions in respect of any Junior Securities or (B) any cash distributions in respect of any Parity Securities.

(iv) When any Class B Preferred PIK Units are payable to a Class B Preferred Holder pursuant to this Section 5.10, the Partnership shall make a notation in book-entry form in the books of the Transfer Agent, or, at the request of a Class B Preferred Holder, issue to such Class B Preferred Holder a Certificate or Certificates for the number of Class B Preferred PIK Units to which such Class B Preferred Holder shall be entitled, and all such Class B Preferred PIK Units shall, when so issued, be duly authorized, validly issued fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien, claim, rights or encumbrances, other than those arising under the Delaware Act or this Agreement.  

(v) The Partnership shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of Class B Preferred PIK Units, other than the transfer taxes payable upon the issuance of Class B Preferred PIK Units in a name or names other than that of the Class B Preferred Holder, which shall be paid by the converting Class B Preferred Holder.

(vi) For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts and as otherwise set forth herein, if the Partnership issues one or more Class B Preferred PIK Units with respect to a Class B Preferred Unit, (i) the Partnership shall be treated as distributing cash with respect to such Class B Preferred Unit in an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Distribution Rate attributable to such Class B Preferred PIK Units (rounded up as appropriate with respect to each whole Class B Preferred PIK Unit issued in lieu of a fractional interest therein), and (ii) the holder of such Class B Preferred Unit shall be treated as having contributed to the Partnership in exchange for such newly issued Class B Preferred PIK Units an amount of cash equal to the amount treated as distributed pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i).

(vii) Accrued and unpaid distributions in respect of the Class B Preferred Units will not constitute an obligation of the Partnership.  

(d) Redemption .    

(i) The Partnership shall have the right to redeem Outstanding Class B Preferred Units as follows:

(A) commencing January 1, 2018 through and including December 31, 2018, the Partnership shall have the right to redeem 33.33% of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units for cash in an amount equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the Class B Preferred Redemption Date) of a Common Unit and (II) 130% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference;

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(B) commencing January 1, 2019 through and including December 31, 2019, the Partnership shall have the right to redeem 66.67% of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units as of January 1, 2018, less any Class B Preferred Units already redeemed pursuant to clause (A), for cash in an amount equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the Class B Preferred Redemption Date) of a Common Unit and (II) 120% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference;

(C) commencing January 1, 2020 through and including December 31, 2020, the Partnership shall have the right to redeem 100% of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units for cash in an amount equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the Class B Preferred Redemption Date) of a Common Unit and (II) 110% of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference; and

(D) commencing January 1, 2021, the Partnership shall have the right to redeem 100% of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units for cash in an amount equal to the number of Class B Preferred Units so redeemed multiplied by the greater of (I) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the Class B Preferred Redemption Date) of a Common Unit and (II) the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference.

(ii) Failure to redeem the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units on or before December 31, 2021 shall be a breach by the Partnership of this Agreement, and the Class B Preferred Holders shall be entitled to pursue any and all rights or remedies that may be available to them at law or in equity in respect of such breach.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, if all Outstanding Class B Preferred Units are not redeemed on or before December 31, 2021, then (A) the Class B Quarterly Distribution payable from and after December 31, 2021 in respect of the Class B Preferred Units not redeemed shall be in an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Increased Distribution Rate on all Outstanding Class B Preferred Units and (B) 100% of all Adjusted Available Cash on hand and thereafter received by the Partnership shall be distributed to the Class B Preferred Holders, pro rata in accordance with each Class B Preferred Holder’s ownership of Outstanding Class B Preferred Units, within five (5) Business Days after the end of each month, with the first distribution to occur no later than the fifth Business Day of January 2022 and continuing until all Outstanding Class B Preferred Units have been redeemed in accordance with Section 5.10(d)(i)(D).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the right of the Class B Preferred Holders to have their Outstanding Class B Preferred Units redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.10(d)(ii) will be senior in right of payment to all distributions or redemptions of Partnership Interests by the Partnership. 

(iii) Immediately prior to the redemption of the Class B Preferred Units on a Class B Preferred Redemption Date, the Partnership shall (A) with respect to the immediately preceding Quarter for which a distribution pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) has not yet been made, make a distribution pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) for such Quarter with respect to the Class B Preferred Units being redeemed and (B) with respect to the period from the beginning of the Quarter in which a Class B Preferred Redemption Date occurs through such Class B Preferred Redemption Date, make a distribution pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(i) for such period equal to (y) the product obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Class B Preferred Units held by such Class B Preferred Holder on such Class B Preferred Redemption Date that are being redeemed by (2) the Class B Preferred Distribution Rate, and multiplying such result by (z) a quotient obtained by dividing (1) the number of days from the beginning of the Quarter in which such Class B Preferred Redemption Date occurs through and including such Class B Preferred Redemption Date, by (2) the total number of days in the Quarter in which such Class B Preferred Redemption Date occurs.  For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution pursuant to this Section 5.10(d)(iii) shall not be considered part of the Class B Preferred Liquidation Preference.

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(iv) No later than three (3) Trading Days before the Class B Preferred Redemption Date, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto (the “ Class B Preferred Redemption Notice ”) to the Class B Preferred Holders stating that all or a portion of the Class B Preferred Units will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.10(d) on the Class B Preferred Redemption Date.  The Class B Preferred Redemption Notice shall state therein the number of Class B Preferred Units to be redeemed and the Partnership’s computation of the cash amount to be received by the Class B Preferred Holders upon redemption of such Class B Preferred Units.

(v) No later than ten (10) Trading Days following the Class B Preferred Redemption Date, the Partnership shall remit the applicable cash consideration to the Class B Preferred Holders.  The Class B Preferred Holders shall deliver to the Partnership any Certificates representing the Class B Preferred Units as soon as practicable following the Class B Preferred Redemption Date.  Class B Preferred Holders shall retain all of the rights and privileges of the Class B Preferred Units unless and until the full cash consideration due to them as a result of such redemption shall be paid in full in cash.

(e) Voting Rights; Amendment .  

(i) Subject to the Board Representation and Standstill Agreement, the Class B Preferred Units will have such voting rights pursuant to this Agreement identical to the voting rights of the Common Units and shall vote together with the Common Units as a single class, so that the Class B Preferred Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Class B Preferred PIK Units) will be entitled to one vote for each Common Unit into which such Class B Preferred Units are convertible, except that the Class B Preferred Units shall be entitled to vote as a separate class on any matter on which Unitholders are entitled to vote that adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Class B Preferred Units in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect or as required by law or as otherwise set forth in this Section 5.10(e).  The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units, voting separately as a class with one vote per Class B Preferred Unit, shall be required to approve any matter for which the Class B Preferred Holders are entitled to vote as a separate class.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition to all other requirements imposed by Delaware law, and all other voting rights granted under this Agreement, the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units, voting separately as a class with one vote per Class B Preferred Unit, shall be necessary to amend this Agreement in any manner that (A) alters or changes the rights, powers, privileges or preferences or duties and obligations of the Class B Preferred Units in any material respect, (B)  results in the issuance of Class A Preferred Units or any additional Class B Preferred Units, other than Class A Preferred PIK Units issued pursuant to Section 5.9, Class B Preferred PIK Units or Class B Preferred Units created pursuant to Section 5.10(g), or (C) otherwise adversely affects the Class B Preferred Units, including, without limitation, the creation (by reclassification or otherwise) or issuance of any class of Senior Securities or Parity Securities (or amending the provisions of any existing class of Partnership Interests to make such class of Partnership Interests a class of Senior Securities or Parity Securities);  provided, however , that the Partnership may, without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units, create (by reclassification or otherwise) and issue Junior Securities (including by amending the provisions of any existing class of Partnership Interests to make such class of Partnership Interests a class of Junior Securities) in an unlimited amount.

(iii) To the extent that any proposed amendment to this Agreement would adversely affect any Class B Preferred Holder in a disproportionate manner as compared to any other Class B Preferred Holder, the consent of such Class B Preferred Holder so adversely and disproportionately affected, in addition to the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Class B Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.10(e)(ii), shall be necessary to effect such amendment.

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(f) Common Equity Commitment .  On or before September 30, 2016, the Partnership shall use good faith efforts to issue, in one or more transactions (excluding issuances pursuant to the LTIP), additional Common Units in exchange for cash in an aggregate amount equal to at least $75,000,000; provided, however , that if any Class A Preferred Units are converted into Common Units at the Class A Preferred Conversion Rate (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.9(b)(xiii)) pursuant to Section 5.9(b) on or before September 30, 2016, then the aggregate amount of $75,000,000 shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference, multiplied by the number of Class A Preferred Common Units so converted.

(g) Adjustment to Class B Preferred Unit Price .  During the Subsequent Issuance Period, if the Partnership issues any Common Units (including pursuant to a Qualified Public Offering or an at-the-market offering, but excluding issuances pursuant to the LTIP) at a price less than $18.00 per Common Unit, then the following adjustments shall be made promptly, but in no event later than 10 Business Days, following the end of the Subsequent Issuance Period:

(i) the definition of “Class B Preferred Unit Price” shall be deemed to be equal to the volume weighted average price for which such Common Units were issued during the Subsequent Issuance Period; and

(ii) the number of Class B Preferred Units held by each Class B Preferred Holder shall be split to take into account the new Class B Preferred Unit Price such that each Class B Preferred Holder shall hold a number of Class B Preferred Units equal to (A) $18.00, divided by (B) the volume weighted average price for which such Common Units were issued during the Subsequent Issuance Period, multiplied by (C) the number of Class B Preferred Units held by such Class B Preferred Holder, and any fractional Class B Preferred Unit resulting from such calculation will be rounded up to the nearest whole Class B Preferred Unit.  

(h) Certificates .  

(i) If requested by a Class B Preferred Holder, the Class B Preferred Units shall be evidenced by Certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the assignment and transfer of other Units. The Certificates evidencing Class B Preferred Units shall be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as the Certificates evidencing Common Units.

(ii) The Certificate(s) representing the Class B Preferred Units may be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

“THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER AND, IN THE CASE OF A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT OR THE ISSUER HAS RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSACTION DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT. THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN (i) THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF THE PARTNERSHIP, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2015 , AND (ii) THE CLASS B PREFERRED UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE UNIT

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PURCHASERS PARTY THERETO, IN EACH CASE, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PARTNERSHIP AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.”

(iii) In connection with a sale of Class B Preferred Units pursuant to an effective registration statement or in reliance on Rule 144 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, upon receipt by the Partnership of such information as the Partnership reasonably deems necessary to determine that the sale of the Class B Preferred Units is made in compliance with Rule 144, the Partnership shall remove or cause to be removed the restrictive legend from the Certificate(s) representing such Class B Preferred Units (or the book-entry account maintained by the Transfer Agent), and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith.

Article VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

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

 

    (a) Net Income .  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and Section 6.1(e), Net Income for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First ,   to the General Partner until the Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iv) for all previous taxable periods;

(ii) Second , to the Class A Preferred Holders in proportion to the amounts to be allocated to each of them under this Section 6.1(a)(ii) until the Net Income allocated to such holders of Class A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the Class A Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable periods;

(iii) Third , to the Class B Preferred Holders in proportion to the amounts to be allocated to each of them under this Section 6.1(a)(iii) until the Net Income allocated to such holders of Class B Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(iii) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the Class B Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods; and

(iv) The balance , if any, 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them).

(b) Net Loss .  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and Section 6.1(e), Net Loss for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First ,   to the Unitholders (other than Preferred Holders), Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them); provided , that Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any such Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account) as such Adjusted Capital Account would be determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by such Unitholder;

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(ii) Second , to the Class B Preferred Holders pro rata in accordance with the number of Class B Preferred Units held by them; provided , that the Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any such Class B Preferred Holder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);

(iii) Third , to the Class A Preferred Holders pro rata in accordance with the number of Class A Preferred Units held by them; provided , that the Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(iii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any such Class A Preferred Holder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(iv) The balance , if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses.  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d) and Section 6.1(e), Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for each taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section 6.1(c). All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of cash and cash equivalents provided under Section 5.9, Section 6.3, Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however , that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.

(i) Subject to the provisions set forth in the last sentence of this Section 6.1(c)(i), Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated:

(A) First ,   to the General Partner until the Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i)(A) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Termination Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D) for all previous taxable periods;

(B) Second ,   to the Class A Preferred Holders in proportion to the amounts to be allocated to each of them under this Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) until the Net Termination Gain allocated to such Class A Preferred Holders pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Termination Loss allocated to the Class A Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(C) for all previous taxable periods;

(C) Third , to the Class B Preferred Holders in proportion to the amounts to be allocated to each of them under this Section 6.1(c)(i)(C) until the Net Termination Gain allocated to such Class B Preferred Holders pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i)(C) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Termination Loss allocated to the Class B Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(B) for all previous taxable periods;

(D) Fourth ,   to all Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(d) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter, and (3) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to

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Section 6.4(d) for such period (the sum of (1), (2), and (3)  is hereinafter referred to as the “ First Liquidation Target Amount ”);

(E) Fifth , 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 87% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(e) for such period (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Second Liquidation Target Amount ”);

(F) Sixth , 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 77% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(f) for such period (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter defined as the “ Third Liquidation Target Amount ”); and

(G) Finally , 35.5% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 64.5% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions in this Section 6.1(c)(i), the General Partner may (1) adjust the amount of any Net Termination Gain arising in connection with a Revaluation Event that is allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in a manner that will result (i) in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value and (ii) to the greatest extent possible, the Capital Account with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights that are Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the amount of Net Termination Gain that would be allocated to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i) if the Capital Accounts with respect to all Partnership Interests that were Outstanding immediately prior to such Revaluation Event and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property were equal to zero and (2) adjust the allocations of any Net Termination Gain arising in connection with a redemption of Class B Preferred Units, so as to cause the Per Unit Capital Amount associated with each Class B Preferred Unit being redeemed (after adjustment to take into account required allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction) to equal, to the maximum extent possible, the Class B Preferred Unit Liquidation Amount with respect to such Class B Preferred Unit.

(ii) Net Termination Loss shall be allocated:

(A) First , to all Unitholders, Pro Rata (determined without regard to any Preferred Units then held by them) until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

(B) Second , to the Class B Preferred Holders, pro rata in accordance with the number of Class B Preferred Units held by them until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;  

(C) Third ,   to the Class A Preferred Holders, pro rata in accordance with the number of Class A Preferred Units held by them until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and

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(D) The balance , if any, 100% to the General Partner.

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

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

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

(iii) Priority Allocations .

(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) with respect to a Unit for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit within the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “ Excess Distribution ” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “ Excess Distribution Unit ”), then there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution; provided, however , that this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) shall not apply to any Excess Distribution in respect to or measured by a distribution to a Preferred Unit.

(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable period.

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

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

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

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

(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities .  For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated as determined by the General Partner in accordance with any permissible method under Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3).

(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments .  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or Simulated Gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss or Simulated Loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.3, and such item of gain, loss, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

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(x) Exercise of Noncompensatory Option .  Upon the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, including a conversion of a Preferred Unit into a Common Unit, the Company shall make such special allocations as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(2).

(xi) Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law .

(A) With respect to an event triggering an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.3(d) during any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.8, any Unrealized Gains and Unrealized Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to such IDR Reset Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.8 equaling the product of (1) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (2) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

(B) With respect to any taxable period during which an IDR Reset Common Unit is transferred to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the transferor, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the transferor Partner of such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit until such transferor Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit to an amount equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

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

(xii) Curative Allocation .

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

(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that

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might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

(xiii) Equalization of Capital Accounts With Respect to Privately Placed Units . Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss deemed recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event shall first be allocated to the (A) Unitholders holding Privately Placed Units, Pro Rata, or (B) Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, as applicable, to the extent necessary to cause the Capital Account in respect of each Privately Placed Unit then Outstanding to equal the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit (other than Privately Placed Units) then Outstanding.

(xiv) Corrective and Other Allocations .  In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:

(A) The General Partner shall allocate Additional Book Basis Derivative Items consisting of depreciation, amortization, Simulated Depletion or any other form of cost recovery (other than Additional Book Basis Derivative Items included in Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) with respect to any Adjusted Property to the Unitholders and the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, all in the same proportion as the Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss resulting from the Revaluation Event that gave rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to them pursuant to Section 6.1(c).

(B) If a sale or other taxable disposition of an Adjusted Property (“ Disposed of Adjusted Property ”) occurs other than in connection with an event giving rise to Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, the General Partner shall allocate (1) items of gross income and gain (aa) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and (bb) to the Unitholders, or (2) items of deduction and loss (aa) away from the Unitholders and (bb) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the Disposed of Adjusted Property (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items) treated as having been allocated to the Unitholders pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(B) exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property.  For purposes of this Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(B), the Unitholders shall be treated as having been allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders under the Partnership Agreement.  Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xiv) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations .

(C) Net Termination Loss in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) such Net Termination Loss and (2) the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible, the Capital Account balances of the Partners will equal the amount they would have been had no prior Book-Up Events occurred, and any remaining Net Termination Loss shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.  In allocating Net Termination Loss pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(C), the General Partner shall attempt, to the extent possible, to cause the Capital Accounts of the Unitholders, on the one hand, and holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, on the other hand, to equal the amount they would equal if (i) the Carrying Values of the Partnership’s property had not been previously adjusted in connection with any prior Book-Up Events, (ii) Unrealized Gain and Unrealized Loss (or, in the case of a liquidation, actual gain or loss) with respect to such Partnership Property were determined with respect to such unadjusted Carrying Values, and (iii) any resulting Net Termination Gain had been allocated pursuant

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to Section 6.1(c)(i) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the provisions set forth in the last sentence of Section 6.1(c)(i)) .

(D) In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xiv), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xiv).  Without limiting the foregoing, if an Adjusted Property is contributed by the Partnership to another entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (the “ lower tier partnership ”), the General Partner may make allocations similar to those described in Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(A) through Section 6.1(d)(xiv)(C) to the extent the General Partner determines such allocations are necessary to account for the Partnership’s allocable share of income, gain, loss and deduction of the lower tier partnership that relate to the contributed Adjusted Property in a manner that is consistent with the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xiv) .

(xv) Allocations with respect to Preferred Units .

(A) Items of Partnership gross income shall be allocated to the Preferred Holders in amounts equal to the amount of cash actually distributed in respect of each such holder’s Preferred Units and the amount of cash treated as having been distributed with respect to Class B Preferred Units upon issuance of PIK Units, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated pursuant hereto for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all cash distributions actually made to the Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 5.9(c)(i) or Section 5.10(c), as applicable, or treated as having been made upon the issuance of PIK Units pursuant to Section 5.10(c)(vi) (for the avoidance of doubt, without taking into account the cash distribution treated as made to the Class A Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 5.9(c)(iv)); provided that the allocations to a Preferred Holder with respect to any distributions provided under this Section 6.1(d)(xv) shall be reduced to the extent such distributions are properly treated as guaranteed payments under Section 707(c) of the Code or payments to such Preferred Holder other than in its capacity as a partner pursuant to Section 707(a) of the Code.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if (A) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion or redemption of the last Outstanding Preferred Unit and (B) after tentatively making all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Per Unit Capital Amount of each Class A Preferred Unit does not equal or exceed the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference with respect to the Outstanding Class A Preferred Units or the Per Unit Capital Amount of each Class B Preferred Unit does not equal or exceed the Class B Preferred Unit Liquidation Amount, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner, to the maximum extent possible, first to cause the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit to equal the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference, and then to cause the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit to equal the Class B Preferred Unit Liquidation Amount.  For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Per Unit Capital Amount balances described above, items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, shall be reallocated from the Unitholders holding Units other than Preferred Units to Preferred Holders.  In the event that (i) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time) prescribed by law for the filing of the Partnership’s federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (ii) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Section 6.1(d)(xv)(B) fails to achieve the Per Unit Capital Amounts described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise

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be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among all Partners in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xv)(B), cause, first, the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit to equal the Class A Preferred Liquidation Preference and then, the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit to equal the Class B Preferred Unit Liquidation Amount.

(e) Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss .

(i) Except as otherwise required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k), Simulated Depletion with respect to each oil and gas property shall be allocated (A) first, among the Common Unitholders Pro Rata until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; (B) second, to the Class B Preferred Holders, pro rata in accordance with the number of Class B Preferred Units held by them until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; (C) third, to the Class A Preferred Holders, pro rata in accordance with the number of Class A Preferred Units held by them until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and (D) thereafter, to the General Partner.

(ii) Simulated Loss with respect to the disposition of an oil and gas property shall be allocated among the Partners in proportion to their allocable share of total amount realized from such disposition under Section 6.2(c)(i).

Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes .

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

(b) The deduction for depletion with respect to each separate oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) shall be computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes separately by the Partners rather than by the Partnership in accordance with Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code. Except as provided in Section 6.2(c)(iii), for purposes of such computation (before taking into account any adjustments resulting from an election made by the Partnership under Section 754 of the Code), the adjusted tax basis of each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner to permit the Partners to take deductions for depletion, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the maximum extent permissible in a manner consistent with the Partnership’s allocations of Simulated Depletion. Each Partner shall separately keep records of his adjusted tax basis in each oil and gas property, as initially determined by the General Partner as provided above, adjust such share of the adjusted tax basis for any cost or percentage depletion allowable with respect to such property, and use such adjusted tax basis in the computation of its cost depletion or in the computation of his gain or loss on the disposition of such property by the Partnership.

(c) Except as provided in Section 6.2(c)(iii), for the purposes of the separate computation of gain or loss by each Partner on the sale or disposition of each separate oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code), the Partnership’s allocable share of the “amount realized” (as such term is defined in Section 1001(b) of the Code) from such sale or disposition shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:  

(i) first, to the extent such amount realized constitutes a recovery of the Simulated Basis of the property, to the Partners in the same proportion as the depletable basis of such property was allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(b) (without regard to any special allocation of basis under Section 6.2(c)(iii));

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(ii) second, the remainder of such amount realized, if any, to the Partners so that, to the maximum extent possible, the amount realized allocated to each Partner under this Section 6.1(c)(ii) will equal such Partner’s share of the Simulated Gain recognized by the Partnership from such sale or disposition.

(iii) The Partners recognize that with respect to Contributed Property and Adjusted Property there will be a difference between the Carrying Value of such property at the time of contribution or revaluation, as the case may be, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at that time. All items of tax depreciation, cost recovery, amortization, adjusted tax basis of depletable properties, amount realized and gain or loss with respect to such Contributed Property and Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners to take into account the disparities between the Carrying Values and the adjusted tax basis with respect to such properties in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d).

(d) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, other than oil and gas properties pursuant to Section 6.2(c), items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section 6.1(d)(xi)(C)); provided , that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.

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

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

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

(h) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided ,   however , that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership

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Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for federal income tax purposes.  The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent the General Partner determines necessary or appropriate to comply with Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder or for the proper administration of the Partnership.

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

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

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

(a) On or about the last day of each of February, May, August and November following the end of each Quarter, beginning with the Quarter in which the Conversion Date occurs, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner.  All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of cash and cash equivalents theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter.  Any remaining amounts of cash and cash equivalents distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “ Capital Surplus .” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement or otherwise made by the Partnership shall be made subject to Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all Partnership assets shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

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

Section 6.4 Distributions from Operating Surplus . Cash and cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.4(b) in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant thereto:

(a) First , to the Unitholders holding Class A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution;

(b) Second , to the Unitholders holding Class B Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution;

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(c) Third , to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(d) Fourth , to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(e) Fifth , (A) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (B) 87% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

(f) Sixth , (A) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (B) 77% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

(g) Thereafter , (A) 35.5% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (B) 64.5% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata ;

provided ,   however , that if the Target Distributions have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(g).

Section 6.5 Distributions from Capital Surplus .  Cash and cash equivalents that are distributed and deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise;

(a) First , 100% to Unitholders holding Class A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Class A Preferred Quarterly Distribution;

(b) Second , 100% to Unitholders holding Class B Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Class B Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Class B Preferred Quarterly Distribution;

(c) Third , 100% to Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Minimum Quarterly Distribution has been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a); and

(d) Thereafter , all cash and cash equivalents that are distributed shall be distributed as if they were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.

Section 6.6 Adjustment of Target Distribution Levels .

(a) The Target Distributions shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Interests.  In the event of a distribution of cash or cash equivalents that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then-applicable Target Distributions shall be reduced in the same proportion that the distribution had to the fair market value of the Common Units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution.  If the Common Units are publicly traded on a National Securities Exchange, the fair market value will be the Current Market Price before the ex-dividend date.  If the Common Units are not publicly traded, the fair market value will be determined by the Board of Directors.

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(b) The Target Distributions shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.8 and Section 6.8.

Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of IDR Reset Common Units .

(a) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer an IDR Reset Common Unit (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.3(c)(ii).

(b) A Unitholder holding an IDR Reset Common Unit shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that upon transfer each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and U.S. federal income tax characteristics to the transferee, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and U.S. federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit to such transferee.  In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(b), the General Partner may apply Section 5.3(c)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(xi) and Section 6.7(a) or, to the extent not resulting in a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units, take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such IDR Reset Common Units.

Section 6.8 Entity-Level Taxation .  If legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of existing legislation is modified by a governmental authority, which after giving effect to such enactment or modification, results in a Group Member becoming subject to federal, state or local or non-U.S. income or withholding taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes due from the Group Member prior to such enactment or modification (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase in the rate of such taxation applicable to the Group Member), then the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, reduce the Target Distributions by the amount of income or withholding taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the “ Incremental Income Taxes ”), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section 6.8.  If the General Partner elects to reduce the Target Distributions for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “ Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ”) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined.  For each such Quarter, the Target Distributions, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.8 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) cash and cash equivalents with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of cash and cash equivalents with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner.  For purposes of the foregoing, cash and cash equivalents with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.

Section 6.9 Special Provisions Relating to the Preferred Holders .

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Preferred Holder shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided ,   however , that immediately upon the conversion of any Preferred Unit into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.9(b) or Section 5.10(b), the Unitholder holding a Preferred Unit that is converted shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units.

(b) A Unitholder holding a Preferred Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.9(b) or Section 5.10(b) shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1 and shall not be permitted to transfer its converted Preferred Units to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that upon transfer, each such converted Preferred Unit

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should have intrinsic economic and U.S. federal income tax characteristics to the transferee, in all material respects, that are the same as the intrinsic economic and U.S. federal income tax characteristics that a Common Unit (other than a converted Preferred Unit) would have to such transferee upon transfer, provided that in all events such determination shall be made within 5 Business Days of the date of conversion or receipt by the Partnership of the notice of transfer, as applicable. The General Partner shall act in good faith and shall make the determinations set forth in this Section 6.9(b) as soon as practicable following a Preferred Conversion Date or as earlier provided herein.

Article VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management .

(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5.10, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and powers to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no other Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership.  In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 5.10 and Section 7.4, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(vii) the selection, employment, retention and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys,

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accountants, consultants and contractors of the General Partner or the Partnership Group and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

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

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

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

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

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

(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance, purchase or other acquisition of options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership Interests;

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

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

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

Section 7.2 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties .    

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(a) Each Limited Partner and any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, hereby agrees that (i) all fiduciary duties that would or could otherwise be owed to such Persons or to the Partnership by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or by any Indemnitee under the Delaware Act or any other applicable law are hereby eliminated and (ii) the only duties owed by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any Indemnitee to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in any Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement shall be the duties expressly provided under this Agreement and any duties provided under the Delaware Act or other applicable law that cannot be eliminated by agreement.

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

Section 7.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership .  The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.  To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.  Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Partner.

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

Section 7.5 Reimbursement of the General Partner .

(a) The General Partner and its Affiliates, without duplication, shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person (including Affiliates of the General Partner), to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group, including the fees and expenses payable by the Partnership pursuant to the Transaction Agreements), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates).  The General Partner shall determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to the General Partner or any member of the Partnership Group.  Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.  The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a

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management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment for such management fee exceeds the amount of such fee.

(b) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof except and to the extent required under the rules of a National Securities Exchange to which the Partnership or its securities are subject), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership benefit plans, programs and practices (including the LTIP and other plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests (or other awards under the LTIP) in connection with, or pursuant to, any benefit plan, program or practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner or its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group.  The Partnership agrees to issue or sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees, officers, consultants and directors pursuant to any such benefit plans, programs or practices.  Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates, from the Partnership or otherwise, to fulfill awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.5(a).  Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any benefit plans, programs or practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.5(b) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

Section 7.6 Outside Activities .

(a) The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (B) the acquisition, ownership or disposition of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member or (C) the guarantee of, and mortgage, pledge, or encumbrance of any or all of its assets in connection with, any indebtedness of any Group Member.

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

(c) Subject to the terms of Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.6 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary or any other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, or obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Persons (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Unrestricted Persons shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to present business opportunities to the

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

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

Section 7.7 Indemnification .

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

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

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

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

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Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

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

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

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

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

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

Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees .

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

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

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

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

Section 7.9 Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .

(a) Whenever the General Partner, the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any Affiliates of the General Partner cause the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, the Board of Directors, such committee or such Affiliates causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any higher standard contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.  A determination, other action or failure to act by the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) will be deemed to be in good faith unless the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) believed such determination, other action or failure to act was adverse to the interests of the Partnership; provided , that if the Board of Directors of the General Partner is making a determination or taking or declining to take an action pursuant to clause (iii) or clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.9(c), then in lieu thereof, such determination or other action or inaction will be deemed to be in good faith for all purposes of this Agreement unless the Board of Directors of the General Partner believed such determination, other action or inaction did not meet the standard set forth in clause (iii) or (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.9(c), as applicable; provided ,   further , that if the Board of Directors of the General Partner is making a determination that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of a Conflicts Committee, then in lieu thereof, such determination will be deemed to be in good faith for all purposes of this Agreement unless the Board of Directors of the General Partner believed that the director did not satisfy the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee.  In any proceeding brought by the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement challenging such action, determination or failure to act, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or failure to act was not in good faith.

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

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(c) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement on the other hand, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership).  The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval or Unitholder approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever the General Partner makes a determination to refer any potential conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, seek Unitholder Approval or adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder Approval, then the General Partner shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action shall be permitted to do so in its sole discretion.  If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors of the General Partner acted in good faith.  In any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging any action by the Conflicts Committee with respect to any matter referred to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval by the General Partner, any action by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in determining whether the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above or whether a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption that the Conflicts Committee or the Board of Directors of the General Partner, as applicable, acted in good faith; in all cases subject to the provisions for conclusive determination in Section 7.10(b).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty hereunder or existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

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

(e) The Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group

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Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

(f) For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), the officers of the General Partner or any Affiliates of the General Partner make a determination on behalf of the General Partner, or cause the General Partner to take or omit to take any action, whether in the General Partner’s capacity as the General Partner or in its individual capacity, the standards of care applicable to the General Partner shall apply to such Persons, and such Persons shall be entitled to all benefits and rights of the General Partner hereunder, including waivers and modifications of duties, protections and presumptions, as if such Persons were the General Partner hereunder.

(g) The Limited Partners expressly acknowledge and agree that none of the General Partner, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof is under any obligation to consider the separate interests of the Limited Partners (including, without limitation, the tax consequences to Limited Partners) in deciding whether to cause the Partnership to take (or decline to take) any actions, and that none of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee shall be liable to the Limited Partners for monetary damages or equitable relief or losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by Limited Partners in connection with such decisions.

Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees .

(a) The General Partner, the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) and any other Indemnitee may rely upon, and shall be protected from liability to the Partnership, any Partner, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest, and any other Person bound by this Agreement in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) The General Partner, the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers (collectively, “ Advisers ”) selected by it, and any act taken or omitted in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner or such Indemnitee reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, hereby agrees that so long as the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) referenced above is of an Adviser as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence, the conclusive good faith presumption will apply irrespective of the matters included in or omitted from any such advice or opinion.

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

Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests .  The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership Interests.  As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein.  The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Article IV and Article X.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise applicable provision of law or equity, any Partnership Interests or options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership Interests that are purchased or otherwise acquired by the Partnership or any Group Member may, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be canceled or held by the Partnership in treasury and, if so held in treasury,

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shall no longer be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose. For the avoidance of doubt, Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments that are canceled or held by the Partnership in treasury (a) shall not be allocated Net Income (Loss) pursuant to Article VI, (b)  shall not be entitled to distributions pursuant to Article VI, and (c) shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes.

Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates .

(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Interests that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Interests (the “ Holder ”) to dispose of the number of Partnership Interests it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Interests covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Interests specified by the Holder; provided ,   however , that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); provided, further , that if the General Partner determines that a postponement of the requested registration would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter.  In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided ,   however , that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Interests subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Interests in such states.  Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to a benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of Partnership Interests held by any Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided ,   however, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the Partnership Interests of the Holder once the registration statement becomes or is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of Partnership Interests pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act.  If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Interests would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of Partnership Interests held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering.  Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.  During the two-year period set forth in Section 7.12(d), the Partnership shall not grant to any other Person registration rights similar to the rights set forth in this Section 7.12(b) that are superior

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to such rights without the consent of the General Partner (and any of its Affiliates) that holds rights pursuant to this Section 7.12(b).

(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters.  Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a “ claim ” and in the plural as “ claims ”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Interests were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(d) The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Interests with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file after such two-year period successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Interests for which registration was demanded during such two-year period.  The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.

(e) The rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of such Partnership Interests, provided (i) the Partnership is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Partnership Interests with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 7.12.

(f) Any request to register Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Interests intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such Partnership Interests for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Interests, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Interests.

(g) The Partnership may enter into separate registration rights agreements with the General Partner or any of its Affiliates.

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Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially.  Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing.  In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives.  Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

Article VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

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

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

Section 8.3 Reports .

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

(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a

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report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

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

Article IX
TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information .  The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner.  In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31.  The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends; provided that, if the 90 th day is not a Business Day, then the 90 th day shall be deemed to be the next Business Day.  The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2 Tax Elections .

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

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

Section 9.3 Tax Controversies .  Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith.  Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.

Section 9.4 Withholding; Tax Payments .

(a) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, all or less than all of the Partners, either as a distribution of cash to such Partners or as a general expense of the Partnership, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

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

(c) If any Partner (or any of its direct or indirect owners or Affiliates) is required to join in the filing of a combined group tax return for Texas franchise tax purposes with any member of the Partnership Group, the Partnership shall prepare such combined group return or reimburse such Partner for the cost of preparing such combined group return, and if such Partner (or any of its direct or indirect owners or Affiliates) pays the Texas franchise tax due with respect to such combined group return, the Partnership shall promptly reimburse the Partner in an amount equal to the incremental amount of Texas franchise tax due to the State of Texas (or any agency or instrumentality thereof) from such Partner (or any of its direct or indirect owners or Affiliates).  No amounts reimbursed pursuant hereto shall be treated as a distribution to the Partner with respect to its Partnership Interest (and instead will be treated as a reimbursement of Partnership expenses paid by the Partner or its Affiliates).  The Partnership and the Partners shall cooperate in the preparation and filing of any such tax returns, including sharing of information reasonably necessary to the preparation of such tax returns.

Article X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners .

(a) A Person shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement if such Person purchases or otherwise lawfully acquires any Limited Partner Interest and becomes the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests in accordance with the provisions of Article IV or Article V hereof.  A Person may become a Record Holder of a Unit without the consent or approval of any of the Partners.  A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest.  The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.8.     Upon the conversion of Predecessor Units and Converted Units into Common Units on the Conversion Date as described in Article V, the holders thereof were automatically admitted to the Partnership as Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units issued to them.

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

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

Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner .  A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6,

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provided, however , that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission.  Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

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

Article XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner .

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

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

(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6;

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

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

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

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

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

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(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 11:59 pm, prevailing Eastern Standard Time, on September 30, 2024, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided , that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 11:59 pm, prevailing Eastern Standard Time, on September 30, 2024, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units.  The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members.  If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner.  The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member, and is hereby authorized to carry on the business of the Partnership and the other Group Members.  If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2.  Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

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

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

(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under

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

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

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

(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the

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Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date.  In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled.  In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.

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

Article XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

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

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

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

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

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

(e) any other dissolution event as required by the Delaware Act.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury

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Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

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

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

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

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

Article XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

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

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

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

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

(d) subject to Section 5.10(e), a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.6 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

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

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

(g) subject to Section 5.10(e), an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests or options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.4;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements .

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

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

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

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

(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, the approval of Limited Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) holding at least 75% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners shall be required to alter, amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal this Section 13.3, Section 13.4, Section 13.5, Section 13.9 and Section 13.11.

Section 13.4 Special Meetings .  All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII.  Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed.  Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called.  Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent.  A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1.  Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and

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affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting .  Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1.  The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

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

Section 13.7 Adjournment .  Any meeting may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No Limited Partner vote shall be required for any adjournment. A meeting may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters.  If a quorum is present with respect to any one or more proposals, the chairman of the meeting may, but shall not be required to, cause a vote to be taken with respect to any such proposal or proposals which vote can be certified as final and effective notwithstanding the adjournment of the meeting with respect to any other proposal or proposals. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days.  At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes .  The transaction of business at any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy.  Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the sufficiency of notice, in which case, if notice to such Limited Partner is not in compliance with this Agreement, then attendance by such Limited Partner shall not constitute waiver of notice.

Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting .  The holders of a majority, by Percentage Interest, of Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Partners requires approval by holders of a greater Percentage Interest, in which case the quorum shall be such greater Percentage Interest.  The Limited Partners holding Outstanding Common Units shall be entitled to one vote per Unit on all matters submitted to the Limited Partners for approval.  At any meeting of the Partners at which a quorum is present, the act of Partners holding Partnership Interests that,

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in the aggregate, represent a majority of the Percentage Interest of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Partners holding Partnership Interests that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required; provided, however, that if, as a matter of law or amendment to this Agreement, approval by plurality vote of Partners (or any class thereof) is required to approve any action, no minimum quorum shall be required.  The Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by Partners holding the required Percentage Interest specified in this Agreement.

Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting .  The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting.  The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting.  All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner.  The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.  A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Limited Partner shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.  Subject to the provisions of the Delaware Act or this Agreement, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, shall govern all matters concerning the giving, voting or validity of proxies, as if the Partnership were a Delaware corporation and the Limited Partners were stockholders of a Delaware corporation.

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

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Limited Partners in connection with a matter approved by the holders of the requisite percentage of Units acting by written consent without a meeting.

Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters .

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

(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry.  The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

Section 13.13 Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights .

(a) For so long as a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Rights on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law and the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, in their capacity as such, shall be deemed to have approved any matter approved by the General Partner.

(b) Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, if less than a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Units, other than amendments and other matters that the General Partner determines do not adversely affect the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights as a whole in any material respect.  On any matter in which the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights are entitled to vote, such holders will vote together with the Common Units as a single class, except as otherwise required by Section 13.3(c), and such Incentive Distribution Rights shall be treated in all respects as Common Units when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement.  The relative voting power of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the Common Units will be set in the same proportion as cumulative cash distributions, if any, in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights for the four consecutive Quarters prior to the record date for the vote bears to the cumulative cash distributions in respect of such class of Units for such four Quarters.

(c) In connection with any equity financing, or anticipated equity financing, by the Partnership of an Expansion Capital Expenditure, the General Partner may, without the approval of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, temporarily or permanently reduce the amount of Incentive Distributions that would otherwise be distributed to such holders, provided that in the judgment of the General Partner, such reduction will be in the long-term best interest of such holders.

Article XIV
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

Section 14.1 Authority .  The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or

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unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“ Merger Agreement ”) or plan of conversion in accordance with this Article XIV.

Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 14.5 Effect of Merger or Consolidation .

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

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

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

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

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

Article XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its controlled Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any controlled Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its controlled Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its controlled Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.

(b) If the General Partner or any controlled Affiliate of the General Partner elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “ Notice of Election to Purchase ”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date.  Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York.  The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner or its controlled Affiliate, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner

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Interests are listed or admitted to trading.  Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice.  On or prior to the Purchase Date the General Partner or its controlled Affiliate, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1.  If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner or its controlled Affiliate, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the General Partner or its controlled Affiliate, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests.

(c) In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

Article XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications .

(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below or any method approved by the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed.  Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery.  An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report.  If any notice, payment or report given or made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 is returned marked to indicate that such notice, payment or report was unable to be delivered, such notice, payment or report and, in the case of notices, payments or reports returned by the United States Postal Service (or other physical mail delivery mail service outside the United States of America), any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) or other delivery if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice,

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payment or report to the other Partners.  Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3.  The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

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

Section 16.2 Further Action .  The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 16.3 Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 16.4 Integration .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 16.5 Creditors .  None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 16.6 Waiver .  No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 16.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.

Section 16.8 Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.  Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) without execution hereof.

Section 16.9 Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction .

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

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

(i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the

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Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;

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

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

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

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

(vi) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH CLAIM, SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING; and

(vii) agrees that if such Partner or Person does not obtain a judgment on the merits that substantially achieves, in substance and amount, the full remedy sought in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding, then such Partner or Person shall be obligated to reimburse the Partnership and its Affiliates for all fees, costs and expenses of every kind and description, including but not limited to all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation expenses, that the parties may incur in connection with such claim, suit, action or proceeding.

Section 16.10 Invalidity of Provisions .  If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and part thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 16.11 Consent of Partners .  Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 16.12 Facsimile and Email Signatures .  The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (.pdf) affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates representing Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

 

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SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS GP LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

 

Name:

Charles C. Ward

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to, the General Partner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS GP LLC ,

 

 

as general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

 

Name:

Charles C. Ward

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLDER OF INCENTIVE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS AND SOLE MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SP HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

SP Capital Holdings, LLC, its manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

 

Name:

Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

Signature Page to the

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership

of

Sanchez Production Partners LP

 

 

EXHIBIT A
to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Sanchez Production Partners LP

Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Sanchez Production Partners LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.

 

 

 

 

Common Units

99

 


 

 

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sanchez Production Partners LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “ Partnership Agreement ”), Sanchez Production Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), hereby certifies that __________________________ (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of _______________ Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed.  The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement.  Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership, at the principal office of the Partnership located at 1000 Main Street, Suite 3000, Houston, Texas 77002.  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

Sanchez Production Partners LP

 

 

 

 

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC,
its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

100

 


 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

 

 

 

As Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101

 


 

[Reverse of Certificate]

ABBREVIATIONS

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

- as tenants by the entireties

- as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEN COM  -  as tenants in common

TEN ENT    -  as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN        -  as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT

____________Custodian___________

(Cust)                                  (Minor)

Under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act

(State)

 

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

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF
SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee)

 

(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

 

______ Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Sanchez Production Partners LP.

 

 

 

 

 

Date:___________________________

 

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular. without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C.  RULE 17Ad-15

 

 

 


(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 


(Signature)

 

 

102

 


 

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP OPTIONAL CONVERSION

To the Holders of Class A Preferred Units:

 

Please take notice that Sanchez Production Partners LP (the “ Partnership ”) has irrevocably elected to convert all of the outstanding Class A Preferred Units (the “ Class A Preferred Units ”) into Common Units of the Partnership.  The conversion will be effective at 5:00 p.m., New York time on [_________].  The conversion rate will be calculated as set forth in Section 5.9(b)(i) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership.

 

1

 


 

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF NOTICE OF CLASS B PREFERRED UNIT REDEMPTION

The undersigned hereby gives notice that the number of Class B Preferred Units (“Class B Preferred Units”) of Sanchez Production Partners LP indicated below will be redeemed for cash according to the conditions hereof, as of the date set forth below.

 

Redemption calculations:

 

 

Date to Effect Redemption:

 

 

 

Number of Class B Preferred Units to be Redeemed:

 

 

 

Amount of Cash to be paid to Holder:

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

2

 


Execution Version

AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS GP LLC

This Amendment No. 2 to Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Amendment ”) of Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), is made and entered into as of October 14, 2015, by SP Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), as the sole Member of the Company.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on March 2, 2015, Holdings entered into that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated May 8, 2015 (the “ Original LLC Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS , Holdings desires to amend the Original LLC Agreement as set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the premises, the covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Holdings, as the sole Member of the Company, hereby enters into this Amendment in its entirety as follows:

1. Amendments .

a. Section 1.1 of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following as new definitions therein in applicable alphabetical order:

Additional Indebtedness ” means any indebtedness for borrowed money or any indebtedness evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes, letters of credit or other similar instruments, including any security or other interest convertible or exchangeable for any such instrument or redeemable for any consideration other than Junior Securities, except, in each case, the Existing Credit Facility or a Refinanced Credit Facility.  

Board Representation Agreement ” means that certain Board Representation and Standstill Agreement dated as of October 14, 2015, by and among the Partnership, the Company and the purchasers party thereto.

Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Company withdraws or is removed as the general partner of the Partnership, (ii) the Company transfers any portion of its general partner interest in the Partnership to any Person other than an Affiliate of the Company, (iii) any merger, consolidation or other transaction involving the

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Partnership or the Company and another Person (other than an Affiliate thereof), whether in one or a series of related transactions, which results in one or more Persons directly or indirectly acquiring control over more than 50% of the equity interests of the Partnership or the Company, as applicable, (iv) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, (v) any dissolution or liquidation of the Partnership or the Company (other than in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding or a statutory winding up); (vi) any other transaction pursuant to which the Company or any Affiliate controlled by the Company exercises its rights to purchase all of the Common Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) pursuant to Section 15.1 of the Partnership Agreement or (vii) the Partnership’s common units are no longer publicly traded on any National Securities Exchange .

Common Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Existing Credit Facility ” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015 among the Partnership, as borrower, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended by that certain Amendment and Waiver of Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015 and that certain Joinder, Assignment and Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2015, as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, provided that the credit facility provided under the Existing Credit Facility shall be, at all times, a revolving credit facility provided by commercial banks and/or affiliates of commercial banks .  

First Designation Right Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in the Board Representation Agreement.

Junior Securities ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Purchaser Designated Director ” is defined in Section 6.2(a)(i) .

Refinanced Credit Facility ” means any original, amended or amended and restated revolving bank facility of the Partnership that replaces or refinances the Existing Credit Facility, provided that the credit facility provided under any Refinanced Credit Facility shall be, at all times, a revolving credit facility provided by commercial banks and/or affiliates of commercial banks .  

Second Amendment Effective Date ” means October 14, 2015.

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2


 

Second Designation Right Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in the Board Representation Agreement.  

Special Approval ” means approval by the Board of the following actions before they are undertaken by the Partnership or the Company:

(a) the incurrence by the Partnership of any loan, letter of credit or similar obligation under the Existing Credit Facility or a Refinanced Credit Facility unless, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the ratio of (I) Total Net Debt (as defined in the Existing Credit Facility as in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date) of the Partnership and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined in the Existing Credit Facility as in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date) to (II) Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Existing Credit Facility as in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Partnership most recently ended for which financial statements are available, does not exceed (A) prior to the date that the Partnership has issued the Common Units required pursuant to Section 5.10(f) of the Partnership Agreement, 2.25 to 1.00, and (B) on and after the date that such Common Units have been issued, 3.00 to 1.00;

(b) the Partnership entering into or permitting any modification or amendment of, consenting to any deviation from the terms and conditions of or obtaining any consent of the administrative agent or the lenders under the Existing Credit Facility or Refinanced Credit Facility that would (I) have the effect of amending or modifying any covenant limiting dividends or distributions by the Partnership to the holders of the Class B Preferred Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) in any manner that is more restrictive than as set forth in the Existing Credit Facility, (II) result in the interest rate margin under the Existing Credit Facility or any Refinanced Credit Facility (x) with respect to any interest rate based on the LIBO rate, to be greater than 5.00% per annum or (y) with respect to any other interest rate, to be greater than 4.00% per annum or (III) impose an interest rate floor greater than 0% per annum;

(c) the Partnership creating (by reclassification or otherwise) or otherwise incurring any Additional Indebtedness;

(d) a Change in Control of the Company or the Partnership; or

(e) any amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, modification or other change to this Agreement in a

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3


 

manner that would adversely affect the rights or privileges hereunder of any Purchaser Designated Director, including, without limitation, the right to consent to items requiring Special Approval as set forth in this Amendment.

Stonepeak ” means Stonepeak Catarina Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

b. Section 1.1 of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby further amended to insert the following as a new sentence at the end of the definition of “Affiliate” contained therein:

For avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Partnership, on the one hand, and the Class B Preferred Unit Holders (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), on the other hand, shall be considered Affiliates solely by virtue of such Class B Preferred Unit Holders holding Class B Preferred Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) or the right to appoint a Purchaser Designated Director or as Affiliates of such Purchaser Designated Director.

c. Section 6.1(a) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended to add the following new sentence at the end thereof. “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.1 , neither the Company, nor the Officers acting on behalf of the Company, shall, or shall cause or permit the Partnership to, take any action that would require the Special Approval of a Purchaser Designated Director hereunder without first obtaining Special Approval pursuant to Section 6.2(c)(iii) or Section 6.2(a)(iv) .”

d. Section 6.2(a)(i) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

(i) The Members shall appoint all of the Directors of the Board; provided, however , that (A) prior to the First Designation Right Termination Event, two Directors (each, a “ Purchaser Designated Director ”) shall be appointed, elected or approved pursuant to the Board Representation Agreement; (B) from and after the First Designation Right Termination Event until the Second Designation Right Termination Event, one Purchaser Designated Director shall be appointed, elected or approved pursuant to the Board Representation Agreement, with each such Purchaser Designated Director serving until his or her death, resignation or removal from office or until his or her successors are elected and qualified, as provided in the Board Representation Agreement; and (C) during the Redemption Designation Period, three Independent Directors shall be appointed, elected or approved pursuant to the Board Representation Agreement, with each such Independent Director serving until his or her death, resignation or removal from office or until his or her successor is elected and qualified, as provided in the Board Representation Agreement; provided further , that upon the occurrence of (A) the First Designation Right Termination Event,

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4


 

one of the Purchaser Designated Directors shall be appointed, elected or approved, and may be removed by, and will resign upon the request of, the Members or the determination of a majority of the other Directors; (B) the Second Designation Right Termination Event, both of the Purchaser Designated Directors shall be appointed, elected or approved, and may be removed by, and will resign upon the request of, the Members or the determination of a majority of the other Directors and (C) at the end of the Redemption Designation Period, the three Independent Directors previously appointed, elected or approved pursuant to the Board Representation Agreement shall be appointed, elected or approved, and may be removed by, and will resign upon the request of, the Members or the determination of a majority of the other Directors.   

e. Section 6.2(a)(iv) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: 

(iv) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if such action is evidenced in writing and signed (including by an email response or other electronic transmission) by a majority of the Directors, (A) one of whom must be the Chairman of the Board and (B) with respect to those matters requiring Special Approval, prior to the Second Designation Right Termination Event, one of whom must include a Purchaser Designated Director.

f. The fourth sentence of Section 6.2(b) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following proviso at the end thereof immediately before the period:  “; provided, however , that (i) except as provided in Section 6.2(a)(i) with respect to one Purchaser Designated Director after the First Designation Right Termination Event, any vacancy by a Purchaser Designated Director prior to the Second Designation Right Termination Event shall be filled only as provided in the Board Representation Agreement and (ii) any vacancy by an Independent Director appointed during the Redemption Designation Period shall be filled only as provided in the Board Representation Agreement”.

g. The last sentence of Section 6.2(b) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following proviso at the end thereof immediately before the period:  “; provided, however , that (i) except as provided in Section 6.2(a)(i) with respect to one Purchaser Designated Director after the First Designation Right Termination Event, a Purchaser Designated Director shall be removed prior to the Second Designation Right Termination Event only as provided in the Board Representation Agreement and (ii) an Independent Director appointed during the Redemption Designation Period shall be removed prior to the end of the Redemption Designation Period only as provided in the Board Representation Agreement”.

h. Section 6.2(c)(iii) of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following proviso at the end thereof immediately before the period:  “;  provided, however , that prior to the Second Designation Right Termination Event, the

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5


 

consent of at least one Purchaser Designated Director shall be required for those matters requiring Special Approval”.

i. Section 6.9 of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended to add the following as a new clause (e) thereof:

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.9 to the contrary, a majority of the non-Purchaser Designated Directors, acting in good faith, shall have the right to exclude any Purchaser Designated Director who is not an employee, partner, member or officer of Stonepeak or any of its Affiliates from deliberations of the Board to the extent such deliberations primarily concern proprietary and confidential information regarding the Partnership’s business and operations if such Purchaser Designated Director is a director, officer, employee, agent or equityholder of greater than 5% of any Person that competes with the Partnership with respect to such business and operations.  If any Purchaser Designated Director is excluded from deliberations pursuant to this clause (e), Stonepeak may designate another Person who is an employee, partner, member or officer of Stonepeak or any of its Affiliates or any other Person reasonably acceptable to a majority of the remaining directors of the Board to attend such deliberations in an observer capacity. Such designated observer shall not be entitled to vote on, or consent to, any matters presented to the Board.  For the avoidance of doubt, at any time at which a Purchaser Designated Director is excluded pursuant to this clause (e), the Board shall not take any action, consent to or vote on any matter before the Board until such Purchaser Designated Director is once again included.

j. Section 10.2 of the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended to add the following as a new clause (e) thereof:

(e) Prior to the Second Designation Right Termination Event, any Transfer resulting in a Change in Control of the Company or the Partnership shall have received the consent of at least one Purchaser Designated Director.  For purposes of this Section 10.2(e) , the term “ Transfer ” shall include a merger involving the Company, notwithstanding the definition of “Transfer”.

2. Directors .  As of the date of this Amendment, the Directors of the Company are the following:  Antonio R. Sanchez, III, Gerald F. Willinger, Richard S. Langdon, Alan S. Bigman, Patricio S. Sanchez, Eduardo D. Sanchez, G.M. Byrd Larberg, Jack Howell and Luke Taylor and Exhibit B shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.

3. Agreement in Effect .  Except as hereby amended, the Original LLC Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

4. Applicable Law .  This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

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5. Severability .  Each provision of this Amendment shall be considered severable and if for any reason any provision or provisions herein are determined to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal under any existing or future law, such invalidity, unenforceability or illegality shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Amendment that are valid, enforceable and legal.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Member has executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

SP HOLDINGS, LLC

 

By:  SP Capital Holdings, LLC, its manager

 

 

By:     /s/ Antonio R. Sanchez, III

Name:  Antonio R. Sanchez, III

Title:    Manager

 

 

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 2 to GP LLC Agreement


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

AND

THE PURCHASERS NAMED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of October 14, 2015, by and among Sanchez Production Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and each of the Persons set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a “ Purchaser ” and collectively, the “ Purchasers ”).

WHEREAS, this Agreement is made in connection with the closing of the issuance and sale of the Class B Preferred Units pursuant to the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2015 (the date of such closing, the “ Closing Date ”), by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers (the “ Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Partnership has agreed to provide the registration and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Purchasers pursuant to the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement.

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

Article I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement. The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, the Partnership, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand, shall not be considered Affiliates.

Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Amended Partnership Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of the date hereof.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, any federal legal holiday or day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or State of Texas are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

Class A Holders ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(b) of this Agreement.

Class A Registrable Securities ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(b) of this Agreement.

Closing Date ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals of this Agreement.

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


 

Common Unit Price ” means the volume-weighted average closing price of the Common Units on the principal market on which the Common Units are then traded during the ten (10) Trading Days (as defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement) prior to the date of measurement.

Common Units ” has the meaning specified therefor in Article I of the Amended Partnership Agreement.

Effectiveness Period ” means the period from the date that the Shelf Registration Statement becomes or is declared effective until the date as of which all Registrable Securities are sold by the Purchasers.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Existing Class A Preferred Registration Rights Agreements ” means that certain (a) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 31, 2015 between the Partnership and the purchasers named therein and (b) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 15, 2015 between the Partnership and the purchasers named therein.

General Partner ” means Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local or foreign government, or other governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial or arbitral body.

Holder ” means the record holder of any Registrable Securities. For the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with Section 3.05 of this Agreement, for purposes of determining the availability of any rights and applicability of any obligations under this Agreement, including calculating the amount of Registrable Securities held by a Holder, a Holder’s Registrable Securities shall be aggregated together with all Registrable Securities held by other Holders who are Affiliates of such Holder.

Holder Underwriter Registration Statement ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.05(p) of this Agreement.

In-Kind LD Amount ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

Included Registrable Securities ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement.

Launch ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.04 of this Agreement.

Law ” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, order, code, governmental restriction, decree, injunction or other requirement of law, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, of any Governmental Authority.

LD Period ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

LD Termination Date ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

Liquidated Damages ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

Liquidated Damages Multiplier ” means the product of the Common Unit Price times the number of Common Units held by such Holder that may not be sold without restriction and without the need for current public information pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) under the Securities Act.

Losses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(a) of this Agreement.

Managing Underwriter ” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the book-running lead manager of such Underwritten Offering.


 

NYSE MKT ” means the NYSE MKT LLC.

Opt-Out Notice ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement.

Partnership ” has the meaning specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

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

PIK Units ” means the “Class B Preferred PIK Units” (as defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement).

Post-Launch Withdrawing Selling Holders ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.04 of this Agreement.

Preferred Units ” means Class B Preferred Units (including PIK Units) representing limited partner interests of the Partnership, as described in the Amended Partnership Agreement and issued pursuant to the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement or the Amended Partnership Agreement, as the case may be.

Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals of this Agreement.

Purchaser ” and “ Purchasers ” have the meanings specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Registrable Securities ” means (i) the Common Units issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Units (including PIK Units) acquired by the Purchasers pursuant to the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement or, in the case of PIK Units, pursuant to the Amended Partnership Agreement, (ii) any Common Units issued as Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement, and includes any type of interest issued to the Holder as a result of Section 3.04 of this Agreement and (iii) until such time as the applicable Purchaser owns less than an aggregate of 20% of the Common Units, any other Common Unit issued to or acquired by the Purchasers after the date hereof.

Registrable Securities Amount ” means the calculation based on the product of the Common Unit Price times the number of Registrable Securities.

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.08(c) of this Agreement.

Registration Threshold ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Selling Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.08(c) of this Agreement.

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement.

Selling Holder Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(a) of this Agreement.

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

Stonepeak Holder ” means Stonepeak Catarina Holdings LLC.

Target Effective Date ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

Threshold Amount ” means $20,000,000 (calculated based on the Registrable Securities Amount).


 

Underwritten Offering ” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement) in which Common Units are sold to one or more underwriters on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks.

Underwritten Offering Notice ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.04 of this Agreement.

Walled-Off Person ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.07 of this Agreement.

Section 1.02 Registrable Securities . Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security (a) when a registration statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) when such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of (excluding transfers or assignments by a Holder to an Affiliate or to another Holder or any of its Affiliates or to any assignee or transferee to whom the rights under this Agreement have been transferred pursuant to Section 2.11 ) pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) under the Securities Act under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of such Rule (then in effect) are met; (c) when such Registrable Security is held by the Partnership or one of its subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, however , that none of the Purchasers or their Affiliates shall be considered an Affiliate of the Partnership; or (d) when such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof.

Article II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.01 Registration .  

(a) Demand Rights .  A Holder has the option and right, exercisable by providing written notice to the Partnership, to require the Partnership to prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all Registrable Securities from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) under the Securities Act, on the terms and conditions specified in this Section 2.01 (a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”); provided, however , that the right of a Holder (other than the Stonepeak Holder and its Affiliates) to request such filing shall expire at any time that such Holder and its Affiliates beneficially own less than $5,000,000 of Registrable Securities (calculated based on the Current Market Price (as defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement)) (the “ Registration Threshold ”).  A Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be on such registration form of the Commission as is permissible under the Securities Act; provided, however , that the Partnership shall not be required to file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 unless a Holder either delivers to the Partnership an Underwritten Offering Notice or an irrevocable election to convert Class B Preferred Units into Common Units in an amount not less than the Registration Threshold.  The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) to become or be declared effective as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than 210 calendar days after the notice is provided pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.01(a) (the “ Target Effective Date ”).  The Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders covered by such Shelf Registration Statement, including by way of an Underwritten Offering.  As soon as practicable following the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, but in any event within two (2) Business Days of such date, the Partnership will notify the Holders of the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement.  During the Effectiveness Period, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another registration statement is available for the resale of the Registrable Securities until all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.  

When effective, a Shelf Registration Statement (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated


 

therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made).  The Partnership shall not include in a Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this  Section 2.01(a)  any securities which are not Registrable Securities, other than Common Units that are to be offered and sold for the Partnership’s own account pursuant to an Underwritten Offering, without the prior written consent of the Stonepeak Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(b) Failure to Go Effective . If a Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2.01(a) is not declared effective by the Target Effective Date, then each Holder shall be entitled to a payment (with respect to the Registrable Securities of each such Holder subject to such Shelf Registration Statement), as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, of 0.25% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for the first 60 days following such Target Effective Date, increasing by an additional 0.25% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for each subsequent 60 days (i.e., 0.5% for 61-120 days, 0.75% for 121-180 days and 1.0% thereafter), up to a maximum of 1.00% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period (the “ Liquidated Damages ”). The Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each such 30-day period.  Any Liquidated Damages shall be paid to each Holder in immediately available funds; provided, however , that if the Partnership certifies that it is unable to pay Liquidated Damages in cash because such payment would result in a breach under a credit facility or other debt instrument filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s periodic reports filed with the Commission, then the Partnership shall pay such Liquidated Damages using as much cash as permitted without breaching any such credit facility or other debt instrument and shall pay the balance of such Liquidated Damages (the “ In-Kind LD Amount ”) in kind in the form of the issuance of additional Common Units.  Upon any issuance of Common Units as Liquidated Damages, the Partnership shall promptly (i) prepare and file an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement prior to its effectiveness adding such Common Units to such Shelf Registration Statement as additional Registrable Securities and (ii) prepare and file a supplemental listing application with the NYSE MKT (or such other market on which the Registrable Securities are then listed and traded) to list such additional Common Units. The determination of the number of Common Units to be issued as Liquidated Damages shall be equal to the In-Kind LD Amount divided by the volume weighted average closing price of the Common Units (as reported on the NYSE MKT or the principal securities market on which the Common Units are then traded) for the consecutive ten (10) trading day period ending on the close of trading on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Liquidated Damages payment is due, less a discount to such average closing price of 2.00%. The accrual of Liquidated Damages to a Holder shall cease (a “ LD Termination Date ,” and, each such period beginning on a Target Effective Date and ending on a LD Termination Date being, a “LD Period”) at the earlier of (i) such Shelf Registration Statement becoming effective and (ii) when such Holder no longer holds Registrable Securities.  Any amount of Liquidated Damages shall be prorated for any period of less than 30 calendar days accruing during a LD Period.  If the Partnership is unable to cause a Shelf Registration Statement to go effective by the Target Effective Date as a result of an acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction, then the Partnership may request a waiver of the Liquidated Damages, and each Holder may individually grant or withhold its consent to such request in its discretion.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2.01(b) shall relieve the Partnership from its obligations under Section 2.01(a) .  

Section 2.02 Piggyback Rights .  

(a) Participation . If the Partnership proposes to file during the Effectiveness Period (i) a shelf registration statement other than a Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.01(a) , (ii) a prospectus supplement to an effective shelf registration statement, other than a Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.01(a) and Holders may be included in such Underwritten Offering without the filing of a post-effective amendment thereto, or (iii) a registration statement, other than a shelf registration statement, in each case, for the sale of Common Units in an Underwritten Offering for its own account or that of another Person, or both, then as soon as practicable following the selection of the Managing Underwriter for such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall give notice (including, but not limited to, notification by electronic mail) of such Underwritten Offering to each Holder (together with its Affiliates) holding at least the Threshold Amount of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to include in such Underwritten Offering such number of Registrable


 

Securities (the “ Included Registrable Securities ”) as each such Holder may request in writing; provided, however , that (A) the Partnership shall not be required to provide such opportunity to any such Holder that does not offer a minimum of the Threshold Amount of Registrable Securities, and (B) if the Partnership has been advised by the Managing Underwriter that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Common Units in the Underwritten Offering, then (i) if no Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the Managing Underwriter, the Partnership shall not be required to offer such opportunity to the Holders or (ii) if any Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the Managing Underwriter, then the amount of Registrable Securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be determined based on the provisions of Section 2.02(b) . Any notice required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) to Holders shall be provided on a Business Day and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by the Holder. Each such Holder shall then have two (2) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day in connection with any overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after notice has been delivered to request in writing the inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering. If no written request for inclusion from a Holder is received within the specified time, each such Holder shall have no further right to participate in such Underwritten Offering. If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to undertake an Underwritten Offering and prior to the closing of such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall determine for any reason not to undertake or to delay such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Selling Holders and, (x) in the case of a determination not to undertake such Underwritten Offering, shall be relieved of its obligation to sell any Included Registrable Securities in connection with such terminated Underwritten Offering, and (y) in the case of a determination to delay such Underwritten Offering, shall be permitted to delay offering any Included Registrable Securities as part of such Underwritten Offering for the same period as the delay in the Underwritten Offering. Any Selling Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Selling Holder’s request for inclusion of such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering by giving written notice to the Partnership of such withdrawal at or prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering. Any Holder may deliver written notice (an “ Opt-Out Notice ”) to the Partnership requesting that such Holder not receive notice from the Partnership of any proposed Underwritten Offering; provided, however , that such Holder may later revoke any such Opt-Out Notice in writing.  Following receipt of an Opt-Out Notice from a Holder (unless subsequently revoked), the Partnership shall not be required to deliver any notice to such Holder pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) and such Holder shall no longer be entitled to participate in Underwritten Offerings by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 2.02(a)

(b) Priority . Other than situations outlined in Section 2.01 of this Agreement, if the Managing Underwriter of any proposed Underwritten Offering involving Included Registrable Securities advises the Partnership, or the Partnership reasonably determines, that the total amount of Common Units that the Selling Holders and any other Persons intend to include in such offering exceeds the number that can be sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Common Units offered or the market for the Common Units, then the Common Units to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall include the number of Registrable Securities that such Managing Underwriter advises the Partnership can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated (i) first, to the Partnership or other party requesting such registration, (ii) second, pro rata among the Selling Holders who have requested participation in such Underwritten Offering and any “Holders” (as defined in the Existing Class A Preferred Registration Rights Agreements) under the Existing Class A Preferred Registration Rights Agreements (“ Class A Holders ”) requesting such registration, based on the percentage derived by dividing (x) the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by such Selling Holder and the number of “Registrable Securities” (as defined in the Existing Class A Preferred Registration Rights Agreements) (“ Class A Registrable Securities ”) proposed to be sold by the Class A Holders by (y) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by all Selling Holders and Class A Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by all Class A Holders and (iii) third, to any other holder of securities of the Partnership having rights of registration that are neither expressly senior nor subordinated to the Holders in respect of the Registrable Securities, allocated among such holders in such manner as they may agree.  


 

(c) Termination of Piggyback Registration Rights . Each Holder’s rights under Section 2.02 shall terminate upon such Holder (together with its Affiliates) ceasing to hold at least the Threshold Amount of Registrable Securities.

Section 2.03 Delay Rights .  

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Partnership may, upon written notice to any Selling Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in a Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, suspend such Selling Holder’s use of any prospectus which is a part of such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (in which event the Selling Holder shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement but may settle any previously made sales of Registrable Securities) if (i) the Partnership is pursuing an acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and the Partnership determines in good faith that the Partnership’s ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or (ii) the Partnership has experienced some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Partnership, would materially adversely affect the Partnership; provided, however , that in no event shall the Selling Holders be suspended from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement for a period that exceeds an aggregate of 60 calendar days in any 180-calendar day period or 105 calendar days in any 365-calendar day period, in each case, exclusive of days covered by any lock-up agreement executed by a Selling Holder in connection with any Underwritten Offering. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Partnership shall provide prompt notice to the Selling Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such Shelf Registration Statement and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other reasonable actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement.

If (i) the Selling Holders shall be prohibited from selling their Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement as a result of a suspension pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph in excess of the periods permitted therein or (ii) a Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but, during the Effectiveness Period, shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within 20 Business Days by a post-effective amendment thereto, a supplement to the prospectus or a report filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or l5(d) of the Exchange Act, then, until the suspension is lifted or a post-effective amendment, supplement or report is filed with the Commission, but not including any day on which a suspension is lifted or such amendment, supplement or report is filed and declared effective, if applicable, the Partnership shall pay the Selling Holders an amount equal to the Liquidated Damages, following the earlier of (x) the date on which the suspension period exceeded the permitted period and (y) the twenty-first (21st) Business Day after such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement ceased to be effective or failed to be useable for its intended purposes, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty (for purposes of calculating Liquidated Damages, the date in (x) or (y) above shall be deemed the “90th day,” as used in the definition of Liquidated Damages).  For purposes of this paragraph, a suspension shall be deemed lifted with respect to a Selling Holder on the date that notice that the suspension has been terminated is delivered to such Selling Holder.  Liquidated Damages shall cease to accrue pursuant to this paragraph upon the earlier of (i) a suspension being deemed lifted and (ii) when such Selling Holder no longer holds Registrable Securities included in such Shelf Registration Statement.

Section 2.04 Underwritten Offerings .

In the event that one or more Holders elects to include, other than pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Agreement, at least the Threshold Amount of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall, upon request by such Holders (such request, an “ Underwritten Offering Notice ”), retain underwriters in order to permit such Holders to effect such sale through an Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that the Holders shall have the option and right, to require the Partnership to effect not more than three (3) Underwritten Offerings, pursuant to and subject to the conditions of this Section 2.04  


 

of this Agreement.  Upon delivery of such Underwritten Offering Notice to the Partnership, the Partnership shall as soon as practicable (but in no event later than one (1) calendar day following the date of delivery of the Underwritten Offering Notice to the Partnership) deliver notice of such Underwritten Offering Notice to all other Holders who shall then have two (2) calendar days from the date that such notice is given to them to notify the Partnership in writing of the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder that they want to be included in such Underwritten Offering.  For the avoidance of doubt, any Holders notified about an Underwritten Offering by the Partnership after the Partnership has received the corresponding Underwritten Offering Notice may participate in such Underwritten Offering, but shall not count toward the Threshold Amount of Registrable Securities necessary to request an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Offering Notice. In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Agreement, the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being disposed of pursuant to the Underwritten Offering shall be entitled to select the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters for such Underwritten Offering, subject to the reasonable consent of the Partnership. In connection with an Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Agreement in which a Selling Holder participates, each Selling Holder and the Partnership shall be obligated to enter into an underwriting agreement that contains such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwriting agreements for firm commitment offerings of securities. No Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each Selling Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Partnership to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations. No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Partnership or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder, its authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities whose offer and resale will be registered, on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by Law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to the Partnership and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however, that any such withdrawal must be made no later than the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering. If all Selling Holders withdraw from an Underwritten Offering prior to the pricing of such Underwritten Offering, the events will not be considered an Underwritten Offering and will not decrease the number of available Underwritten Offerings the Selling Holders have the right and option to request under this Section 2.04 .  No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect the Partnership’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses; provided, however , that if (i) certain Selling Holders withdraw from an Underwritten Offering after the public announcement at launch (the “ Launch ”) of such Underwritten Offering (such Selling Holders, the “ Post-Launch Withdrawing Selling Holders ”), and (ii) all Selling Holders withdraw from such Underwritten Offering prior to pricing, then the Post-Launch Withdrawing Selling Holders shall pay for all reasonable Registration Expenses incurred by the Partnership during the period from the Launch of such Underwritten Offering until the time all Selling Holders withdraw from such Underwritten Offering.

Section 2.05 Sale Procedures .  

In connection with its obligations under this Article II , the Partnership will, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to a Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Shelf Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement;

(b) if a prospectus supplement will be used in connection with the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from a Shelf Registration Statement and the Managing Underwriter at any time shall notify the Partnership in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing Underwriter, inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus supplement is of material importance to the success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable


 

Securities, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include such information in such prospectus supplement;  

(c) furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of such Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Selling Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement;

(d) if applicable, use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however , that the Partnership will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(e) promptly notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered by any of them under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (ii) the receipt of any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

(f) immediately notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made); (ii) the issuance or express threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (iii) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, the Partnership agrees to as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other commercially reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto;

(g) upon request and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations, furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;


 

(h) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish upon request, (i) an opinion of counsel for the Partnership dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter, dated the pricing date of such Underwritten Offering and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in each case, signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Partnership’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference into the applicable registration statement, and each of the opinion and the “cold comfort” letter shall be in customary form and covering substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus and any prospectus supplement included therein) as have been customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Partnership and such other matters as such underwriters and Selling Holders may reasonably request;

(i) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement, covering a period of twelve months beginning within three months after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

(j) make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling Holders access to such information and Partnership and General Partner personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided , that the Partnership need not disclose any non-public information to any such representative unless and until such representative has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Partnership;

(k) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which the Common Units issued by the Partnership are then listed;

(l) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Partnership to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(m) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(n) enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, making appropriate officers of the General Partner available to participate in any “road show” presentations before analysts, and other customary marketing activities (including one-on-one meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities)), provided, however , that in the event the Partnership, using commercially reasonable efforts, is unable to make such appropriate officers of the General Partner available to participate in connection with any “road show” presentations and other customary marketing activities (whether in person or otherwise), the Partnership shall make such appropriate officers available to participate via conference call or other means of communication in connection with no more than one (1) “road show” presentation per Underwritten Offering);

(o) if requested by a Selling Holder, (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as such Selling Holder reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering and (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and


 

(p) If any Holder could reasonably be deemed to be an “underwriter,” as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereof (a “ Holder Underwriter Registration Statement ”), then the Partnership will reasonably cooperate with such Holder in allowing such Holder to conduct customary “underwriter’s due diligence” with respect to the Partnership and satisfy its obligations in respect thereof.  In addition, at any Holder’s request, the Partnership will furnish to such Holder, on the date of the effectiveness of the Holder Underwriter Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as such Holder may reasonably request (provided that such request shall not be more frequently than on an annual basis unless such Holder is offering Registrable Securities pursuant to a Holder Underwriter Registration Statement), (i) a “cold comfort” letter, dated such date, from the Partnership’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to such Holder, (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Partnership for purposes of the Holder Underwriter Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, including standard “10b-5” negative assurance for such offering, addressed to such Holder and (iii) a standard officer’s certificate from the chief executive officer or chief financial officer, or other officers serving such functions, of the general partner of the Partnership addressed to the Holder.  The Partnership will also permit legal counsel to such Holder to review and comment upon any such Holder Underwriter Registration Statement at least five Business Days prior to its filing with the Commission and all amendments and supplements to any such Holder Underwriter Registration Statement with a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the Commission and not file any Holder Underwriter Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which such Holder’s legal counsel reasonably objects.  Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (f) of this Section 2.05 , shall forthwith discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (f) of this Section 2.05 or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Partnership, such Selling Holder will, or will request the managing underwriter or   underwriters, if any, to deliver to the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.05 , the Partnership will not name a Holder as an underwriter as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in any Shelf Registration Statement or Holder Underwriter Registration Statement, as applicable, without such Holder’s consent. If the staff of the Commission requires the Partnership to name any Holder as an underwriter as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and such Holder does not consent thereto, then such Holder’s Registrable Securities shall not be included on such Shelf Registration Statement or the Holder Underwriter Registration Statement, as applicable, such Holder shall no longer be entitled to receive Liquidated Damages under this Agreement with respect to such Holder’s Registrable Securities, and the Partnership shall have no further obligations hereunder with respect to Registrable Securities held by such Holder, unless such Holder has not had an opportunity to conduct customary underwriter’s due diligence as set forth in subsection (p) of this Section 2.05 with respect to the Partnership at the time such Holder’s consent is sought.

Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (f)  of this Section 2.05 , shall forthwith discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (f)  of this Section 2.05 or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Partnership, such Selling Holder will, or will request the Managing Underwriter, if any, to deliver to the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.


 

Section 2.06 Cooperation by Holders .  

The Partnership shall have no obligation to include Registrable Securities of a Holder in a Shelf Registration Statement or in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.02(a) who has failed to timely furnish such information that the Partnership determines, after consultation with its counsel, is reasonably required in order for the registration statement or prospectus supplement, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.

Section 2.07 Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities .  

Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees to enter into a customary letter agreement with underwriters providing such Holder will not effect any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities during the 60 calendar day period beginning on the date of a prospectus or prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of any Underwritten Offering, provided that (i) the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction imposed by the underwriters on the Partnership or the officers, directors or any other Affiliate of the Partnership or the General Partner on whom a restriction is imposed and (ii) the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.07 shall not apply to any Registrable Securities that are included in such Underwritten Offering by such Holder. In addition, this Section 2.07 shall not apply to any Holder that is not entitled to participate in such Underwritten Offering, whether because such Holder delivered an Opt-Out Notice prior to receiving notice of the Underwritten Offering or because such Holder (together with its Affiliates) holds less than the Threshold Amount of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities or because the Registrable Securities held by such Holder may be disposed of without restriction pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) under the Securities Act.  Subject to such Holder’s compliance with its obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws and its internal policies:  (a) Holder, for purposes hereof, shall not be deemed to include any employees, subsidiaries or Affiliates that are effectively walled off by appropriate “Chinese Wall” information barriers approved by Holder’s legal or compliance department (and thus have not been privy to any information concerning this transaction) (a “ Walled-Off Person ”) and (b) the foregoing covenants in this paragraph shall not apply to any transaction by or on behalf of Holder that was effected by a Walled-Off Person in the ordinary course of trading without the advice or participation of Holder or receipt of confidential or other information regarding this transaction provided by Holder to such entity.

Section 2.08 Expenses .  

(a) Expenses (b) . The Partnership will pay all reasonable Registration Expenses as determined in good faith, including, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, whether or not any sale is made pursuant to such Underwritten Offering. Each Selling Holder shall pay its pro rata share of all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, each Selling Holder’s pro rata allocation of Selling Expenses shall be the percentage derived by dividing (i) the number of Registrable Securities sold by such Selling Holder in connection with such sale by (ii) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities sold by all Selling Holders in connection with such sale. In addition, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.08 and Section 2.09 hereof, the Partnership shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder.

(c) Certain Definitions . “ Registration Expenses ” means all expenses incident to the Partnership’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities on a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.01(a) or an Underwritten Offering covered under this Agreement, and the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing and NYSE MKT fees, all registration, filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, any transfer taxes, the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Partnership, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance.  “ Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling


 

commissions or similar fees or arrangements allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel to the Selling Holders.

Section 2.09 Indemnification.  

(a) By the Partnership . In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Partnership will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder, its directors, officers, managers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees or agents (collectively, the “ Selling Holder Indemnified Persons ”), against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “ Losses ”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder Indemnified Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact (in the case of any prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such statement is made) contained in (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes documents incorporated by reference in) such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, prospectus supplement or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or any free writing prospectus relating thereto or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending or resolving any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however , that the Partnership will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Selling Holder Indemnified Person in writing specifically for use in such Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement, or prospectus supplement, as applicable. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder Indemnified Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.  

(b) By Each Selling Holder . Each Selling Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, their respective directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, prospectus supplement or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or any free writing prospectus relating thereto; provided, however , that the liability of each Selling Holder shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of any Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification.

(c) Notice . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.09 . In any action brought against any indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.09 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided, however , that (i) if the indemnifying party has


 

failed to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and (A) counsel to the indemnified party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or (B) if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, then, in each case, the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no indemnifying party shall settle any action brought against any indemnified party with respect to which such indemnified party is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the indemnified party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete and unconditional release from all liability of, the indemnified party.

(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.09 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to any indemnified party or is insufficient to hold them harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of such indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however , that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification. The relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, defending or resolving any Loss that is the subject of this paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) Other Indemnification . The provisions of this Section 2.09 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

Section 2.10 Rule 144 Reporting.

With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Partnership agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:

(a) make and keep public information regarding the Partnership available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) under the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;

(b) file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Partnership under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and

(c) so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish, unless otherwise available electronically at no additional charge via the Commission’s EDGAR system, to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Partnership, and such other reports and documents as such Holder may


 

reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration.

Section 2.11 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights.  

The rights to cause the Partnership to register Registrable Securities under this Article II may be transferred or assigned by any Purchaser to one or more transferees or assignees of Registrable Securities, subject to the transfer restrictions provided in Section 4.7 of the Amended Partnership Agreement, provided, however , that (a) the Partnership is given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned and (b) each such transferee or assignee assumes in writing responsibility for its portion of the obligations of such Purchaser under this Agreement.

Section 2.12 Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights.

From and after the date hereof, the Partnership shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any current or future holder of any securities of the Partnership that would allow such current or future holder to require the Partnership to include securities in any registration statement filed by the Partnership on a basis that is superior or pari passu to the rights of the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder.

Article III
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.01 Communications .  

All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by facsimile, electronic mail, courier service or personal delivery:

(a) if to a Purchaser:

To the respective address listed in the Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement

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

Sidley Austin LLP

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 6000

Houston TX 77002

Attention: Tim Langenkamp
Facsimile: 713-495-7799

Email: tlangenkamp@sidley.com

 

(b) if to a transferee of a Purchaser, to such Holder at the address provided pursuant to Section 2.11 above; and

(c) if to the Partnership:

Sanchez Production Partners LP

1000 Main Street, Suite 3000

Houston, TX 7702

Attention: Charles C. Ward

Email: cward@sanchezpp.com

 

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

 


 

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Scott Olson

Facsimile: 713.238.7410

Email: solson@andrewskurth.com

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile or sent via Internet electronic mail; and when actually received, if sent by courier service.

Section 3.02 Successor and Assigns .  

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.

Section 3.03 Assignment of Rights .  

All or any portion of the rights and obligations of any Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by such Purchaser only in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.

Section 3.04 Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Units .  

The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all units of the Partnership or any successor or assign of the Partnership (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, unit splits, recapitalizations, pro rata distributions of units and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.

Section 3.05 Aggregation of Registrable Securities .  

All Registrable Securities held or acquired by Persons who are Affiliates of one another shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights and applicability of any obligations under this Agreement.

Section 3.06 Specific Performance .  

Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such Person may have.

Section 3.07 Counterparts .  

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, including facsimile or .pdf counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.


 

Section 3.08 Headings .  

The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

Section 3.09 Governing Law .  

THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING ITS APPLICATION, CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 3.10 Severability of Provisions .  

Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 3.11 Entire Agreement .  

This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by the Partnership set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 3.12 Amendment .  

This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by the Partnership and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (or the Stonepeak Holder, to the extent that no Registrable Securities have been issued); provided, however , that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.

Section 3.13 No Presumption .  

If any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.

Section 3.14 Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement .  

Each of the parties hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Person other than the Purchasers (and their permitted transferees and assignees) and the Partnership shall have any obligation hereunder. Notwithstanding that one or more of the Purchasers may be a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, no recourse under this Agreement or under any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be had against any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchasers or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchasers or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate thereof, as such, for any obligations of the Purchasers under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim


 

based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligation or its creation, except in each case for any transferee or assignee of a Purchaser hereunder.

Section 3.15 Independent Nature of Purchaser’s Obligations .  

The obligations of each Purchaser under this Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under this Agreement. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

Section 3.16 Interpretation .  

Article, Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. All references to instruments, documents, contracts and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” or words of similar import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Whenever any determination, consent or approval is to be made or given by an Purchaser under this Agreement, such action shall be in such Purchaser’s sole discretion unless otherwise specified. Unless expressly set forth or qualified otherwise (e.g., by “Business” or “trading”), all references herein to a “day” are deemed to be a reference to a calendar day.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

By:

   /s/ Charles C. Ward

 

 

Name:

Charles C. Ward

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

TONE

 

 

STONEPEAK CATARINA HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

STONEPEAK INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

 

 

(ORION AIV) LP, its managing member

 

 

 

 

By:

STONEPEAK ASSOCIATES LLC,

its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

STONEPEAK GP HOLDINGS LP,

its sole member

 

 

By:

STONEPEAK GP INVESTORS LLC,

its general partner

 

 

By:

STONEPEAK GP INVESTORS MANAGER LLC, its managing member

 

 

 

By:

   /s/ Michael Dorrell

 

 

Name:

Michael Dorrell

 

 

Title:

Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Schedule A

Purchasers

 

 

Stonepeak Catarina Holdings LLC

 

 


Execution Version

FIRM GATHERING AND PROCESSING AGREEMENT

 

This Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of October 14 , 2015 ( the “ Effective Date ”), by and between SN Catarina, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Producer ”) , and Catarina Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Gatherer ”).  Producer and Gatherer may be referred to in this Agreement individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Producer currently owns undivided working interests and/or Controls Products produced, or to be produced, from certain lands or oil and gas leases located in South Texas;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ PSA ”), dated as of September 25 , 2015 by and among Sanchez Energy Corporation, Producer and Sanchez Production Partners LP , a Delaware limited partnership (“ SPP ”), SPP acquired the membership interests of Gatherer, which owns certain equipment, pipelines, tanks and tangible personal property and associated leasehold and other interests and rights used for the gathering, transportation, plant separation and processing of hydrocarbons from certain wells located in Dimmit County and Webb County, Texas that are owned and/or operated by Producer and its Affiliates; and

WHEREAS, Producer desires that Gatherer provide certain gathering, transportation and processing services described in this Agreement, and Gatherer desires to provide Producer those gathering, transportation and processing services, all in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, Gatherer and Producer hereby agree and covenant as follows:

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

ACH ” means Automated Clearing House or any successor thereto.

Affiliate ” means, when used with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall Gatherer, SPP or any of their subsidiaries be deemed to be an Affiliate of Producer, Sanchez Energy Corporation or any of their subsidiaries.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

AGA ” means American Gas Association.

206,967,839

HN\1358921.3

 

ANSI ” means American National Standards Institute.

API ” means American Petroleum Institute.

Applicable Law ” means, with respect to any Person, all laws, statutes, codes, acts, treaties, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, decrees, injunctions, rules, regulations, governmental approvals, licenses and permits, directives and requirements of all Governmental Authorities, including all official interpretations thereof by any such Governmental Authorities, as in effect at any time or from time to time and, in each case, applicable to or binding upon such Person.

Assets Under Construction ” has the meaning set forth in the PSA.

Assumed Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in Article 13 .  

Barrel ” and “ Bbl ” mean 42 U.S. liquid Gallons.

BLS ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 .

Btu ” means a British thermal unit, which is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of pure water from fifty-nine degrees (59°) Fahrenheit to sixty degrees (60°) Fahrenheit.

Business Day ” means any Day on which the Federal Reserve member banks in Houston, Texas are open for business.

Cash Transfer ” means any Transfer of all or any portion of the assets constituting the Gathering System where the sole consideration (other than the assumption of obligations relating to such transferred Gathering System assets) takes the form of cash or cash equivalents in the Gathering System assets being transferred.

Cash Value ” means the market value (expressed in U.S. dollars) of the Gathering System assets subject to the proposed Transfer, based upon the amount that a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction.

Central Prevailing Time ” means Central Standard Time or Central Daylight Time in effect in Houston, Texas, as the case may be.

CGP ” means a central gathering point directly connected to the Gathering System, as such points are specified on Exhibit A hereto and any other points added from time to time and mutually agreed by the Parties.  Exhibit A shall be deemed to be amended from time to time to add additional CGPs in accordance with the terms of Section 3.8 .

Change in Law ” means (i) the adoption, promulgation, repeal or modification after the Effective Date of any Applicable Law, (ii) the imposition after the Effective Date of any term or condition in connection with the issuance, renewal, extension, replacement or modification of any approval of any Governmental Authority that establishes new, additional or modified requirements for the operation of the Gathering System, (iii) the non-approval or non-renewal of any approval of any Governmental Authority, or the renewal of the same on terms more onerous for Gatherer

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than originally issued, other than as a result of Gatherer’s action or inaction in violation of Applicable Law, or (iv) any other restrictions or restraints imposed by Applicable Law after the Effective Date that were not in effect on or prior to the Effective Date; provided that, “Change in Law” shall not apply to taxes or tax laws of any kind (whether imposed by the United States, the State of Texas or any other Governmental Authority or imposed on or measured by income, gross receipts, assessed value, the provision of gathering or other services hereunder or otherwise).

Commitment Term ” means the later of the Gas Commitment Term and the Oil Commitment Term.

Compression Fuel ” means the quantity of Gas (expressed in Mcf) utilized in Gatherer’s operation of the Gathering System, including field compression facilities for fuel and other uses, including fuel equivalents and use requirements.

 “ Contract Quarter ” means any three-Month consecutive period starting on January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 that begins on or after the Effective Date during the term of this Agreement; provided that, for purposes of the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas and Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil, (i) the first Contract Quarter shall begin on the Effective Date and end December 31, 2015 and (ii) the Contract Quarter in which the date the Gas Commitment Term or Oil Commitment Term, as applicable, ends shall end on such date.

Contract Year ” means that twelve-Month period commencing on the Effective Date and each subsequent twelve-Month period during the Term commencing on each anniversary of the Effective Date.

Control ” (including its derivatives and similar terms) means (a) with respect to any Person, possessing, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any such relevant Person by ownership of voting interest, by contract or otherwise; provided, however, that solely having the power to act as the operator of a Person’s day-to-day commercial operations, without otherwise having the direct or indirect power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, shall not satisfy the foregoing definition of “Control” and (b) with respect to any Products or water, such Products or water with respect to which Producer has the contractual right or obligation (pursuant to a marketing, agency, operating, unit or similar agreement) to market such Products or water and Producer elects or is obligated to market such Products or water.

COPAS ” means Council of Petroleum Accountants Society.

CPI ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 .

Cubic Feet ” or “ Cubic Foot ” means the volume of Gas, corrected for water vapor, which occupies one cubic foot of space at a temperature of sixty degrees (60°) Fahrenheit and an absolute pressure of 14.73 pounds psia. 

Day ” means the period of time beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Prevailing Time on any calendar day and ending at 9:00 a.m. Central Prevailing Time on the calendar day immediately following.

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Dedicated Acreage ” means Producer’s acreage as described on Exhibit C – Part 1 , attached hereto and made a part hereof , including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Dedicated Instruments.

Dedicated Deeds ” means Producer’s mineral deeds, including those mineral deeds set forth on Exhibit C – Part 2 attached hereto and made a part hereof, to the extent that such mineral deeds cover the Dedicated Acreage.

Dedicated Instruments ” means the Dedicated Deeds and the Dedicated Leases.

Dedicated Leases ” means Producer’s mineral leases, including those mineral leases set forth on Exhibit C – Part 3 attached hereto and made a part hereof, to the extent that such mineral leases cover the Dedicated Acreage.

Dedicated Products ” means, subject to Section 3.1 , Producer’s Products that are produced from any well(s) located on the Dedicated Acreage. 

Default ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1 .

Delivery Point(s) ” means the points specified as “Delivery Points” on Exhibit A attached hereto and any other points that may be added from time to time and mutually agreed by the Parties.  Exhibit A shall be deemed to be amended from time to time to add additional Delivery Points in accordance with the terms of Section 3.8 .

Disconnect ” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.6 .  

Disputing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5 .

Disruption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 .

EBB ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 .

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

EFM ” means electronic flow measurement system.

Election Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a) .

Emissions ” means any gaseous, liquid, solid or other substance emitted by the Gathering System.  Emissions include , carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and volatile organic material.

Excess Gas Volume ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(e) .

Excess Oil Volume ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b) .  

Exhibit ” and “ Exhibits ” have the meanings set forth in Section 1.3 .

Existing Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)

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Firm ” means, with respect to those obligations of a Party pursuant to this Agreement that are designated as such, that such Party may interrupt its performance without liability only to the extent its performance is prevented by an event of Force Majeure or as otherwise specifically allowed for in this Agreement (including curtailment by Gatherer pursuant to the terms of Section 3.6 ). 

FL&U ” means the aggregate of (i) Producer’s pro rata share of Products that is lost and Products that are unaccounted for in the Gathering System; plus (ii) Producer’s share of Compression Fuel.  “FL&U” includes Products lost as a result of, but not limited to, leakage, venting or flaring, discrepancies due to meter inaccuracies or variations of temperature and/or pressure, and any Products that are unaccounted for (whether or not arising from the foregoing causes).

Force Majeure ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1 .

Future Projects ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8 .

Gallon ” means a United States gallon of two hundred thirty-one (231) cubic inches of liquid at sixty degrees (60º) Fahrenheit, and at the equivalent vapor pressure of the liquid.

Gas ” means natural gas produced from gas wells and gas produced in association with oil (casing head gas) from oil wells, and includes all hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbons produced with the gas.

Gas Commitment Term ” means the first five (5) years of the Primary Term, subject to Sections 5.2(e) ,   5.2(f) and 5.2(g) .

Gas Deficiency Volume ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(f) .

Gatherer ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Gatherer Group ” means Gatherer, its Affiliates and each of their respective employees, officers, directors, partners, equityholders, members, managers, agents, representatives, contractors, sub-contractors, invitees and insurers; which shall not include, for the sake of clarity, a member of the Producer Group acting in its capacity as a member of the Producer Group.

Gathering and Processing Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 .

Gathering System ” means the gathering pipeline, transportation and processing system connecting the Receipt Points to the Delivery Point(s) and providing the gathering, transportation and processing services contemplated in this Agreement, as further initially depicted and described on Exhibit D and including, for the sake of clarity, any existing or additional CGPs, Delivery Points, Receipt Points and Future Projects.

Governmental Authority ” means any legislature, court, tribunal, arbitrator or arbitral body, authority, agency, commission, division, board, bureau, branch, official or other instrumentality of the U.S., or any domestic state, county, city, tribal or other political subdivision,

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governmental department or similar governing entity, and including any governmental, quasi-governmental or non-governmental body exercising similar powers of authority.

 

GPA ” means Gas Processors of America.

 

Gross Heating Value ” means the number of Btus produced by the combustion, on an as delivered basis and at a constant pressure, of the amount of the Gas which would occupy a volume of one (1) Cubic Foot at a temperature of sixty degrees (60°) Fahrenheit and at a pressure of fourteen and seventy-three hundredths (14.73) psia, with air of the same temperature and pressure as the Gas, when the products of combustion are cooled to the initial temperature of the Gas and air and when the water formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid state.

Group ” means Gatherer Group or Producer Group, as the context may dictate.

Imbalance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a) .

Insolvency Event ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person (i) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (ii) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (iii) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (iv) institutes or has instituted against it , a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or a regulator, supervisor or similar official, in each case which is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within fifteen (15) Days of the institution or presentation thereof; (v) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, dissolution or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (vi) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (vii) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within fifteen (15) Days thereafter; (viii) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it that, under Applicable Law, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (i) to (vii) above (inclusive); or (ix) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.

Maximum Daily Quantity ” and “ MDQ ” mean , for any applicable Day, the lesser of (i) the sum of the Maximum Delivery Capacity of the Delivery Points on such Day and (ii) the sum of the Maximum Receipt Capacity of the Receipt Points on such Day.

Maximum Delivery Capacity ” means the maximum volume that Gatherer is obligated to deliver to each Delivery Point on any Day (beginning on the Effective Date), as specified in Exhibit A , as may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties from time to time.

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Maximum Receipt Capacity ” means the maximum volume that Gatherer is obligated to receive at any Receipt Point on any Day (beginning on the Effective Date), as specified on Exhibit A , as may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties from time to time.

Maximum System Pressure ” means the maximum pressure at each Receipt Point at which the Gathering System may be operated as may be mutually agreed to by the Parties from time to time, which may be different for different segments of the Gathering System and which, until otherwise mutually agreed to by the Parties, will be 800   psig.

Mcf ” means 1,000 Cubic Feet of Gas.

Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas ” means, for any Contract Quarter within the first five (5) years from the Effective Date, a quantity of Gas for such Contract Quarter as specified in Exhibit F multiplied by the number of Days in that Contract Quarter, subject to reduction as set forth in Section 3.3 and Section 11.5 .  

Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil ” means, for any Contract Quarter within the first five (5) years from the Effective Date, a quantity of Oil and Condensate for such Contract Quarter as specified in Exhibit F multiplied by the number of Days in that Contract Quarter, subject to reduction as set forth in Section 3.3 and Section 11.5 .  

Month ” means a period beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Prevailing Time on the first Day of a calendar month and ending at 9:00 a.m. Central Prevailing Time on the first Day of the calendar month immediately thereafter.

NAESB ” means North American Energy Standards Board, or its successors.

Net Delivery Quantity ” means the aggregate quantity of Gas and Oil equal to the aggregate quantity of Producer’s Products, stated in Mcf or Bbl, respectively, received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points, less (i) FL&U and (ii) shrinkage attributable to Producer’s Condensate.

Non-Disputing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5 .

Oil ” means a mixture of hydrocarbons that exist in a liquid state in natural underground reservoirs and that remain liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through mechanical separating facilities.

Oil Commitment Term ” means the first five (5) years of the Primary Term, subject to Sections 5.2(b) ,   5.2(c) and 5.2(d) .

Oil Deficiency Volume ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(c) .

 “ Party ” or “ Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Person ” includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, or Governmental Authority.

Primary Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1 .

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Producer ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Producer Group ” means Producer, its Affiliates and each of their respective employees, officers, directors, partners, equityholders, members, managers, agents, representatives, contractors, sub-contractors, invitees and insurers; which shall not include, for the sake of clarity, a member of the Gatherer Group acting in its capacity as a member of the Gatherer Group. 

Producer’s Condensate ” or “ Condensate ” means the liquid products of oil wells and gas wells resulting from condensation of petroleum hydrocarbons recovered as a result of separation or processing in the Gathering System or as a result of Gatherer’s operations hereunder.

Producer’s Gas ” means all Gas that is: (i) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from the Dedicated Acreage in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (ii) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from outside the Dedicated Acreage and delivered at the Receipt Points in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Producer’s Oil ” means all Oil that is: (i) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from the Dedicated Acreage in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (ii) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from outside the Dedicated Acreage and delivered at the Receipt Points in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Producer’s Products ” or “ Products ” means all Oil, Gas and other hydrocarbons that are: (i) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from the Dedicated Acreage in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (ii) owned or Controlled by Producer or its Affiliates and produced and saved from outside the Dedicated Acreage and delivered at the Receipt Points in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

PSA ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

psia ” means pounds per square inch absolute.

psig ” means pounds per square inch gauge.

Quarterly Deficiency Payments ” means, collectively, the Quarterly Gas Deficiency Payment and the Quarterly Oil Deficiency Payment.

Quarterly Gas Deficiency Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(g) .

Quarterly Oil Deficiency Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(d) .

Receipt Point(s) ” means the flange on the Gathering System at the “Receipt Points” specified on Exhibit A and any other points added from time to time and mutually agreed by the Parties or otherwise added from time to time.  Exhibit A shall be deemed to be amended from time to time to add additional Receipt Points in accordance with the terms of Section 3.8 .

Renewal Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a) .

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Representatives ” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.5 .

Right of First Refusal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b) .

Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.2(a) .

Scheduled Quantity ” means the quantity of Producer’s Products (expressed in Unit of Volume) to be received under this Agreement at each Receipt Point, subject to Producer’s compliance with the nomination procedures set forth in this Agreement.

SPP ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a) .

Third Party Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .

Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b) .

Unit of Volume ” means as measured by the applicable commodity increment (Mcf or Barrel).

Section 1.2    Rules of Interpretation .  All references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections, Exhibits and other subdivisions refer to corresponding articles, sections, subsections, Exhibits and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.  Titles appearing at the beginning of any articles, sections, subsections, Exhibits and subdivisions are for convenience only and will not constitute part of such articles, sections, subsections, Exhibits and subdivisions and will be disregarded in construing the language contained in such articles, sections, subsections, Exhibits and subdivisions.  The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.  Words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires.  Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Examples will not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate.  The   word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions.  Where a date or time period is specified, it will be deemed inclusive of the last day in such period or the date specified, as the case may be.  No consideration will be given to the fact or presumption that one Party had a greater or lesser hand in drafting this Agreement.

Section 1.3     Exhibits .  The following exhibits (collectively “ Exhibits ”, and each an “ Exhibit ”) are attached to, form part of, and are incorporated herein by reference as though contained in the body of this Agreement:

Exhibit A - Receipt Points (and CGPs); Delivery Point(s)

Exhibit B - Fees

Exhibit C – Part 1 - Dedicated Acreage

Exhibit C – Part 2 - Dedicated Deeds

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Exhibit C – Part 3 - Dedicated Leases

Exhibit D - Gathering System

Exhibit E - Memorandum of Agreement

Exhibit F - Minimum Quarterly Quantity

 

Whenever any term or condition, whether express or implied, of any Exhibit conflicts with or is at variance with any term or condition of the body of this Agreement, the latter will prevail to the extent of such conflict or variance.

ARTICLE 2
GATHERER AND PRODUCER FACILITIES

Section 2.1 Grant of Producer’s Land Rights .  Producer, at its sole cost and expense, shall acquire rights of way and construct, operate, and maintain such facilities upstream of the Receipt Points as are necessary for Producer to deliver Producer’s Products to Gatherer in accordance with this Agreement.  Producer hereby grants to Gatherer or its design ee, pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of the Dedicated Leases, and otherwise insofar as Producer has the legal right to do so without the incurrence of additional expense, the non-exclusive right of ingress and egress over, across and under all lands and leaseholds or premises of Producer, for the construction, maintenance and operation of pipelines and other facilities necessary or convenient for the gathering, compression, separation, processing and redelivery of Producer’s Products under this Agreement including, for the sake of clarity, any repair, replacement or expansion of the Gathering System.  The preceding shall in no way act as a limitation or exception to the representations and warranties made by Producer in the PSA in Articles III and IV or the indemnities with respect to a breach thereof.  Producer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in force and effect the underlying agreements (such as the Dedicated Leases and any other lease, easement or surface use agreement) that the rights granted pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 2.1 are based upon.  Such rights shall terminate without liability to Producer if Producer, acting in a commercially reasonable manner, loses its rights to the applicable property.  All operations conducted by Gatherer on such lands and leaseholds shall be carried out in a manner that does not materially interfere with the operations of Producer and shall be conducted in accordance with standards customary in the industry and in compliance with the terms and conditions of applicable underlying agreements (such as any lease, easement or surface use agreement) with respect to its operations and all Applicable Laws.  EACH PARTY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD THE OTHER PARTY’S GROUP harmless FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities (of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) ARISING OUT OF, RESULTING FROM OR RELATING TO (1) THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF A MEMBER OF THE FIRST PARTY’S GROUP IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PERSON’S USE OF THE RIGHTS, or failure to comply with the obligations, SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 2.1 OR THE DEDICATED INSTRUMENTS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY OF THE ABOVE IN THIS SENTENCE ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY’S GROUP AND (2) SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND

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CONDITIONS OF ANY SUBSEQUENT SIGNED AGREEMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THE PARTIES AND/OR THEIR AFFILIATES ADDRESSING SUCH MATTERS, AND WITHOUT DUPLICATION, LIMITATION OR EXPANSION OF THE OTHER INDEMNITIES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF A MEMBER OF THE FIRST PARTY’S GROUP FOR WHICH THE OTHER PARTY MAY BE LIABLE SOLELY BY VIRTUE OF ANY PROVISION IN THE DEDICATED INSTRUMENTS PURSUANT TO WHICH SUCH OTHER PARTY MAY BE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF A MEMBER OF THE FIRST PARTY’S GROUP .

Section 2.2 Producer’s Dedication .  Producer exclusively dedicates and commits the Dedicated Acreage to this Agreement and to deliver to Gatherer under this Agreement, as and when produced, (a) all of the Dedicated Products and water owned by Producer and (b) all of the third party Gas, Oil and water under the Control of Producer, in each case produced during the Term from the Dedicated Acreage.

Section 2.3 Producer’s Reservations Producer reserves for itself the following rights: 

(a) to operate (or cause to be operated) wells producing Producer’s Products in its sole discretion, including the right (but not the obligation) to drill new wells, repair and rework old wells, temporarily shut in wells, renew or extend, in whole or in part, any oil and gas lease or term mineral interest, and to cease production from or abandon any well or surrender any such oil and gas lease, in whole or in part, when no longer deemed by Producer to be capable of producing in paying quantities under normal methods of operation;  

(b) to use Producer’s Gas for lease operations (including reservoir pressure maintenance) and water treatment facility operations relating to the lands within the Dedicated Acreage;

(c) to deliver such Producer’s Products or furnish such Producer’s Products to Producer’s lessors and holders of other burdens on production existing on the Effective Date with respect to such Producer’s Products as is required to satisfy the terms of the applicable oil and gas leases or other applicable instruments existing on the Effective Date;

(d) until the applicable Gathering System facilities are completed and ready for service with respect to a well or planned well, to temporarily connect wells or planned wells into other gathering systems; provided that such reservation shall be terminated as of the first Day of the next succeeding Month once such Gathering System facilities are completed and ready for service;

(e) to pool, communitize or unitize Producer’s interests with respect to Producer’s Products; provided that Producer’s share of Producer’s Products produced from such pooled, communitized, or unitized interests shall be committed and dedicated pursuant to this Agreement; and

(f) to retain all liquids separated from Producer’s Gas by the use of conventional lease separators prior to delivery of Producer’s Gas to Gatherer at the Receipt Points, provided that Producer will not be permitted to remove or recover hydrocarbons from Producer’s Gas other than through the use of conventional mechanical gas/oil field separators.

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Section 2.4 Downstream Arrangements .  Producer shall , at its sole cost and expense throughout the term of this Agreement, secure adequate, uninterruptible transportation capacity and make appropriate arrangements to dispose of its Products downstream of the Delivery Point(s) in sufficient quantities to allow Gatherer to receive and deliver an amount of Producer’s Products each Day equal to the lesser of the MDQ and the amount of Producer’s Products actually delivered on the applicable Day.  Gatherer will reasonably cooperate with Producer in disposing of the Products downstream and in meeting the MDQ for each Day, but will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket costs or expenses with respect to such cooperation.

Section 2.5 Memorandum .  Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement and from time to time during the Term, the Parties will execute, acknowledge, deliver and record a “short form” memorandum of this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E identifying the Dedicated Acreage and identifying the lands, leases and wells within the Dedicated Acreage in which Producer and its Affiliates own interests, which Producer will file of record in the real property records of each county that contains Dedicated Acreage.

Section 2.6 Covenant Running with the Land .  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3 and Article 13 , the dedication and commitment made by Producer under this Agreement is a covenant running with the Dedicated Acreage.  For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in Article 13 , (a) in the event Producer sells, transfers, conveys, assigns, grants or otherwise disposes of any or all of its interest in the Dedicated Acreage, then any such sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment, grant or other disposition shall be expressly subject to this Agreement and (b) in the event Gatherer sells, transfers, conveys, assigns, grants or otherwise disposes of any or all of its interest in the Gathering System, then any such sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment, grant or other disposition shall be expressly subject to this Agreement.

ARTICLE 3
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 3.1 Producer’s Obligations .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as of the Effective Date, Producer’s obligations are as follows:

(a) to tender for delivery to Gatherer at the Receipt Points 100% of the Dedicated Products, which Producer hereby represents and warrants that it or its Affiliates own or have the right to deliver to Gatherer hereunder; provided ,   that , to the extent any lands or leases now owned or hereafter acquired by Producer in the Dedicated Acreage are subject to binding contractual commitments to deliver to others to the exclusion of, or prior to delivery to, Gatherer that exist as of the Effective Date (such commitments are set forth on Schedule 3.1 ) or bind lands or leases that are hereafter acquired by Producer prior to Producer’s acquisition of such lands and leases (the “ Existing Commitments ”), such lands and leases shall be excluded from the commitment hereunder until the end of the then-current term of such Existing Commitment (excluding any subsequent “evergreen” or “renewal” terms, with the express understanding that Producer shall use reasonable efforts to give timely notice to terminate any such Existing Commitment prior to commencement of any “evergreen” or “renewal” term), at which time Producer’s Products

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previously subject to such Existing Commitments shall be dedicated pursuant to this Section 3.1(a) ;

(b) in accordance with the terms of Section 5.2 , to deliver to Gatherer at the Receipt Points a cumulative minimum volume of Producer’s Products in each Contract Quarter equal to no less than the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil and the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas ;

(c) subject to Section 3.8(a) , to construct and operate any facility necessary to deliver Producer’s Products and water to the Receipt Points; and

(d) not to deliver any Dedicated Products to any other gatherer, purchaser or marketer or other Person prior to delivery to Gatherer at the Receipt Points.

Except through the Gathering and Processing Fee or as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement (including in Section 3.8 ), Producer shall have no responsibility for the cost of the Gathering System or any facilities constructed or to be constructed by Gatherer.

Section 3.2 Gatherer’s Obligations .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as of the Effective Date, Gatherer’s obligations, which Gatherer will perform in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with standards customary in the industry and in material compliance with Applicable Law, are as follows:

(a) subject to Section 3.8(a) , to construct, install, own, operate, maintain, repair, restore, replace, reconstruct and remediate, at Gatherer’s sole cost, risk and expense, the Gathering System, including the facilities necessary to provide the gathering, transportation and processing services contemplated in this Agreement (except as expressly provided for in this Agreement);

(b) subject to Section 3.4 , to receive and gather at the Receipt Points the quantity of Producer’s Products and water tendered by Producer and separate, compress, process and stabilize such Producer’s Products prior to delivery at the Delivery Point(s) to the standards set forth in this Agreement (including Section 10.3 );

(c) subject to Section 3.4 , to deliver the Net Delivery Quantity to the Delivery Point(s); provided that on and after the Effective Date, Gatherer shall provide Firm services to deliver (x) Producer’s Dedicated Products to the Delivery Points and (y) Producer’s Products not constituting Dedicated Products to the Delivery Points up to the MDQ in the aggregate;

(d) to provide storage capacity, for any Month, for Producer’s Condensate and water in an amount equal to the amount of Producer’s Condensate and water collected by Gatherer in the operation of the Gathering System; and

(e) notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Gatherer shall not be required to accept, gather, treat or process any Producer’s Products to the extent such acceptance, gathering, treatment or processing would violate the terms of the Dedicated Instruments or any other agreement directly relating to Gatherer’s rights to own, maintain, and/or operate the Gathering System.

 

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Section 3.3 Option to Reduce Minimum Quarterly Quantity Subject to the compliance with the terms of the Dedicated Instruments , Gatherer may enter into gathering, transportation and processing agreements with Persons other than the Producer to provide firm gathering, transportation and processing services on the Gathering System with prior written consent from Producer (each, a “ Third Party Agreement ”), but may not provide services on the Gathering System to such Persons otherwise. Gatherer shall notify Producer in writing of the Third Party Agreements and the proposed firm volume commitment and Producer shall have a one-time option (which option must be exercised by delivering a written notice thereof to Gatherer within thirty (30) Days of Producer’s receipt of notice of the Third Party Agreement) to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil or the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas, as applicable, by any volume not to exceed the firm volume commitment described in the Third Party Agreement; provided that in such event the MDQ shall be reduced on a volumetric basis, by Product, in an amount equal to the amount of capacity provided by the new Third Party Agreement and such election by Producer shall become effective only upon the date of first receipt of hydrocarbons under the applicable fully executed Third Party Agreement and shall last only for so long as such Third Party Agreement remains in full force and effect.

Section 3.4 Volume and Dedicated Acreage Limitations .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Gatherer’s obligation to (a) receive, gather, separate and compress Producer’s Products and water as provided for in this Agreement will not exceed the Maximum Receipt Capacity for the applicable Receipt Point(s) and (b) process, stabilize and deliver Producer’s Products as provided for in this Agreement will not exceed the Maximum Delivery Capacity for the applicable Delivery Point(s).  Gatherer shall have no obligation to provide any of the services set forth in this Agreement with respect to Producer’s Products or water produced and saved from outside the Dedicated Acreage unless and until Gatherer secures all rights incident to Gatherer’s provision of the services hereunder with respect to such Producer’s Products and water produced and saved from outside the Dedicated Acreage on terms acceptable to Gatherer in its sole discretion.

Section 3.5 Gathering System Interruptions .   Producer’s Products entitled to Firm service may be, from time to time, interrupted, curtailed, or disrupted (herein, a “ Disruption ”) to the extent reasonably necessary (as determined by Gatherer acting in its reasonable discretion) for any of the following reasons: (i) safe operation of the Gathering System, (ii) an ongoing event of Force Majeure affecting Gatherer, (iii) subject to the Gatherer’s compliance with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the inability of a Delivery Point to receive Producer’s Products, and (iv) upon reasonable advance notice to Producer, maintenance, expansions or modifications of the Gathering System from time to time, provided that with respect to this item Gatherer will reasonably cooperate with Producer to minimize adverse effects due to such work. In the event of a Disruption, Gatherer will give Producer prompt notice with reasonable detail of the reason for the Disruption and a good faith estimate of the duration and extent of such Disruption.  In such event Gatherer shall not be in breach or default of its obligations under this Agreement and shall have no liability to Producer in connection with or resulting from any such curtailment; provided ,   however , that Gatherer shall, at Producer’s request, release from dedication under this Agreement all of Producer’s volumes interrupted or curtailed as the result of such Disruption .  When Gatherer reestablishes Producer’s Firm service as to such volumes interrupted or curtailed by a Disruption,

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Gatherer shall give Producer notice of such fact and Producer shall recommence deliveries to Gatherer of the volumes that would have otherwise been released from dedication as a result of such Disruption on the first Day of the Month following the receipt of such notice and all such volumes shall again be subject to this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Disruption pursuant to Section 3.5(iii) shall not excuse Producer’s payment obligations with respect to the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil and the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas and Quarterly Deficiency Payments (subject to, for the sake of clarity, Sections 5.2(c) and (f) ).

Section 3.6 Curtailment with Regard to Governmental Orders The Parties intend and agree that all services hereunder with respect to Producer’s Products and water provided to Producer shall be provided with the priority specified in Section 3.2(c) , and that Producer has a Firm call upon the capacity of the Gathering System for service to Producer for its Products and water for the Term.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Governmental Authority issues an order requiring Gatherer to allocate capacity to another shipper, Gatherer shall only curtail receipts of Producer’s Products and water entitled to Firm service (which curtailment shall be done in accordance with this Section 3.6 ) to the extent necessary to allocate such capacity to such other shipper.  In such event Gatherer shall not be in breach or default of its obligations under this Agreement and shall have no liability to Producer in connection with or resulting from any such curtailment; provided ,   however , that Gatherer shall, at Producer’s request, release from dedication under this Agreement all of Producer’s volumes interrupted or curtailed as the result of such allocation.  When Gatherer reestablishes Producer’s Firm service as to such volumes interrupted or curtailed by such events, Gatherer shall give Producer notice of such fact and Producer shall recommence deliveries to Gatherer of the volumes that would have otherwise been released from dedication as a result of such curtailment on the first Day of the Month following the receipt of such notice and all such volumes shall again be subject to this Agreement.

Section 3.7 Commingling .  Producer’s Product received by Gatherer under this Agreement will constitute part of the supply of “Products” from all sources in the Gathering System, and Gatherer has the right to commingle Producer’s Products with other “Products,” to deliver molecules different from those received from Producer and to handle the molecules received from Producer and others in any manner; provided that any such other “Products” shall meet or exceed the specifications set forth in Article 10 .

Section 3.8 Future Projects

(a) From time to time, Producer may propose to construct additional facilities or any other additions (including connecting additional wells), improvements or appurtenances relating to the Gathering System (including, but not limited to, additional CGPs, additional Delivery Points, additional Receipt Points, pipelines, tanks, separators, flanges, meters, etc., but not including the Assets Under Construction, “ Future Projects ”).  Gatherer shall have the right to approve any Future Project in its commercially reasonable discretion.  Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties and subject to Gatherer’s approval right, (i) Producer shall always have the option to undertake and construct (in reasonable cooperation with Gatherer) a Future Project at its sole cost and expense and (ii) if, in Gatherer’s commercially reasonable discretion, a Future Project would permit the Maximum Daily Quantity to be increased, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith the division of costs, expenses and responsibilities for such Future Project and the amount of the increase in the Maximum Daily Quantity; provided that if such negotiations do not result in an

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agreement within a reasonable period of time, then the Parties may agree that volumes in excess of the Maximum Daily Quantity that would have otherwise been able to be handled by the Gathering System from such Future Project (as reasonably determined by Producer) shall be released and no longer be considered part of the Dedicated Products.  If such volumes are released, Producer shall construct such Future Project (which will not utilize any part of the Gathering System) at Producer’s sole cost and expense.

(b) Gatherer hereby grants to Producer or its designee ,   insofar as Gatherer has the legal right to do so without the incurrence of additional expense, the non-exclusive right of ingress and egress over, across and under all lands and leaseholds or premises of Gatherer, and to the Gathering System, for the construction and, as applicable, operation of Future Projects and the Assets Under Construction.  All operations conducted by Producer with respect to Future Projects shall be carried out in a manner that does not, without the prior consent of Gatherer (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), interfere with any operations of the Gathering System and shall be conducted in accordance with standards customary in the industry with respect to its operations and all Applicable Laws.  PRODUCER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD GATHERER GROUP harmless FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) ARISING OUT OF, RESULTING FROM OR RELATING TO THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF A MEMBER OF THE PRODUCER GROUP IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PERSON’S USE OF THE RIGHTS, or failure to comply with the obligations, SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 3.8(B) ,   EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY OF THE ABOVE IN THIS SENTENCE ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF THE GATHERER GROUP.  Notwithstanding the preceding, Gatherer shall not be required to move any gathering lines, pipelines or other equipment or facilities in order to accommodate Producer with respect to the preceding.

Section 3.9 Amendment of Dedicated Instruments .  The Parties acknowledge and agree that Producer may, at its discretion, amend any Dedicated Instrument from time to time in any manner; provided that , Producer may not amend any Dedicated Instrument in any manner which would be reasonably expected to impose additional material costs upon Gatherer or otherwise materially affect Gatherer in an adverse manner without Gatherer’s prior written consent (such consent to be exercised in Gatherer’s commercially reasonable discretion).

Section 3.10 Producer’s Cooperation in Obtaining Easements .  Producer hereby agrees to provide Gatherer reasonable assistance in obtaining from the owners of any applicable surface interest the rights incident to Gatherer providing services under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, rights of way, easements or surface use agreements).  For the avoidance of doubt, Producer shall not be required to pay any out-of-pocket costs or expenses in connection with providing Gatherer reasonable assistance pursuant to this 0 .

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ARTICLE 4
POINTS OF RECEIPT AND DELIVERY; PRESSURE

Section 4.1 Receipt Points .  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Gatherer will receive Producer’s Products and water at the Receipt Point(s).

 

Section 4.2 Delivery Point(s) .  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Gatherer will deliver the Net Delivery Quantity to Producer or its designees at the Delivery Point(s). 

Section 4.3 (Intentionally left blank)

Section 4.4 Delivery Pressure .  Producer will deliver Producer’s Products to Gatherer at the Receipt Points at a pressure sufficient to enter the Gathering System against the actual operating pressure, as the same may vary from time to time, but not to exceed Gatherer’s Maximum System Pressure.  Gatherer will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the pressure in the Gathering System at or below 800 psig or such other pressure as may be mutually agreed to by the Parties .     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Producer will not be obligated to compress Producer’s Products in order to effectuate delivery of Producer’s Products to Gatherer .

Section 4.5 Redelivery Pressure .  Gatherer will deliver Producer’s Products at each Delivery Point at a pressure sufficient to permit delivery into the applicable downstream transporter s.

Section 4.6 Rate of Flow .  Producer will use commercially reasonable efforts to balance the quantities of Producer’s Products delivered to and received from the Gathering System and, if necessary, make adjustments to the rate of Products production or nominations to balance such receipts and deliveries.  The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to receive and deliver the Scheduled Quantity at a uniform hourly rate of flow determined by dividing the Scheduled Quantity by 24.  Gatherer shall accept quantities deviating from the uniform hourly rate of flow unless and to the extent Gatherer is unable, in using commercially reasonable efforts, to accept such deviation based on Gatherer’s operating conditions.

ARTICLE 5
FEES, MINIMUM QUARTERLY QUANTITY, BILLING, AND PAYMENT

Section 5.1 Gathering and Processing Fee As consideration for the gathering, transportation and processing services performed by Gatherer under this Agreement, Producer will pay to Gatherer the gathering, transportation and processing fees as set forth on Exhibit B (the “ Gathering and Processing Fee ”).

Section 5.2 Minimum Quarterly Quantity .  

(a) During the Oil Commitment Term, Producer agrees to tender for delivery the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil as specified on Exhibit F .  During the Gas Commitment Term, Producer agrees to tender for delivery the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas as specified on Exhibit F .  For the avoidance of doubt, Producer’s Products which Gatherer does not accept

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pursuant to Sections 3.4 ,   6.4 ,   6.6 ,   8.1 ,   10.1 or 10.2 shall not count toward the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil or the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas.

(b) If, during any applicable Contract Quarter within the Oil Commitment Term, Producer ships greater than the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil (“ Excess Oil Volume ”), such Excess Oil Volume will automatically decrease the Oil Commitment Term on a nominal volume basis, subject to the restriction that the Oil Commitment Term may never be reduced to less than four (4) years.  At the end of each Contract Quarter in which there is an Excess Oil Volume, Gatherer will provide a revised calculation of the Oil Commitment Term.

(c) If, during any applicable Contract Quarter within the Oil Commitment Term, Producer tenders less volume than the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil (such volume shortfall, the “ Oil Deficiency Volume ”), Producer may elect to extend the Oil Commitment Term on a nominal volume basis to offset the Oil Deficiency Volume.  If such an election is made by Producer, the nominal volume basis extension may not exceed 20% of that Contract Quarter’s Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil, nor may the nominal volume basis extension increase the Oil Commitment Term to longer than five (5) years ; provided that, with respect to Oil Deficiency Volumes which are in connection with or resulting from a Force Majeure event affecting Producer, the nominal volume basis extension shall not be limited to 20% of that Contract Quarter’s Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil and the nominal volume basis extension may increase the Oil Commitment Term up to, but not beyond ,   December 31, 2021.  At the end of a Contract Quarter in which Producer makes such an election, Gatherer will provide a revised calculation of the Oil Commitment Term.

(d) If Producer does not elect to extend the Oil Commitment Term to offset the Oil Deficiency Volume or if the Oil Deficiency Volume cannot be fully offset under Section 5.2(c) by an extension to the Oil Commitment Term, Producer will pay Gatherer a “ Quarterly Oil Deficiency Payment ” equal to (i) any Oil Deficiency Volumes not offset under Section 5.2(c) , multiplied by (ii) the corresponding Gathering and Processing Fee listed on Exhibit B at the time of payments under Section 5.3 .

(e) If, during any applicable Contract Quarter within the Gas Commitment Term, Producer ships greater than the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas (“ Excess Gas Volume ”), such Excess Gas Volume will automatically decrease the Gas Commitment Term on a nominal volume basis, subject to the restriction that the Gas Commitment Term may never be reduced to less than four (4) years.  At the end of each Contract Quarter in which there is an Excess Gas Volume, Gatherer will provide a revised calculation of the Gas Commitment Term.

(f) If, during any applicable Contract Quarter within the Gas Commitment Term, Producer tenders less volume than the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas (such volume shortfall, the “ Gas Deficiency Volume ”), Producer may elect to extend the Gas Commitment Term on a nominal volume basis to offset the Gas Deficiency Volume.  If such an election is made by Producer, the nominal volume basis extension may not exceed 20% of that Contract Quarter’s Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas, nor may the nominal volume basis extension increase the Gas Commitment Term to longer than five (5) years ; provided that, with respect to Gas Deficiency Volumes which are in connection with or resulting from a Force Majeure event affecting Producer, the nominal volume basis extension shall not be limited to 20% of that Contract Quarter’s

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Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas and the nominal volume basis extension may increase the Gas Commitment Term up to, but not beyond ,   December 31, 2021.  At the end of a Contract Quarter in which Producer makes such an election, Gatherer will provide a revised calculation of the Gas Commitment Term.

(g) If Producer does not elect to extend the Gas Commitment Term to offset the Gas Deficiency Volume or if the Gas Deficiency Volume cannot be fully offset under Section 5.2(f) by an extension to the Gas Commitment Term, Producer will pay Gatherer a “ Quarterly Gas Deficiency Payment ” equal to (i) any Gas Deficiency Volumes not offset under Section 5.2(f) , multiplied by (ii) the corresponding Gathering and Processing Fee listed on Exhibit B at the time of payments under Section 5.3 .

Section 5.3 Statements and Payments .    

(a) On or before the 25 th   of each Month, Gatherer will tender to Producer a monthly statement showing for the preceding Month the following:

(i) the quantity of Producer’s Products and water received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points (in Mcf and Bbl);

   (ii) the Net Delivery Quantity of Producer’s Oil and Producer’s Gas delivered to each Delivery Point (in Mcf and Bbl);

  (iii) the amount of Producer’s Condensate and water recovered and removed at each Delivery Point (in Bbl);

  (iv) the Gathering and Processing Fees for such quantities transported by Gatherer;

  (v) the quantity of Producer’s Products delivered by Producer since the first Day of the current Contract Year;

 (vi) for the first invoice due after the end of each Contract Quarter, any amounts due to Gatherer for Quarterly Oil Deficiency Payments pursuant to Section 5.2(d) and Quarterly Gas Deficiency Payments pursuant to Section 5.2(g) ; and

 (vii) the total net amount then due to Producer or Gatherer, as the case may be, under this Agreement.

(b) All amounts owed under this Agreement not subject to a good faith dispute pursuant to Section 5.5 (other than for indemnity obligations), including any amounts for prior period adjustments, late payments and the Quarterly Deficiency Payments, if any, will be netted between the Parties on a Monthly basis.  If a Monthly statement reflects that Gatherer owes an amount to Producer, Gatherer will remit the amount due to Producer on or before the last Day of the Month in which such statement was rendered. If a Monthly statement reflects that Producer owes an amount to Gatherer, Producer will remit th e amount due to Gatherer within thirty (30) Days after delivery to Producer of the monthly statement.  Payment will be by ACH or wire transfer of immediately available funds.

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(c) If (i) a Party fails to pay the entire undisputed amount of any invoice or other payment request when such amount is due, or (ii) an amount disputed in good faith by the Disputing Party pursuant to Section 5.5 is later determined to be due to the Non-Disputing Party, then, in each case, the other Party may bill such nonpaying Party a charge for late payment which will be included by the other Party either on the next regular invoice rendered, or by separate invoice.  The charge for any late payment will be equal to the product of (a) the unpaid, undisputed portion of the invoice, times (b) the ratio of the number of Days from the due date to the date of actual payment in full to 365, times (c) the lesser of (i) the then-effective prime interest rate as published in the   Wall Street Journal , plus 2% per annum and (ii) the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law.  If the Wall Street Journal ceases to be published or discontinues publishing a prime rate, the unpaid balance shall bear interest compounded monthly at the prime rate published by the Federal Reserve plus two percent (2%) per annum.

 

Section 5.4 Annual Rate Adjustment .     Effective on each anniversary of the Effective Date through the Term of this Agreement, the Gathering and Processing Fee and all other fees for services by Gatherer in accordance with this Agreement shall be adjusted by the product of the fees then in effect multiplied by the percentage increase (if any) between the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers (CPI-U); U.S. City Average; All items, 1982-1984 reference base), issued by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (“ BLS ”) (the “ CPI ”) for January of the current year and the CPI for January of the immediately preceding year; provided that in no event shall the fees hereunder be increased by more than 3% from the fees in effect for the immediately preceding year, or decreased.  If the 1982-1984 reference base is no longer used as the standard reference base by BLS, then the standard reference base shall be that established from time to time by BLS as the replacement for the CPI.

Section 5.5 Disputed Statement .  If either Party, in good faith, disputes any billing, statement or other payment request (the “ Disputing Party ”), the Disputing Party will pay to the other Party (the “ Non-Disputing Party ”) any undisputed amount and will notify the Non-Disputing Party in writing within ten (10) Days of receipt of such billing or statement that the Disputing Party disputes other amounts, which notice will include adequate documentation demonstrating the amount of and basis for the dispute.  The Parties will endeavor in good faith to resolve such dispute within thirty (30) Days following the Non-Disputing Party’s receipt of such notice.  Subject to the audit rights set forth in Section 5.6 , the Disputing Party waives the right to dispute or challenge any invoice or statement if the Disputing Party does not dispute or challenge that invoice or statement in accordance with this Section 5.5 .  Any disputed amount that is later determined to be due to Gatherer shall be subject to late payment charges pursuant to Section 5.3(c) .

Section 5.6 Examination of Books .     Gatherer and Producer, upon notice in writing to the other Party and upon execution of a mutually acceptable confidentiality agreement which is typical for this type of audit, with neither Party’s consent to agree to such mutually acceptable confidentiality agreement to be unreasonably withheld, will have the right to examine and audit, at all reasonable times, books, records and charts of the other Party to the extent necessary to verify or audit the accuracy of any statement, bill, chart, or computation within the twenty-four (24) Month period following the end of such calendar year in which the statement was tendered or made

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under or pursuant to this Agreement.  All audits will be conducted and resolved as provided in COPAS publication AG19. The audits shall not be conducted more than once a year.  This examination right will not be available with respect to any proprietary information or any information not directly relevant to transactions under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, if the results of such examination reveal a material inaccuracy in any statement, bill, chart or computation, either Party may dispute such statement, bill, chart or computation within twenty-four (24) Months from the date of such statement, bill, chart or computation; thereafter, such statement, bill, chart or computation is hereby deemed final, conclusive and binding as to both Parties.

Section 5.7 Information .  Gatherer and Producer will each preserve all books, records and charts applicable to this Agreement, including all test and measurement data and charts, for a period of at least twenty-four (24) Months following the end of each calendar year, or such longer periods as will be required under law or regulation.

ARTICLE 6
NOMINATIONS, Balancing AND SCHEDULING

Section 6.1 Submission .  Producer will submit nominations and changes thereto for Producer’s Products to the attention of the Scheduling Department of Gatherer in writing via Gatherer’s Electronic Bulletin Board (“ EBB ”), or when such EBB is unavailable, by fax, email or other electronic means designated by Gatherer.  

Section 6.2 Nominations .  Producer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to submit, or cause to be submitted, to Gatherer, a nomination no later than 9:00 a.m. (Central Prevailing Time), two (2) Business Days prior to the beginning of each Month, which nomination shall include the following for such Month:

(a) Producer’s name, contact name, email address and phone number;

(b) the contract number assigned by Gatherer, if previously provided by Gatherer to Producer;

(c) subject to Section 3.4 and Exhibit A , the daily quantity of Producer’s Oil and Producer’s Gas to be delivered by Producer at each Receipt Point;

(d) subject to Section 3.4 and Exhibit A , the daily quantity of Producer’s Oil and Producer’s Gas received by Gatherer at the Receipt Points to be delivered by Gatherer to each Delivery Point;

(e) the begin date for the nomination (not to be prior to the first Day of the Month in which Products would first flow under the nomination) and end date for the nomination (not to extend past the last Day of the Month in which Products would first flow under the nomination); and

(f) Producer’s contract numbers, if any, with upstream and downstream Persons from whom Producer’s Products will be received and to whom the Net Delivery Quantity will be delivered.

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Section 6.3 Daily Changes .  No later than 9:00 a.m. (Central Prevailing Time) on the Day before Producer’s Products are desired to flow, Producer may submit, or cause to be submitted, to Gatherer a change to the Monthly nomination made in accordance with Section 6.2 that includes the information set forth in Section 6.2(a) through Section 6.2(f) .  

Section 6.4 Nomination Requirements

(a) Notwithstanding Section 6.2 , Gatherer shall accept nominations received after the deadline for a given Month unless Gatherer is unable, in using commercially reasonable efforts, to accept such later nomination based on Gatherer’s operating conditions.  Producer is solely responsible for Monthly nominations at the Receipt Points and Delivery Points .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Gatherer will not be obligated to provide service under this Agreement on any Day for which Producer does not have a nomination of volumes in place pursuant to the procedures in this Agreement to the extent (i) that such volumes are or would be rejected by any Person receiving such volumes at the Delivery Point(s) or any point downstream thereof or (ii) Gatherer determines, in its sole reasonable discretion, that such volumes could cause damage to person or property.

(b) If required by Gatherer, Producer shall nominate according to the then effective NAESB standards and any additional downstream pipeline’s requirements.  Should Producer desire to change the nomination during such Month, such change to the nomination shall be made in accordance with the nomination procedures of the downstream pipeline.  Producer’s Products and water shall be delivered by Gatherer in accordance with confirmation by the downstream pipeline of the nomination and/or changes to the nomination.

Section 6.5 (Intentionally left blank)

Section 6.6 Imbalances

(a) Imbalance ” means the cumulative difference in a Month between (i) the Scheduled Quantity and (ii) the quantity of Producer’s Products actually delivered for the account of Producer at the Receipt Points .  Each Party will notify the other Party as soon as practicable when it becomes aware of an Imbalance in receipts or deliveries.  Gatherer will provide written, oral or electronic notification to Producer of any Imbalance in receipts and deliveries, and Gatherer and Producer will promptly make adjustments in receipts and deliveries as are consistent with Gatherer’s operating conditions in order to balance any Imbalance so shown.  Gatherer, if necessary in its commercially reasonable discretion and with notice to Producer, may initiate an operational flow order to protect its pipeline operations that limits receipts and deliveries and requires hourly and daily rates of flow to be uniform and in balance.  In such event, Gatherer may adjust Producer’s Scheduled Quantity to comply with the operational flow order.

(b) Imbalance Indemnity .  PRODUCER WILL RELEASE, PROTECT, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD GATHERER GROUP HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees)

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AGAINST GATHERER BY (I) ANY DOWNSTREAM PIPELINES, (II) ANY PARTY WITH CURTAILED CAPACITY, AND (III) ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY TO THE EXTENT (AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT) RESULTING FROM AND ATTRIBUTABLE TO IMBALANCES BETWEEN THE SCHEDULED QUANTITY AND THE VOLUMES ACTUALLY DELIVERED AT THE RECEIPT POINTS BY PRODUCER , EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES or liabilities ARE CAUSED BY THE gross NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF a member of the gatherer group .

(c) Safety .  If Producer delivers a quantity of Producer’s Products at the Receipt Points that results in delivery in excess of the Scheduled Quantity to be received by Producer at the Delivery Points and such Imbalance, as determined by Gatherer acting in its reasonable discretion, jeopardizes the safety of Gatherer’s operations or its ability to meet its contractual commitments to others, Gatherer has the right to (i) vent, in compliance with Applicable Law, without being held liable to Producer, all or such part of that excess quantity as Gatherer, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary; (ii) cease receipt of all or any portion of Producer’s Products at the Receipt Points if Gatherer, in its reasonable discretion, deems that action necessary; or (iii) cease delivery of all or any portion of the Net Delivery Quantity at the Delivery Points if Gatherer, in its reasonable discretion, deems that action necessary.  

Section 6.7 Balancing .  It is the intention of Gatherer and Producer that imbalances be minimal and incidental.  If an imbalance occurs in a Month, such imbalances shall be settled incident to the terms of a separate mutually agreed upon “Balancing Agreement”. Gatherer shall not be permitted to commingle Producer’s Oil or Producer’s Condensate with “Products” belonging to other producers unless or until such other producers have ratified the terms of the “Balancing Agreement” (with such additional terms as mutually agreed upon by Gatherer and Producer that may be appropriate to account for such other producers).

Section 6.8 Delivery to Transporters .  Gatherer shall not be required to load Producer’s Products for Producer’s account into trucks owned/operated by a transporter unless and until such transporter has been authorized by Gatherer to do so, such authorization not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Further, Gatherer shall not be responsible for balancing the delivery of Producer’s Products for Producer’s account between transporters or ensuring that one or more transporters do not take delivery of more or less Producer’s Products than such transporter is scheduled to take and receive.  With respect to this Section 6.8 and without duplication to Section 6.6, as between Producer and Gatherer, Producer will be fully responsible and liable for any claims and losses caused by, arising out of or resulting from any imbalances that may occur between transporters which are not Affiliates of Gatherer as a result of Gatherer’s loading of such Producer’s Products for Producer’s account at its direction, to the extent (and only to the extent) resulting from and attributable to imbalances between the Scheduled Quantity and the volumes actually delivered by or at the direction of Producer, and PRODUCER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS GATHERER GROUP FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES (OF WHATSOEVER NATURE WHETHER ARISING OUT OF CONTRACT, TORT OR STRICT LIABILITY, INCLUDING COURT COSTS AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) WITH RESPECT THERETO EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES OR LIABILITIES ARE CAUSED BY THE

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GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF THE GATHERER GROUP.

ARTICLE 7
POSSESSION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Section 7.1 Producer’s Control .  As between Producer and Gatherer, Producer shall be deemed to be in control and possession of all Products delivered under this Agreement (including all components contained therein and water therewith), until such Products are received by Gatherer at the designated Receipt Point (in accordance with this Agreement), and after the Net Delivery Quantity has been tendered for delivery by Gatherer for Producer’s account at the designated Delivery Point .  Producer will be fully responsible and liable for any and all such Products (including all components contained therein) and any and all loss, damages, claims, actions, expenses, liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, injury to and death of persons, property damage claims, or penalties for environmental damage, pollution, and contamination (i) while such Products are within Producer’s control and possession or (ii) arising from Producer’s operation of its facilities or the failure of Products tendered by Producer at the Receipt Points hereunder to meet the specifications set forth in Article 10 and PRODUCER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD GATHERER GROUP HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) WITH RESPECT THERETO, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF GATHERER GROUP .    

Section 7.2 Gatherer’s Control .  As between Gatherer and Producer, Gatherer will be in control and possession of Producer’s Products delivered under this Agreement (including all components contained therein and water therewith) from and after the time Producer’s Products are received by Gatherer at a Receipt Point until the Net Delivery Quantity is tendered for delivery at the designated Delivery Point .  Gatherer will be fully responsible and liable for any and all loss, damages, claims, actions, expenses, liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, injury to and death of persons, property damage claims, or penalties for environmental damage, pollution, or contamination, to the extent caused by or resulting from Gatherer’s handling of said Products while in its possession (expressly excluding matters related to non-specification Product, which is addressed in Section 10.1(b) and Section 10.4 , and FL&U, which is addressed in Section 17.1 ), and gatherer AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD PRODUCER GROUP HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) WITH RESPECT THERETO, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES or liabilities ARE

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CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF a member of producer group .

 

 

ARTICLE 8
TITLE, WARRANTY, TAXES AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Title, Warranty, Taxes and Indemnity .    

(a) Except as expressly provided for in this Agreement, title to the Producer’s Products and water delivered to Gatherer under this Agreement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the FL&U and Producer’s Condensate attributable to Producer’s Products) will remain with Producer or its customers at all times.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Dedicated Instruments and any agreements of Producer and/or its Affiliates related to indebtedness or otherwise entered into in the ordinary course of business, Producer warrants that it has the right to deliver Producer’s Products and water to Gatherer, and such Producer’s Products and water delivered to Gatherer (together with resulting FL&U and Producer’s Condensate) will, at all times while in Gatherer’s control pursuant to this Agreement , be free and clear of any and all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims of every kind that would have an adverse effect on Gatherer.  If the title to Products delivered by Producer hereunder is disputed or is the subject of any legal action, or if Gatherer becomes aware of a claim that Producer is not disbursing funds received hereunder to a party entitled thereto, Gatherer shall have the right to withhold payment (without interest), or cease receiving Producer’s Products to the extent of the interest or amount disputed or the subject of legal action, during the pendency of the action or until the funds or title, as applicable, are freed from the dispute, or until Producer furnishes, or causes to be furnished, indemnification and security to save Gatherer harmless from all claims arising out of the dispute or action, including penalties and interest, in a form reasonably acceptable to Gatherer.  Producer will pay all taxes levied on Products and water that Producer delivers to Gatherer at the Receipt Point(s), except, for the sake of clarity, income, gross receipt, net worth, capital stock or franchise taxes levied on or with respect to Gatherer and taxes levied on or with respect to the Gathering System.  PRODUCER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD GATHERER GROUP   HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL ROYALTIES, TAXES, PAYMENTS, LIENS, ENCUMBRANCES, SUITS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) ARISING FROM OR OUT OF ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS BY TAXING AUTHORITIES OR THIRD PARTIES CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF OR AN INTEREST IN PRODUCTS TENDERED BY PRODUCER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FL&U AND PRODUCER’S CONDENSATE CONTAINED THEREIN) OR FUNDS DERIVED THEREFROM , EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH ROYALTIES, TAXES, PAYMENTS, LIENS, ENCUMBRANCES, SUITS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND liabilities ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF a member of

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gatherer group .  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF OR BY PRODUCER, ARE DISCLAIMED.

(b) Gatherer warrants that the Net Delivery Quantity tendered for delivery to Producer at the Delivery Point(s) will be free and clear of any and all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims of every kind by, through and under Gatherer, but not otherwise.  Gatherer shall pay or cause to be paid all taxes levied on or with respect to the Gathering System.  GATHERER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD PRODUCER GROUP harmless FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL TAXES, PAYMENTS, LIENS, ENCUMBRANCES, SUITS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability AND including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) ON ACCOUNT OF ANY AND ALL TAXES, LIENS, ENCUMBRANCES AND ADVERSE CLAIMS BY, THROUGH AND UNDER GATHERER, BUT NOT OTHERWISE AND EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH TAXES, PAYMENTS, LIENS, ENCUMBRANCES, SUITS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, EXPENSES OR liabilities ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF PRODUCER GROUP.  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF OR BY GATHERER, ARE DISCLAIMED.

(c) Producer agrees to receive all payments for Producer’s Products sold by it , including payments due to working interest owners, royalty and overriding royalty owners, and holders of other burdens, and to disburse such payments to the parties legally entitled thereto in accordance with the provision of the leases or agreements creating the respective interests of such parties, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.  Producer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold gatherer group harmless from any and all LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in any way related to Gatherer’s disbursement of proceeds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including any amount attributable to an interest erroneously claimed by Producer and/or paid by Gatherer.     Producer shall notify Gatherer in writing of any future change in ownership or payment address and shall furnish Gatherer with recorded documentation with respect thereto.

(d) As a principal condition and consideration for the execution of this Agreement by Gatherer, Producer warrants and agrees that none of the Products, water, or constituents therewith tendered hereunder at the Receipt Points has, at the time of tender at the Receipt Points, has flowed, or is intended to flow, in interstate commerce.  In the event of failure of Producer’s warranty contained in this Section 8.1(d) , Gatherer, in addition to all other remedies under this Agreement, at law or in equity, shall have the right, at Gatherer’s election, upon delivery of written notice to

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Producer, to refuse receipt of the Products which have caused a breach of such warranty.  Gatherer’s election to refuse receipt of Products pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) shall not release Producer from liability to Gatherer for any losses sustained due to Producer’s breach and PRODUCER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD GATHERER GROUP harmless FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees)   ARISING FROM SUCH BREACH , EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES or liabilities ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF a member of gatherer group .  

Section 8.2 Substances Recovered in Pipeline .  All substances, whether or not of commercial value, of whatever nature (but excluding, for the sake of clarity, Producer’s Products, water, FL&U and Producer’s Condensate), which Gatherer recovers in the course of rendering the gathering and compression services, will be Gatherer’s sole property and hereby conveyed to Gatherer free and clear of any liens, claims, or other encumbrances.  Except for payments expressly due Producer hereunder, Gatherer will not be obligated to account to Producer for any value, whether or not realized by Gatherer, that may attach or be said to attach to such substances.

ARTICLE 9
TERM

Section 9.1 Term .  

(a) This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and remain in full force and effect until the 15th anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Primary Term ”).  No later than the date which is two (2) years prior to the expiration of the Primary Term or Renewal Term (as applicable), either Party may elect in writing (an “ Election Notice ”) to renew this Agreement beyond the then Primary Term or Renewal Term (as applicable) for an additional term of five (5) years thereafter (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) upon the same terms except with a Gathering and Processing Fee which is at the then prevailing market rate for comparable gathering systems in the South Texas producing region.  Upon either Party delivering an Election Notice, the other Party receiving such Election Notice has ninety (90) Days to notify the other Party of its acceptance or rejection of such renewal.  In the event the other Party receiving such Election Notice fails to respond within ninety (90) Days, such other Party shall be deemed to agree to such renewal.  Upon such agreement to renew, the Parties shall then negotiate in good faith such prevailing market rate for comparable gathering systems in the South Texas producing region and, if the Parties are unable to agree upon such rate by the date which is one (1) year and six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Primary Term or Renewal Term (as applicable), the determination of such rate will be resolved pursuant to arbitration as provided for in Section 15.2 .  The period of time that this Agreement remains in effect pursuant to this Section 9.1 is referred to as the “ Term ”.  This Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Term if neither Party elects to renew this Agreement or if one Party rejects an Election Notice pursuant to this Section 9.1(a) .  

(b) If at any time Gatherer solicits or negotiates offers to Transfer all or any portion of its ownership interest in the Gathering System to a ready, willing and able unaffiliated third party

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in a bona fide, arms-length transaction (a “ Transfer ”), Producer shall have a right of first refusal to purchase such assets from Gatherer (the “ Right of First Refusal ”).  For the avoidance of doubt, if Gatherer elects to sell a portion of the assets constituting the Gathering System but not the entire Gathering System, the Right of First Refusal shall apply only to the portion of the Gathering System assets which Gatherer elects to sell.  The Right of First Refusal will terminate in the event that Producer sells, transfers or assigns substantially all of the leases burdening lands within the Dedicated Acreage.

(c) Gatherer shall disclose all such final terms and conditions as are relevant to a Transfer of the Gathering System in a notice to Producer, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of all instruments establishing such terms and conditions.  Producer shall have the right to acquire the Gathering System assets subject to such proposed Transfer from Gatherer on the same final terms and conditions as were negotiated with the proposed transferee, if, within 30 days after Gatherer’s notice, Producer delivers to Gatherer a counter-notification that it accepts such terms and conditions (subject to the other provisions of this Section 9.1 , where applicable).  If Producer does not deliver such counter-notification within such time, such Transfer to the proposed transferee may, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions set forth in Section 2.6 and Article 13 , proceed without further notice under terms and conditions no more favorable to the transferee than those set forth in the notice to Producer; provided that such Transfer shall be concluded within 120 days from the date of the notice.  If such Transfer fails to be concluded within such period and the parties thereto desire thereafter to proceed with such proposed Transfer or the terms and conditions of such Transfer change to be more favorable to the transferee than those contained in the applicable notice to Producer, in each case, Gatherer shall be required to re-offer the assets subject to the Transfer to Producer in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 9.1 .

(d) In the event of a Transfer that is not a Cash Transfer or involves other properties included in a wider transaction (i.e., a package sale), Gatherer shall include in its notification to Producer a statement of the proposed Cash Value of the Gathering System assets involved in the Transfer, and Producer shall have a right to acquire such Gathering System assets on the same final terms and conditions as were negotiated with the proposed transferee except that it shall pay the Cash Value in immediately available funds at the closing of the Transfer in lieu of the consideration payable in the third party offer, and the terms and conditions of the applicable instruments shall be modified as necessary to reflect the acquisition of the applicable Gathering System assets (and no other properties) for cash.

(e) For purposes of Section 9.1(d) , the Cash Value proposed by Gatherer in its notice shall be conclusively deemed correct unless Producer gives notice to Gatherer within 30 days after receipt of Producer’s notice stating that it does not agree with the statement of the Cash Value, stating the Cash Value it believes is correct, and providing any supporting information that it believes is helpful.  In such event, the Parties shall have 15 days in which to attempt to negotiate an agreement on the applicable Cash Value.  If no agreement has been reached by the end of such 15 day period, either Party shall be entitled to refer the matter to an independent expert for determination of the Cash Value, provided that Gatherer may elect to terminate the proposed Transfer, and Producer may elect to revoke its notice of intention to purchase, in either case, by notice to the other Party at any time prior to the time that the independent expert is retained.  The Cash Value to be submitted to the independent expert by Gatherer shall be the Cash Value provided

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by Gatherer in the notice provided to Producer pursuant to Section 9.1(d) , and the Cash Value to be submitted to the independent expert by Producer shall be the Cash Value provided by Producer in the notice provided to Gatherer pursuant to this Section 9.1(e) .

(f) For any decision referred to an expert pursuant to Section 9.1(e) , the Parties hereby agree that such decision shall be conducted expeditiously by an expert selected unanimously by the Parties.  The expert is not an arbitrator of the dispute and shall not be deemed to be acting in an arbitral capacity.  The Party desiring an expert determination shall give the other Party written notice of the request for such determination.  If the Parties are unable to agree upon an expert within 10 days after receipt of the notice of request for an expert determination, then, upon the request of any of the Parties, the Houston, Texas office of the American Arbitration Association shall appoint such expert.  The expert, once appointed, shall have no ex parte communications with the Parties concerning the expert determination or the underlying dispute.  All communications between any Party and the expert shall be conducted in writing, with copies sent simultaneously to the other Party in the same manner, or at a meeting to which all Parties have been invited and of which such Parties have been provided at least five Business Days’ notice.  Within 15 days after the expert’s acceptance of its appointment, the Parties shall provide the expert with a report containing their proposal for the resolution of the matter and the reasons therefor, accompanied by all relevant supporting information and data.  Within 30 days after receipt of the above-described materials and after receipt of additional information or data as may be required by the expert, the expert shall select the proposal which it finds more consistent with the terms of this Agreement.  The expert may not propose alternate positions or award damages, interest or penalties to any Party with respect to any matter.  The expert’s decision shall be final and binding on the Parties.

ARTICLE 10
QUALITY AND MEASUREMENT

Section 10.1     Gas Quality Specifications

(a) Producer’s Gas received and delivered at each Receipt Point will meet the following quality specifications:  

(i) Hydrogen Sulfide - not to exceed 100 parts per million by volume;

(ii) Total Sulfur - including mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide, not to exceed one grain per one hundred Cubic Feet of Gas;

(iii) Carbon Dioxide - not to exceed 3% by volume;

(iv) Temperature - have a temperature of not less than forty degrees (40°) Fahrenheit and not more than one hundred twenty (120°) Fahrenheit;

(v) Nitrogen - not to exceed 1% by volume and total inert Gases not to exceed 3% by volume;

(vi) Other - not to contain any carbon monoxide, halogens or unsaturated hydrocarbons; and

 

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(vii) Hazardous Waste - not to contain hazardous waste as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

(b) If Producer delivers Gas not meeting the specifications set forth in Section 10.1(a) , Gatherer shall accept such non-specification Gas, provided that Gatherer is only required to accept such non-specification Gas to the extent (i) after separation, processing and stabilization pursuant and subject to the terms of Section 10.3 , such non-specification Gas will not be rejected by any Person receiving such Gas at the Delivery Point(s) or any point downstream thereof and (ii) Gatherer determines, in its sole reasonable discretion, that such non-specification Gas will not cause damage to person or property.  Subject to the foregoing and 0 , to the extent that Gatherer incurs out-of-pocket costs in connection with delivering Producer’s Gas not meeting the specifications set forth in this Section 10.1 to the Delivery Point(s) or any point downstream thereof (including without limitation, any downstream intrastate or interstate pipeline), Producer shall reimburse Gatherer for such out-of-pocket costs.

Section 10.2 Oil Quality Specifications  

(a) Producer’s   Oil received and delivered at each Receipt Point will meet the following quality specifications:

Constituent or Property

Limit

Sediment

Not more than 4.0% by volume

Temperature

Not more than 135°F

Hydrogen Sulfide

Not more than 100 ppm

Viscosity

Not to exceed 1.5 centistokes at 135°F

Total Sulphur

Not more than 0.3% by weight

Organic Chlorides

Not more than 1.5 ppm

Olefins

Not more than 0.5%

Mercaptans

Not more than 0.025% by weight

 

 

(b) If Producer delivers Oil not meeting the specifications set forth in Section 10.2(a) , Gatherer shall accept such non-specification Oil, provided that Gatherer is only required to accept such non-specification Oil to the extent (i) after separation, processing and stabilization pursuant and subject to the terms of Section 10.3 , such non-specification Oil will not be rejected by any Person receiving such Oil at the Delivery Point(s) or any point downstream thereof and (ii) Gatherer determines, in its sole reasonable discretion, that such non-specification Oil will not cause damage to person or property.  Subject to the foregoing and 0 , to the extent that Gatherer incurs out-of-pocket costs in connection with delivering Producer’s Oil not meeting the specifications set forth in this Section 10.2 to the Delivery Point(s) or any point downstream thereof (including without limitation, any downstream intrastate or interstate pipeline), Producer shall reimburse Gatherer for such out-of-pocket costs.

Section 10.3 Delivery Specifications .  Subject to Producer providing Products which satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 10.1 and Section 10.2 , Gatherer shall separate, process

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and stabilize Producer’s Products such that upon delivery at the Delivery Points such Producer’s Products meet the required quality specifications of the Person receiving such Producer’s Products under the applicable contract, agreement or arrangement between Producer and such Person (and Gatherer, as applicable).  Notwithstanding the immediately foregoing sentence, without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Gatherer shall not be required to comply with quality specifications that exceed more than a reasonable deviation from the most stringent quality specifications provided for in the contracts, agreements and arrangements of Producer for Producer’s Products as of the Effective Date.  Producer shall promptly notify Gatherer when it becomes aware of any change in required quality specifications under such contracts, agreements or arrangements.

 

Section 10.4 Indemnification for Non-Specification Products

(a) PRODUCER HEREBY INDEMNIFIES AND HOLDS GATHERER GROUP HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) ARISING FROM PRODUCER’S DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS WHICH FAIL TO MEET THE QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE 10 , EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES OR LIABILITIES ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF GATHERER GROUP.

(b) GATHERER HEREBY INDEMNIFIES AND HOLDS PRODUCER GROUP HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES AND liabilities ( of whatsoever nature whether arising out of contract, tort or strict liability, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, INJURY TO AND DEATH OF PERSONS, PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS, OR PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION) ARISING FROM GATHERER’S DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS WHICH FAIL TO MEET THE QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS OF SECTION 10.3 , EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, EXPENSES OR LIABILITIES ARE CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF A MEMBER OF PRODUCER GROUP.

Section 10.5 Additional Fees, Costs or Penalties .  Without duplication of Section 10.1(b) ,   10.2(b) and 10.4(a) , if a Person receiving Producer’s Products at or downstream of the Delivery Point(s) (including without limitation, any downstream intrastate or interstate pipeline) imposes additional fees, costs or penalties upon Gatherer for the receipt of non-specification Products, Gatherer may, in its sole discretion, assess such additional fees, costs or penalties upon any or all producers, including Producer, that contributed to such additional fees, costs or penalties by delivering non-specification Oil or Gas, on a pro rata basis.

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Section 10.6 Measurement and Allocation All measurement and allocation of Producer’s Products and water delivered by Producer at the Receipt Point(s) and Producer’s Condensate and water recovered and removed and Producer’s Products delivered by Gatherer at the Delivery Point(s) shall be performed by Gatherer. 

(a) Products received and delivered under this Agreement will be measured by metering facilities installed, operated and maintained by Gatherer or its designee.   Such measurement stations shall be equipped with orifice meters or ultrasonic flow measurement devices. Gatherer has the right, within its reasonable discretion, to install composite sampling devices and/or on line chromatographs.

(b) The measurement of Products at Receipt Points and Delivery Point(s) will be conducted in accordance with the following:

(i) Measurement under this Agreement will be based on the Unit of Volume.  The Unit of Volume shall be corrected for actual water vapor, at a pressure and temperature existing at the point of measurement, by applying industry accepted practices and procedures.  All quantities given herein, unless expressly stated, are in terms of such unit.  The average atmospheric pressure will be assumed to be fourteen and seventy three-hundredths (14.73) pounds per square inch, irrespective of the actual natural atmospheric pressure from time to time.  Whenever conditions of temperature and pressure differ from such standard, conversion of the volume of Gas from such conditions to the standard conditions will be made in accordance with the Ideal Gas Laws corrected for deviation of the Gas from Boyle’s Law in accordance with the methods and formulae prescribed in AGA Report No. 8 Compressibility Factors of Natural Gas and Other Hydrocarbon Gases , as last amended.

(ii) Measurement, both volumetric and thermal, will be computed in accordance with the latest publications of the AGA in AGA Report No. 3, Orifice Metering of Natural Gas ,   ANSI/API 2530, latest revision or AGA Report No. 9, Measurement of Gas by Multi-path Ultrasonic Meters .

(iii) The specific gravity of the Gas will be determined at the points of measurement by one of the following methods, selected in Gatherer’s reasonable discretion: (1) an online chromatograph, (2) continuous sampling, or (3) spot sampling.

(iv) The temperature when Gas is flowing, the factor for specific gravity according to the latest test therefor and the corrections for deviation from Boyle’s Law applicable during each metering period will be used to make proper computations of Gas volumes measured under this Agreement.

(v) At least annually, Gatherer will obtain a representative sample of the Gas at each point of measurement under this Agreement. The Gross Heating Value of Gas will, at Gatherer’s option, be determined at each point of measurement: (1) by an online chromatograph, (2) by continuous samples, or (3) by spot samples, taken by Gatherer or its nominee by application of the methods contained in API/GPA standards and in such amendments and revisions thereto and superseding reports thereof as recommended by the API/GPA committee. The Gross Heating

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Value shall be computed per GPA standard 2172, Calculation of Gross Heating Value, Relative Density, Compressibility and Theoretical Hydrocarbon Liquid Content for Natural Gas Mixtures for Custody Transfer , and converted to the condition specified in the definition of Unit of Volume.  If an analytical chromatograph is used, such analytical chromatograph is to be of a design and manufacture mutually agreeable to Producer and Gatherer.  The physical constants used in Btu computation for a perfect Gas will be derived from the “Table of Physical Constants of Paraffin Hydrocarbons and Other Compounds” as published in the GPA Standard 2145 and superseding revisions thereof.  The analysis will be complete and individual values in mol percent or fraction of each hydrocarbon compound will be listed through CH 6 .  The CH 6 + values will be as stated in GPA standard 2261, 7.3.6 Table IV (as may be revised from time to time) or, at Gatherer’s option, by use of an extended analysis.  The analysis will further include the mol fraction or percent individually of additional compounds contained in chromatographically measurable quantity contained in the sample.  The method to be used for chromatographic analysis will be that contained in GPA standard 2261, Analysis for Natural Gas and Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas Chromatography and any superseding revisions thereof.

(vi) At Gatherer’s reasonable discretion, other types of Btu per Cubic Foot measuring devices may be installed and operated, and the Gross Heating Value will be computed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for same and consistent with industry-accepted practices for transmission Btu per Cubic Foot measurement.

(vii) If any standards or methods for calculations or determinations set forth in any applicable GPA publications are revised, both Parties agree that this Agreement will be automatically amended accordingly.

(viii) Gatherer, or its designee, will install, own, operate and maintain, at Gatherer’s sole cost and expense, industry standard type measuring and testing equipment necessary to measure and test Products transported under this Agreement and will keep the same accurate and in good repair.  Any measurement equipment installed subsequent to the date of this Agreement shall meet the then most current industry standards.  At least annually, Gatherer will verify the accuracy of Gatherer’s measuring and testing equipment.  Data editing, calibrations, repairs and adjustments of Gatherer’s measuring and testing equipment will be done only by employees of Gatherer or its designated representatives.  Producer or its designated representative may, in the presence of an employee of Gatherer or Gatherer’s designated representative, have access to Gatherer’s measuring and analyzing equipment at any reasonable time, and shall be given prior notification of, and have the right to witness, all tests, calibrations and adjustments thereof.  All tests scheduled under this Agreement will be preceded by reasonable notice to Producer.  Upon the request of Producer for a special test of any meter or auxiliary equipment, Gatherer will promptly verify the accuracy of same; provided, however, that the cost of such special test will be borne by Producer, unless the percentage of inaccuracy found is more than 2% of a recording corresponding to the average hourly rate of Products flow.  If, upon any test, any measuring equipment is found to be inaccurate, such inaccuracy will be taken into account in a practical manner in computing the deliveries.  If the resultant aggregate inaccuracy in the computed receipts is not more than 2% of a recording corresponding to the average hourly rate of Products flow for the period since the last preceding test, previously calculated receipts will be deemed accurate.  All equipment will, in any case, be adjusted at the time of test to record accurately.  If, however, the resultant aggregate inaccuracy in computed receipts exceeds 2% of a recording corresponding to the average hourly

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rate of Products flow for the period since the last preceding test, the previous recordings of such equipment will be corrected to zero error for any period that is known definitely or mutually agreed upon.  If the period is not known definitely or mutually agreed upon, such correction will be for a period extending back the lesser of (i) one-half of the time elapsed since the date of the last test, or (ii) forty-five (45) Days.

(ix) If any meter or auxiliary equipment is out of service or out of repair for a period of time so that the amount of Products delivered cannot be ascertained or computed from the reading thereof, the Products delivered during such period will be estimated based on the best data available, using the first of the following methods that is feasible: (i) by using the registration of any check meter or meters, if installed and accurately registering, (ii) by correcting the error if the percentage of error is ascertainable by calibration tests or mathematical calculations, (iii) by estimating Products volumes on the basis of deliveries during the preceding periods under similar conditions when the equipment was registering accurately, or (iv) by other methods mutually acceptable to both Parties.

(x) Upon request of Producer and if an EFM is installed, Gatherer will provide an electronic measurement audit package that complies with API Chapter 21.1 Measurement to Producer for examination, the same to be returned within thirty (30) Days.  Gatherer’s measurement audit package for a given Month will be deemed correct if no written objection thereto is served on either Party by the other within the twelve-month period following such Month, but the same will be retained for a period of two (2) years.  If measurement is provided with a chart recorder, then Producer will be entitled to review the original measurement records at Gatherer’s premises during normal business hours.  In addition, if an EFM is installed, Gatherer shall allow Producer to connect to it and access all relevant data, provided such access does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the Gathering System or Gatherer’s equipment.

(xi) If it is determined prior to, or as a result of, in-service tests, experience and observation by either Producer or Gatherer that pulsations exist that affect the measurement accuracy, the operator of the facility or facilities agrees to install and operate mechanical dampening equipment necessary to eliminate such pulsations.

(xii) If at any time during the term of this Agreement a new method or technique is developed with respect to Products measurement or the determination of the factors used in such Products measurement, such new method or technique may be substituted for the method set forth in this Section 10.6 upon prior written consent of Producer, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Gatherer will notify Producer in writing of any such election prior to actually implementing such substitution.

(xiii) Producer may install, operate, and maintain (at its sole cost, risk and expense, but in the same manner as is required for Gatherer’s equipment hereunder) check measuring, metering and testing equipment of standard type; provided, that the same does not interfere with the operation of the Gathering System or Gatherer’s equipment.  Gatherer will have the same rights with respect to such check measuring, metering and testing equipment of Producer as are granted to Producer with respect to Gatherer’s measuring, metering and testing equipment.

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ARTICLE 11
FORCE MAJEURE

Section 11.1 Force Majeure .     Force Majeure ” means any blockades, insurrections, riots, strikes, lock outs, epidemics, flood, washouts, landslides, mudslides, earthquakes, storms, hurricanes and tropical storms or threat of such, extreme cold or freezing weather, lightning, restraint of rulers and peoples, civil disturbances, terrorist activities, explosions, maintenance (whether routine or non-routine, or scheduled or unscheduled) or breakage of or accidents to machinery, lines of pipe or any portion of the Gathering System, the failure of necessary downstream pipelines to take Oil or Gas under firm service or to install, repair or operate necessary facilities to receive Products, the order of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction (so long as the Party claiming suspension has not applied for or assisted in the application for, and has opposed where and to the extent reasonable, such order, and as long as such order is not the result of a failure by the claiming Party to comply with Applicable Law), or any other cause, whether of the kind in this Agreement enumerated or otherwise, not reasonably within the Control of the Party claiming suspension, not caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of that Party’s Group and which by the exercise of due diligence such Party is unable to prevent or overcome; provided that, and expressly subject to the foregoing limitations on claiming suspension and as may be otherwise provided for in this Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to Gatherer, the inability of Gatherer to perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement as a result of Gatherer’s operations pursuant to this Agreement violating (or being challenged as violating) any Dedicated Instrument shall constitute “Force Majeure” hereunder.

Section 11.2 Exclusions from Force Majeure “Force Majeure” specifically excludes the following occurrences or events: the loss, interruption, or curtailment of interruptible transportation on any pipeline necessary to make or take delivery of Oil or Gas under this Agreement (unless and to the extent such event also curtails firm service at the same point); the increase or decrease in supply of Oil or Gas; allocation or reallocation of production by well operators, pipelines, or other parties; loss of markets; loss of supply; depletion of Oil or Gas reserves; and with respect to Producer, termination or violation (or challenge as a violation) of any Dedicated Instrument shall not constitute “Force Majeure” hereunder unless such violation or termination (or challenge) is solely the result of an act or omission by the Gatherer Group that constitutes a failure by Gatherer to comply with the requirements of this Agreement (including, for the sake of clarity, Section 2.1 ) or is otherwise caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Gatherer Group.

Section 11.3 Performance Excused; Mitigation Duty .  In the event a Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by an event of Force Majeure, to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall be excused from performance under this Agreement and shall not be liable for any failure to perform (except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 11.3 ) during a Force Majeure event, and neither Gatherer nor Producer will be liable in damages to the other for any act, omission, or circumstances occasioned by or in consequence of such Force Majeure event ( except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 11.3 ), in each case, to the extent affected by such Force Majeure event .  Except as provided herein, the Party experiencing a Force Majeure event shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects of any Force Majeure e vent and to remedy any inability to perform its obligations hereunder due to such events as promptly as reasonably practicable.  It is understood and agreed that the settlement of strikes or

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lockouts shall be entirely with the discretion of the Party affected thereby, and that the above requirement that any Force Majeure shall be mitigated using commercially reasonable efforts shall not require the settlement of strikes or lockouts by acceding to the demands of the opposing party when such course is inadvisable in the sole discretion of the Party affected thereby.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.3 , no Party shall be excused from any indemnity obligation or any payment obligation for amounts due or becoming due under this Agreement by reason of this Section 11.3 , including Producer’s payment obligations with respect to Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil and the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas and Quarterly Deficiency Payments (subject to, for the sake of clarity, Sections 5.2(c) and (f) ) to the extent incurred after a Force Majeure event affecting Producer; provided, however , that Producer shall be excused from its payment obligations with respect to Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil and the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas and Quarterly Deficiency Payments to the extent such volumes were unable to be delivered due to a Force Majeure event affecting Gatherer.

 

Section 11.4 Notices .  If any Force Majeure e vent should occur, the Party adversely affected thereby shall promptly give notice thereof to the other Party.  Such notice shall: (i) state the date that the Force Majeure event began, (ii) describe the Force Majeure event, (iii) describe the proposed actions to mitigate or cure the Force Majeure event and (iv) provide an estimate of the date the condition of Force Majeure shall cease.

Section 11.5 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Quantity .  If Producer’s ability to deliver Producer’s Products to Gatherer, or Gatherer’s ability to receive Producer’s Product from Producer, is curtailed as a result of a Force Majeure event affecting Gatherer, other curtailment pursuant to Section 3.5 (excluding Section 3.5(iii) ) or Section 3.6 or other Gathering System failure, during the period in which such Force Majeure event, other curtailment or other Gathering System failure continues, (i) then the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Oil or the Minimum Quarterly Quantity of Gas, as applicable, will be reduced by the amount of such curtailment and (ii) Producer may deliver such curtailed Product to third parties for transportation.

ARTICLE 12
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

Section 12.1 Gatherer’s General Representations and Warranties .  Gatherer represents and warrants to Producer as follows:

(a) Gatherer is a limited liability company formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware ;

(b) Gatherer has all requisite   limited liability company power and authority to enter into this Agreement on the terms described herein and to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each and every agreement or document to be executed and delivered hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not violate, nor be in conflict with, any provision of any constituent documents of Gatherer; and

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(d) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Gatherer and all documents required hereunder to be executed and delivered by Gatherer have been duly executed and delivered and this Agreement and such documents constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Gatherer enforceable in accordance with their respective terms , subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity .

Section 12.2 Producer’s Representations and Warranties .  Producer represents and warrants to Gatherer as follows:

(a) Producer is a limited liability company formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware ;

(b) Producer has all   requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into this Agreement on the terms described herein and to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

(c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each and every agreement or document to be executed and delivered hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not violate, nor be in conflict with, any provision of any constituent documents of Producer; and

(d) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Producer and all documents required hereunder to be executed and delivered by Producer have been duly executed and delivered and this Agreement and such documents constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Producer enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

ARTICLE 13
ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement, including, without limitation, any and all renewals, extensions, amendments and/or supplements hereto, will run with the land and will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties hereto, provided that n either Party may assign or otherwise convey all or any portion of its right, title, or interest under this Agreement without obtaining the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, and any attempts to assign without such consent will be void . Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) either Party   may assign this Agreement to an Affiliate of such Party without the consent of the other Party, (ii) either Party may pledge this Agreement to secure any credit facility or indebtedness of such Party or its Affiliates without the consent of the other Party, (iii) Gatherer may assign this Agreement without Producer’s consent in connection with the sale or transfer of the Gathering System, and (iv) Producer may assign or partially assign this Agreement without Gatherer’s consent in connection with the sale or transfer

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of all or part of the Dedicated Acreage.  If any transfer of this Agreement occurs, (a) the transferee (other than any grantee under any lien, pledge, encumbrance or security interest) shall assume in writing the obligations and liabilities of the transferor under this Agreement (the “ Assumed Obligations ”); (b) in the case of transfers under clause (iv) above, the transferor shall be released from its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement to the extent of the Assumed Obligations if such assignee has a credit rating equal to or higher than Producer’s at the time of such sale or transfer, provided that Gatherer’s combined obligations to Producer and to any partial transferee of Producer are no greater than Producer’s obligations prior to such transfer; and (c) no transfer or succession to the interest of Producer hereunder, wholly or partially, shall affect or bind Gatherer until the first of the month following the date Gatherer has received a copy of the recorded transfer document or other proof satisfactory to Gatherer that the claimant is legally entitled to such interest .  

 

 

 

ARTICLE 14
DEFAULT; REMEDIES

Section 14.1 Default .  The following shall constitute events of “ Default   under this Agreement by Producer or Gatherer, as applicable:

(a) if such Party fails to pay any amount due to the other Party when the same is due,  and such Party’s account remains delinquent beyond a twenty (20) Day period, exclusive of any amounts subject to a good faith dispute pursuant to Section 5.5 ;  

(b) if such Party experiences an Insolvency Event;

(c) if such Party is in material breach of this Agreement (other than for failure to pay amounts due, which is addressed in Section 14.1(a )), and that breach is not cured within forty-five (45) Days after receipt by such Party of written notice from the other Party asserting such breach.

Section 14.2 Remedies .     If a Party is in Default, the non-Defaulting Party may, in addition and without prejudice to any other remedies such non-Defaulting Party may have under this Agreement or at law or in equity, suspend all performance under this Agreement and/or terminate this Agreement, in each case upon ten (10) Days written notice.

ARTICLE 15
CHOICE OF LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION; JURISDICTION; VENUE

Section 15.1 Choice of Law . This Agreement will be interpreted, construed, and governed by the laws of the state of Texas, without reference to conflicts of law principles thereof that might apply the laws of another jurisdiction.

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Section 15.2 Dispute Resolution . The Parties desire to resolve any disputes related to this Agreement that may arise by mutual agreement, if possible.  All disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement that are not resolved by mutual agreement of the Parties shall be resolved using the provisions of this Section 15.2 .

(a) If a dispute or disputes arise out of or relating to this Agreement, a Party shall give notice of the dispute(s) to the other Party, and each Party will appoint an employee to negotiate with the other Party concerning the dispute(s).  If the dispute(s) have not been resolved by negotiation within thirty (30) Days of the initial dispute notice, the dispute(s) shall be exclusively and finally resolved by binding arbitration in Houston, Texas in accordance with the then current Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“ Rules ”) and this Section 15.2

(b) The arbitration shall be governed by the Rules, to the exclusion of any provision of state law inconsistent with them.  The arbitration shall be initiated by a Party seeking arbitration by notice transmitted to the other Party or Parties to be involved.

(c) The Parties shall select one disinterested arbitrator with at least 10 years’ experience in the midstream oil and gas industry and ten (10) years’ experience with oil and gas law, and not previously employed by either Party or its Affiliates, and, if possible, shall be selected by agreement between the Parties.  If the Parties cannot select an arbitrator by agreement within fifteen (15) Days of the date of the notice of arbitration, a qualified arbitrator will be selected in accordance with the Rules.

(d) If the dispute(s) involves an amount greater than $150,000, the dispute(s) will be decided by a panel of three arbitrators with the above qualifications, one selected by each Party, and the third selected by the Party-appointed arbitrators, or in the absence of their agreement, pursuant to the Rules.

(e) The arbitrator(s) shall resolve the disputes and render a final award in accordance with the substantive law of the state of Texas. 

(f) If arbitration is necessary to resolve a dispute, the arbitral tribunal is authorized to award costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees or allocate them between the Parties, and the costs of the arbitration proceedings, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, shall be borne in the manner determined by the arbitral tribunal.

(g) The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on both Parties and shall set forth the reasons for the award in writing, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

ARTICLE 16
NOTICES

Section 16.1 Notices .  Any notice, request, demand, statement, bill, payment or other communication provided for in this Agreement or any notice which any Party may desire to give

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to the other, will be in writing and will be considered as duly delivered if delivered by mail, commercial courier, facsimile or personally, to the address or facsimile numbers of the applicable Parties, and to the attention of their respective contact persons, as follows:

Gatherer:   Catarina Midstream, LLC

c/o Sanchez Production Partners LP

1000 Main, Suite 3000
Houston, TX 77002

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Fax: (832) 308 - 3720

 

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas  77002

Attention:  C. Timothy Fenn

Fax:  (713) 546 - 5401

Producer: SN Catarina, LLC

c/o Sanchez Energy Corporation

1000 Main, Suite 3000
Houston, Texas  77002

Attn:  President

Fax: (713) 756 - 2784

 

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

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

1111 Louisiana St., 44th Floor

Houston, Texas  77002

Attention:  David Elder

Fax:  (713) 236 - 0822

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing of this Section 16.1 ¸ statements, bills and invoices may be delivered via email or other electronic means as may be agreed to between the Parties and nominations and changes thereto may be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 .  Either Party may at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other Party designate different persons or addresses for notice.

Notices will be deemed received:  (a) if sent by first class mail, three (3) Business Days after the postmark date when properly addressed and deposited in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid; (b) if sent by facsimile, upon the sending Party’s receipt of its facsimile machine’s confirmation of successful transmission, provided that if the Day on which such facsimile is sent is not a Business Day or is after 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the receiving Party’s jurisdiction, then such facsimile will be deemed to have been delivered on the next Business Day; (c) if sent by commercial courier, upon the date of actual delivery as evidenced by the recipient’s written acknowledgment of receipt; and (d) if delivered personally, upon the date of actual delivery .

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ARTICLE 17
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 17.1 FL&U Limitation If the quantity under clause (i) of the definition of “FL&U”, above, exceeds 3% of the Products as compared between the Receipt Points and the Delivery Points pursuant to Section 10.6 for a period of sixty consecutive (60) days, Producer may cause the Parties to retain a mutually agreeable third party to review the Gathering System’s operation and measurement to determine the cause of such loss.  If, as a result of such third party review, it is determined that the loss is attributable to Gatherer’s measurement and/or operation of the Gathering System not being in accordance with standard industry practice, Gatherer shall reimburse to Producer a dollar amount equal to the quantity under clause (i) in excess of 3% of the Products for such consecutive sixty (60) day period multiplied by the actual average daily price received by Producer for the Products during such sixty (60) day period and Gatherer shall pay for the third party review.  Otherwise, such third party review will be paid for by Producer.

 

Section 17.2 Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, and delivered by facsimile or other electronic means, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original, and such counterparts together will constitute one instrument.

Section 17.3 Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, including the Exhibits referenced in and attached to this Agreement, contains the entire agreement of Gatherer and Producer with respect to the matters addressed in this Agreement and will be amended only by an instrument in writing signed by both Parties.  The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement will be deemed and considered for all purposes as prepared through the joint efforts of the Parties and will not be construed against a Party as a result of the preparation, submittal, negotiation or drafting of this Agreement.

Section 17.4 Mutual Waiver of Certain Remedies .  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, OTHER THAN REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COURT COSTS , IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY, ANY SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OR ANY BENEFICIARY OR ASSIGNEE OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOST OR DELAYED PRODUCTION OR LOST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, OR FOR BUSINESS LOSSES OR FOR ECONOMIC LOSSES OF THE OTHER PARTY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY BREACH HEREOF.  THIS SECTION 17.4 WILL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTY WHOSE LIABILITY IS WAIVED BY THIS PROVISION, OR ANY OTHER EVENT OR CONDITION, WHETHER ANTICIPATED OR UNANTICIPATED, AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER PRE-EXISTING PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 17.5 Confidentiality Gatherer and Producer, and their respective employees, agents, officers, directors, Affiliates and attorneys, will keep the terms of this Agreement confidential.  It is understood and agreed upon that disclosure of the terms of this Agreement to any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement could result in damage to the non-disclosing Party

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for which the disclosing Party may be held liable. However, either Party may disclose the terms of this Agreement, without prior permission of the other Party, to the following Persons (“ Representatives ”) in the following circumstances:

(a) to the extent disclosures may be reasonably required to effectuate performance of this Agreement or the construction or operation of the Gathering System;

(b) to any potential contractors or professional consultants or advisers engaged by or on behalf of such Party and acting in that capacity where such disclosure is essential to such Representative’s work;

(c) to financial institutions and other financing sources requiring such disclosure in connection with making, continuing or renewing a loan or making an investment in such Party or its Affiliates;

(d) as required by regulatory bodies, including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange to which such Party or its Affiliates are subject, taxing authorities with jurisdiction over part or all of the subject matter of this Agreement and to other Persons to whom disclosure is required by such regulatory bodies;

(e) to courts or other tribunals having jurisdiction and requiring such disclosure, and to other Persons to whom disclosure is required by such courts or other tribunals;

(f) to current or prospective investors, partners, joint venture participants or purchasers of the assets or equity of either Party and their Affiliates;

(g) to independent certified public accountants for purposes of obtaining a financial audit;

(h) as required by subpoena or other legal discovery processes , or Applicable Law; and

(i) in connection with the exercise of remedies hereunder.

Section 17.6 Consent to Disconnection .  If this Agreement terminates for any reason whatsoever, Producer hereby consents and agrees that, in the event Producer does not exercise the Right of First Refusal and the thirty (30) Day period provided for in Section 9.1(b) has lapsed, Gatherer shall be entitled to disconnect, at its sole cost and expense, any wells, leases, pipeline connections or other facilities utilized by Producer that deliver Producer’s Products at the Receipt Points under this Agreement after ten (10) Days prior written notice.  “ Disconnect ” for the purposes of this Section 17.6 means to remove metering facilities, pipelines and any other interconnection facilities through which Producer’s Products was delivered under this Agreement that are either owned by Gatherer, or owned by the pipeline with which Gatherer contracted for the gathering or transportation services at the Delivery Point(s).  This consent and agreement by Producer in this paragraph applies to both Gatherer and Gatherer’s Affiliates, without distinction, and is intended in all respects to satisfy the laws, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction.

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Section 17.7 Governmental Regulations; Change in Regulations

(a) This Agreement will be subject to all valid applicable state, local and federal laws, orders, directives, rules and regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over this Agreement and the gathering and delivery of Producer’s Products under this Agreement.

(b) If the operating (fixed or variable) costs of the Gathering System change as a result of a Change in Law (including any Change in Law with respect to Emissions), Gatherer may charge Producer (and Producer shall pay) an additional fee hereunder to reimburse Gatherer for such increase in costs.  The amount of such fee shall be equal to the sum of the total capital costs of equipment or facilities installed by Gatherer (prorated over the useful life of such equipment and/or facilities and across the total volumes utilizing such equipment and/or facilities), the operating costs incurred in response to such change (including reasonable overhead) and a rate of return equal to Gatherer’s weighted average cost of capital, plus 5% .  Gatherer will submit to Producer a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for and the calculation of such fee.

 

 

Section 17.8 No Waiver .     No waiver by either Party of any default of the other Party under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of any future default, whether of a like or different character or nature.

Section 17.9 Survival

.  The provisions of Section 17.5 will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year. The respective indemnification obligations of the Parties set forth in this Agreement and the provisions of clause (2) of Section 2.1 ,   0 -(f) and Section 17.4 will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.  Any expiration or termination of this Agreement will not relieve Gatherer or Producer of any accrued obligations to pay monies due, if any, to the other Party or any obligations to settle any Imbalances due, if any, to the other Party or a Party receiving Producer’s Products dedicated hereunder, or any other obligations incurred or accrued before any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

Section 17.10 Severability; Underlying Agreements; Mitigation .  If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable because it is contrary to Applicable Law or, if complied with or performed, would result in any breach or other violation of any Dedicated Instrument or otherwise conflicts with any Dedicated Instrument, all other provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect, and the Parties hereby agree to amend this Agreement (and/or enter into other mutually acceptable agreements or arrangements) to the extent necessary to effect the original intent of the Parties and maintain the Parties’ relative economic burdens and benefits, as closely as possible.  Without limiting the foregoing, e ach Party shall take all reasonable steps, and shall reasonably cooperate with the other Party in good faith, to mitigate damages in respect of any claim under this Agreement for which it or another member of its Group is seeking indemnification and shall use reasonable efforts to avoid any costs or expenses associated with such claim and, if such costs and expenses cannot be avoided, to minimize the amount thereof.  Further, no Party shall take nor fail to take any action, which action

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or inaction induces, incentivizes or otherwise is reasonably likely to lead a third party to make a claim against a member of the other Party’s Group for which it seeks indemnification under this Agreement.  Additionally, if any provision of this Agreement or the PSA, if complied with or performed, would result (or has resulted) in any breach or other violation (or is being challenged as a breach or other violation) of any Dedicated Instrument, otherwise conflicts (or is being challenged as conflicting) with any Dedicated Instrument, or would otherwise give (or has otherwise given) rise to a claim under this Agreement or the PSA as a result of such a breach or other violation or conflict (or challenge) with respect to any Dedicated Instrument, each Party shall take all reasonable steps, and shall reasonably cooperate with the other Party in good faith, to mitigate damages with respect to such a breach or other violation or conflict (or challenge) and to amend this Agreement and/or the PSA (and/or enter into other mutually acceptable agreements or arrangements) to the extent necessary to effect the original intent of the Parties and maintain the Parties’ relative economic burdens and benefits, as closely as possible.

Section 17.11 Integrated Transaction .  Gatherer and Producer intend and agree that this Agreement and all Exhibits hereto and the recorded memorandum required hereby constitute and are a single integrated transaction and such documents contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this single, indivisible contract as of the Effective Date; and there are no prior agreements, understandings, representations, or warranties between the Parties, other than those set forth or referred to in such integrated transaction documents. If a Party becomes the debtor in a case filed under any bankruptcy law at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, such Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) for the purposes of assumption or rejection as an executory contract pursuant to the provisions of 11 U.S.C. §§101, et seq. (as may be amended from time to time) or other Applicable Law, this Agreement and any amendments hereto must be assumed in their entirety as a single, integrated contract and (ii) any failure by it to perform its obligations under the single, integrated contract will seriously prejudice the rights and interests of the other Party due to, among other factors, the risk of loss of oil, Products and other mineral production, proceeds and interests that would have a material adverse effect on the other Party and the value of its property interests, contractual rights, and business operations. 

( Signatures Follow on Next Page)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been executed by the Parties as of the date first written above.

 

 

GATHERER:

 

Catarina Midstream, LLC

 

 

 

By: /s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name: Charles C. Ward

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

PRODUCER:

 

SN Catarina, LLC

 

 

 

By: /s/ G. Gleeson Van Riet

 

Name: G. Gleeson Van Riet

Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Signature Page to Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement


 

 

 


BOARD REPRESENTATION AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT

This   BOARD REPRESENTATION AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT, dated as of October 14 , 2015 (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into by and among Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), Sanchez Production Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ” and,  together with the General Partner, the “ Sanchez Entities ”), and Stonepeak Catarina Holdings LLC ( the “ Purchaser ”).  The Sanchez Entities and the Purchaser are herein referred to as the “ Parties .”  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Class B Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 25 , 2015, by and between the Partnership and the Purchaser (the “ Purchase Agreement ”).

Recitals

WHEREAS, pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Purchase Agreement, the Partnership has agreed to issue and sell Class B Preferred Units (“ Preferred Units ”) to the Purchaser;

WHEREAS, to induce the Parties to enter into the transactions evidenced by the Purchase Agreement, each of the Parties is required to deliver this Agreement, duly executed by each of the Parties, contemporaneously with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with or prior to the Closing, the General Partner executed and delivered the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “ Partnership Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, the Purchaser’s investment in the Partnership pursuant to the Purchase Agreement is expected to benefit the Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Purchaser will receive valuable consideration as a result of the investment in the Partnership pursuant to the Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, the General Partner, in its individual capacity and in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, has determined it to be in the best interests of Partnership to provide the Purchaser with certain designation rights and obligations in respect of the board of directors of the General Partner (or such other governing body thereof) (the “ Board ”), pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Purchaser is willing to provide the Sanchez Entities with certain standstill rights, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

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


 

Agreement

Section 1. Board Designation Rights .

(a) Each of the Sanchez Entities shall take all actions necessary or advisable to cause (i) two directors serving on the Board to be designated by the Purchaser, in its sole discretion (each, a “ Purchaser Designated Director ”), at all times from the date of this Agreement until the occurrence of (A) the First Designation Right Termination Event (as defined below), at which time the right of the Purchaser under this Agreement to designate one member of such Board shall terminate and (B) the Second Designation Right Termination Event (as defined below), at which time the right of the Purchaser under this Agreement to designate one member of such Board shall terminate and (ii) three independent directors serving on the Board to be designated by the Purchaser, in its sole discretion (each director designated by the Purchaser pursuant to this Section 1(a), a “ Purchaser Designated Director ”), at all times during the Redemption Designation Period (as defined below); provided, however , that each such Purchaser Designated Director shall (1) in the reasonable judgment of the General Partner, have the requisite skill and experience to serve as a director of a public company, (2) not be prohibited or disqualified from serving as a director of the General Partner by any rule or regulation of the Commission, the National Securities Exchange (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) on which the Common Units are listed or applicable Law and (3) otherwise be reasonably acceptable to the General Partner.  Prior to a Designation Right Termination Event (as defined below) or during the Redemption Designation Period, any Purchaser Designated Director may be removed by the Purchaser at any time and may be removed by a majority of the other directors then serving on the Board for “cause” (as defined below); and any vacancy in such positions shall be filled solely by the Purchaser.  As used herein, “cause” means that a Purchaser Designated Director (w) is prohibited from serving as a director of the General Partner under any rule or regulation of the Commission or the National Securities Exchange (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) on which the Common Units are listed; (x) has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (y) has engaged in acts or omissions against the General Partner or the Partnership constituting dishonesty, breach of fiduciary obligation, or intentional wrongdoing or misfeasance; or (z) has acted intentionally or in bad faith in a manner that results in a material detriment to the assets, business or prospects of the General Partner or the Partnership.  None of the Sanchez Entities shall take any action which would, or would be reasonably likely to, adversely affect the Purchaser’s right to appoint Purchaser Designated Directors; provided, however , that the Sanchez Entities shall not be prohibited from taking such action that the Board determines is necessary to comply with any rule or regulation of the Commission or the National Securities Exchange (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) on which the Common Units are listed or applicable Law.  

(b) Prior to the occurrence of a Designation Right Termination Event, the General Partner shall invite the Purchaser Designated Directors to attend all meetings of each committee of the Board (other than the Audit Committee, the Conflicts Committee, any pricing committee established for an offering of securities by the Partnership and any committee established to deal with conflicts with the Purchaser or its Affiliates) in a nonvoting observer capacity and, in this respect, shall give the Purchaser Designated Directors copies of all notices, minutes, consents and other materials that it provides to the other members of such committee; provided, however , that during the Redemption Designation Period, the Purchaser Designated Directors designated pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 1(a) shall serve on all committees of the Board in a voting capacity.

(c) Commencing as of the Closing, the Purchaser Designated Directors are Jack Howell and Luke Taylor.

(d) Any action by the Purchaser to designate, remove or replace a Purchaser Designated Director shall be evidenced in writing and furnished to the General Partner no later than one Business Day after the taking of such action, shall include a statement that the action has been approved by the requisite vote of the Purchaser and shall be executed by or on behalf of the Purchaser.  The Purchaser agrees to cause each Purchaser Designated Director to timely provide the Partnership with accurate and complete information relating to the Purchaser and such Purchaser Designated Director that may be required to be disclosed by the Partnership under the Exchange Act.  In addition, at the Partnership’s reasonable request, the Purchaser shall cause each Purchaser Designated Director to complete and execute the Partnership’s standard director and officer questionnaire prior to being admitted to the Board.


 

(e) Upon the occurrence of a Designation Right Termination Event or the end of the Redemption Designation Period, as applicable, the right of the Purchaser to designate a Purchaser Designated Director shall terminate and the Purchaser Designated Director then serving as such a member of the Board, promptly upon (and in any event within two Business Days following) receipt of a request from a majority of the other director(s) then serving on the Board or the owner(s) of a majority of the equity interests of the General Partner, shall resign as a member of the Board.  If the Purchaser Designated Director does not resign upon such request, then a majority of the other director(s) then serving on the Board or the owner(s) of a majority of the equity interests of the General Partner, may remove the Purchaser Designated Director as a member of the Board.

(f) For the purposes of this Agreement, the “ First Designation Right Termination Event ” shall occur on the date on which the Purchaser and its Affiliates hold fewer than 25% of the number of Class B Preferred Units initially issued to the Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, as adjusted for any subdivisions, splits, reverse unit splits, reclassification, reorganization or other similar transaction by the Partnership affecting the Class B Preferred Units.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the “ Second Designation Right Termination Event ” shall occur on the date on which Purchaser and its Affiliates no longer hold any Class B Preferred Units.  Each of the First Designation Right Termination Event and the Second Designation Right Termination Event are referred to herein as a “ Designation Right Termination Event .” For the purposes of this Agreement, the “ Redemption Designation Period ” shall commence on January 1, 2022 if any Class B Preferred Units remain outstanding on such date and shall continue until the date on which all Class B Preferred Units have been redeemed pursuant to the provisions of the Partnership Agreement or have been converted into Common Units.

Section 2. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification; Business Opportunities

(a) At all times while each Purchaser Designated Director is serving as a member of the Board , and following any such Purchaser Designated Director’s death, resignation, removal or other cessation as a director in such former Purchaser Designated Director’s capacity as a former director, such Purchaser Designated Director shall be entitled to (i) the same modification and restriction of traditional fiduciary duties, (ii) the same safe harbors for resolving conflicts of interest transactions and (iii) all rights to indemnification and exculpation, in each case, as are then made available to any other member of the Board .

(b) At all times while each Purchaser Designated Director is serving as a member of the Board, such Purchaser Designated Director, the Purchaser and their respective Affiliates may engage in, possess an interest in, or trade in the securities of, other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Sanchez Entities, and the Sanchez Entities, the Board and their Affiliates shall have no rights by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Sanchez Entities, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper.  None of the Purchaser Designated Directors, the Purchaser or their respective Affiliates shall be obligated to present any investment opportunity to the Sanchez Entities even if such opportunity is of a character that the Sanchez Entities or any of their respective Affiliates might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each of the Purchaser Designated Directors, the Purchaser and their respective Affiliates shall have the right to take for such Person’s own account (individually or as a partner, fiduciary or otherwise) or to recommend to others any such investment opportunity.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser shall cause each Purchaser Designated Director to maintain the confidentiality of all information and proceedings of the Board.

(c) The Sanchez Entities shall purchase and maintain (or reimburse each Purchaser Designated Director for the cost of) insurance (“ D&O Insurance ”), on behalf of such Purchaser Designated Director, in an amount and scope of coverage commensurate with that provided to an independent member of the Board, with respect to liabilities that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Purchaser Designated Director in connection with the Sanchez Entities’ activities or such Purchaser Designated Director’s activities on behalf of the Sanchez Entities, regardless of whether the Sanchez Entities would have the power to indemnify such Purchaser Designated Director against such liability under the provisions of the Partnership Agreement or the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, as amended (the “ GP LLC Agreement ”).


 

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, each Purchaser Designated Director shall constitute an “Indemnitee,” as such term is defined under the Partnership Agreement and the GP LLC Agreement.

Section 3. Standstill .

(a) During the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (x) March 31, 2019 and (y) the date on which the Permitted Holders (as defined below), collectively, cease to own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests of the General Partner or cease to control (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate” contained in the Partnership Agreement), directly or indirectly, the General Partner, without the prior written consent of the Board (provided that such consent shall not be required in the event of fraud or gross negligence on the part of the Partnership or the General Partner), the Purchaser shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly (whether with respect to the General Partner, the Partnership or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof):

(i) acquire beneficial ownership of additional Common Units, Class A Preferred Units, Class B Preferred Units or other Partnership Interests (as defined in the Partnership Agreement);

(ii) acquire any debt or assets of the Partnership or its Subsidiaries;

(iii) engage in any hostile or takeover activities with respect to the Partnership or the General Partner (including by means of a tender offer or soliciting proxies or written consents for purposes of any hostile or takeover activities, other than as recommended by the Board), including any merger, consolidation, recapitalization, business combination, partnership, joint venture, acquisition or similar transaction involving the Partnership or the General Partner or any of their Affiliates or their properties (excluding Sanchez Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries and its and their properties);

(iv) enter into any transaction the effect of which would be to “short” any securities of the Partnership;

(v) form, join or participate in a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates in respect of any action otherwise prohibited pursuant to this Section 3(a);

(vi) call (or participate in a group calling of) a meeting of the limited partners of the Partnership for the purpose of removing (or approving the removal of) the General Partner as the general partner of the Partnership and/or electing a successor general partner of the Partnership;

(vii) “solicit” any “proxies” (as such terms are used in the rules and regulations of the Commission) or votes for or in support of (A) the removal of the General Partner as the general partner of the Partnership or (B) the election of any successor general partner of the Partnersh ip, or take any action the direct effect or purpose of which would be to induce limited partners of the Partnership to vote or provide proxies that may be voted in favor of any action contemplated by either of sub-clauses (A) or (B) o f this Section 3(a)(vii);

(viii) seek to advise or influence any person (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) with respect to the voting of any Partnership Interest in connection with the removal (or approving the removal) of the General Partner as the general partner of the Partnership and/or the election of a successor general partner of the Partnership;

(ix) issue, induce or assist in the publication of any press release, media report or other publication in connection with the potential or proposed removal of the


 

General Partner as the general partner of the Partnership and/or the election of a successor general partner of the Partnership;

(x) propose to remove Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC as the general partner of the Partnership or vote to remove Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC as the general partner of the Partnership;

(xi) advise, assist or encourage any third party to do any of the foregoing; or

(xii) if the General Partner is removed as the general partner of the Partnership, participate in any way in the management, ownership and/or control of the successor general partner or the successor general partner’s operation of the Partnership, other than participation by any Purchaser Designated Director, as described in Section 1 of this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the foregoing shall not in any way limit the right of the Purchaser or its Affiliates to:

(i) privately communicate with, including making any offer or proposal to, the Board, directly or through any Purchaser Designated Director;

(ii) to the extent permitted by the Partnership Agreement, vote Partnership Interests in the Partnership at any meeting of limited partners of the Partnership so long as there has been no breach of Section 3(a) of this Agreement;

(iii) restrict the manner in which any Purchaser Designated Director (A) may vote on any matter submitted to the Board, (B) participate in deliberations or discussions of the Board (including making suggestions or raising issues to the Board) in his or her capacity as a member of the Board, or (C) may take actions required by his or her exercise of legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board or refrain from taking any action prohibited by his or her legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board;

(iv) restrict the Purchaser or its Affiliates from selling or transferring any of their Partnership Interests, subject to any restrictions relating thereto contained in the Partnership Agreement; or

(v) restrict the Purchaser or its Affiliates from receiving any (A) Class B Preferred PIK Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) as distributions on Class B Preferred Units pursuant to the Partnership Agreement or (B) Partnership Interests pursuant to a unit split, reverse unit split, reclassification, reorganization or other transaction by the Partnership affecting any class of Partnership Interests generally or a dividend of units or other pro rata distribution by the Partnership to holders of Partnership Interests.

(c) No Purchaser Designated Director shall be limited in any manner by Section 3(a) in its ability to act in its capacity as a member of the Board, including the manner in which such Purchaser Designated Director (A) may vote on any matter submitted to the Board, (B) participates in deliberations or discussions of the Board (including making suggestions or raising issues to the Board) in his or her capacity as a member of the Board, or (C) may take actions required by his or her exercise of legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board or refrain from taking any action prohibited by his or her legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board.

(d) For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Permitted Holders ” means (i) Antonio R. Sanchez, III, Eduardo A. Sanchez, Patricio D. Sanchez, Ana Lee Sanchez Jacobs, and A.R. Sanchez, Jr., (ii) any spouse or descendant of any individual named in (i), (iii) any other natural person who is related to, or who has been adopted by, any such individual or such individual’s spouse referenced in (i)-(ii) above within the second degree of kinship, (iv) any member of SP Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company and (v) any Person controlled by any one or more of the foregoing.

(e) For the purposes of Section 3(a), Purchaser’s Affiliates shall not include (i) any portfolio company of Purchaser that is not controlled (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate” contained in the Partnership


 

Agreement) by Purchaser, unless such portfolio company is a holder of Class B Preferred Units, or (ii) any employee, officer or director of a portfolio company that is not an employee, officer or director of Purchaser.

Section 4. Miscellaneous .

(a) Entire Agreement .  This Agreement is intended by the Parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by the Sanchez Entities or any of their Affiliates or the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates set forth herein.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(b) Notices .  All notices and demands provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given as provided in Section 6.07 of the Purchase Agreement.

(c) Interpretation .  Section references in this Agreement are references to the corresponding Section to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  All references to instruments, documents, contracts and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified.  The word “including” shall mean “including but not limited to” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.  Whenever any determination, consent or approval is to be made or given by a Party, such action shall be in such Party’s sole discretion, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement.  If any provision in this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, not binding or unenforceable, (i) such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, not binding or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and (ii) the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.  When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded, and if the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.  Any words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa.  The words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.  The division of this Agreement into Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

(d) Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement), will be construed in accordance with and governed by the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of Laws.  Any action against any Party relating to the foregoing shall be brought in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located within the State of Delaware, and the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any federal or state court located within the State of Delaware over any such action.  Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute.  Each of the Parties hereto agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(e) Waiver of Jury Trial .  EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES, AND AGREES TO CAUSE ITS AFFILIATES TO WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (ii) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR


 

INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE.  EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

(f) No Waiver; Modifications in Writing

(i) Delay .  No failure or delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to a Party at law or in equity or otherwise.

(ii) Specific Waiver .  Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment, waiver, consent, modification or termination of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed by each of the Parties hereto affected by such amendment, waiver, consent, modification or termination.  Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any departure by a Party from the terms of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given.  Except where notice is specifically required by this Agreement, no notice to or demand on a Party in any case shall entitle such Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.  Any investigation by or on behalf of any Party shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein.

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

(h) Binding Effect; Assignment .  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be assignable or delegable by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of each of the other Parties .

(i) Independent Counsel .  Each of the Parties acknowledges that it has been represented by independent counsel of its choice throughout all negotiations that have preceded the execution of this Agreement and that it has executed the same with consent and upon the advice of said independent counsel.  Each Party and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto will be deemed the work product of the Parties and may not be construed against any Party by reason of its preparation.  Accordingly, any rule of Law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it is of no application and is hereby expressly waived

(j) Specific Enforcement .  Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that monetary damages would not adequately compensate an injured Party for the breach of this Agreement by any Party, that this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable and that any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement shall be the proper subject of a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order without a requirement of posting bond.  Furthermore, each Party hereto waives any claim or defense that there is an adequate remedy at law for such breach or threatened breach.


 

(k) Transfer of Board Rights; Aggregation . The right to appoint a Purchaser Designated Director granted to the Purchaser under Section 1 of this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by the Purchaser to one or more of its Affiliates, subject to the transfer restrictions provided in Section 4.7(e) of the Partnership Agreement; provided, however , that (a) the Partnership is given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each of the transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned, (b) each such transferee or assignee assumes in writing responsibility for its portion of the obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement and (c) to the extent such right is transferred or assigned to more than one Person, such right shall be exercised by those Persons holding a majority of the Class B Preferred Units, acting collectively.

(l) Further Assurances .  Each of the Parties hereto shall, from time to time and without further consideration, execute such further instruments and take such other actions as any other Party hereto shall reasonably request in order to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 


 

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

 

 

 

 

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:

Charles C. Ward

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC,
its general partner

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:

Charles C. Ward

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Board Representation and Standstill Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

PURCHASER:

 

STONEPEAK CATARINA HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

By: STONEPEAK INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

(ORION AIV) LP, its managing partner

 

By: STONEPEAK ASSOCIATES LLC,

its general partner

 

By: STONEPEAK GP HOLDINGS LP,

its sole member

 

By: STONEPEAK GP INVESTORS LLC,

its general partner

 

By: STONEPEAK GP INVESTORS MANAGER

LLC, its managing member

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Michael Dorrell

Name:  Michael Dorrell

Title:    Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Board Representation and Standstill Agreement]

 

 


Execution Version

 

JOINDER, ASSIGNMENT AND SECOND AMENDMENT
TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This JOINDER, ASSIGNMENT AND SECOND AMENDMENT TO THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of October 14, 2015, is among SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the guarantors party hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), each of the Lenders party hereto (including (i) the Exiting Lender (as defined below), which joins this Amendment solely for purposes of the assignment-related provisions in Sections 3 and 4 hereof, and (ii) each New Lender (as defined below)), and ROYAL BANK OF CANADA , as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), and relates to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”; and as amended hereby, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as letter of credit issuer.

 

WHEREAS , the Borrower entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement between Sanchez Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ SN ”), SN Catarina, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the Borrower on or about September 25, 2015 (the “ Catarina PSA ”), pursuant to which the Borrower intends to acquire from SN indirectly by acquisition of the equity of Catarina Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Catarina Midstream ”), certain midstream oil and gas assets located in Dimmit and Webb Counties, Texas, as more particularly described in the Catarina PSA for approximately $345,820,250 (such acquisition, the “ Catarina Acquisition ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to amend the Existing Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders consent to the redemption for cash by the Borrower of 105,263 common units issued by the Borrower to SN, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, Section 12.02 of the Existing Credit Agreement provides that the Borrower and the Lenders may amend the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents for certain purposes; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with this Amendment, (i) Société Générale (the “ Exiting Lender ”) has informed the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it intends to assign, all of its Loan Commitment and outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit participations under the Existing Credit Agreement to other Lenders party to the Credit Agreement (including certain New Lenders (as defined below) party to the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment) such that, after giving effect to this Amendment, the Exiting Lender shall no longer be a party to the Credit Agreement, (ii) the Borrower has requested that each of Royal Bank of Canada, Compass Bank, SunTrust Bank and CIT Bank, N.A. (f/k/a OneWest Bank, N.A.) (each a “ Decreasing Lender ” and together with the Exiting Lender, an “ Assigning Lender ”), severally and

 

 

 

716937622 14464587


 

not jointly, assign a portion of its respective Loan Commitment and outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit participations to certain Lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date and certain New Lenders (as defined below) party to the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment, (iii) the Borrower has requested that each of Capital One, N.A., Comerica Bank, Citibank, N.A., Credit Suisse AG, and ING Capital LLC (each a “ New Lender ” and an “ Assuming Lender ”), severally and not jointly, join the Credit Agreement as a Lender (with a Commitment Amount as set forth opposite its name on Annex I attached hereto) and assume a portion of the respective Loan Commitment and outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit participations of the Assigning Lenders, such that, after giving effect to all of the foregoing assignments, assumptions and joinders, the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment (including each Decreasing Lender and each New Lender) shall have the respective Commitment Amounts set forth on the Annex I attached hereto and shall hold the corresponding Loan Commitments and outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit participations in accordance with such Commitment Amounts and the resulting Applicable Percentages.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

Section   1. Definitions .  Unless otherwise defined in this Amendment, each capitalized term used in this Amendment has the meaning assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement.

Section   2. Joinder of New Lenders .

(a) Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment and by its execution and delivery hereof, each New Lender, severally and not jointly, (i) shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to the Credit Agreement, (ii) shall have all the rights and obligations of a “Lender” under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as if it were a signatory thereto as of the Amendment Effective Date, and (iii) shall agree, and does hereby agree, to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Lenders are a party, in each case, as if it were an original signatory thereto.

(b) Each New Lender, severally and not jointly, (i) represents and warrants that (1) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Amendment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (2) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to become a Lender, provide its respective Commitment Amount and acquire its interest in the Loans and participation in Letters of Credit outstanding as of the Amendment Effective Date (after giving effect to this Amendment), (3) from and after the Amendment Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of its Commitment Amount, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (4) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement as amended and the

 

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other Loan Documents, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 8.01(a) and 8.01(b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Amendment, become a Lender, provide its respective Loan Commitment and acquire its interest in the Loans and participations in the Letters of Credit outstanding as of the Amendment Effective Date, on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent (or any Affiliate thereof acting in any capacity), the Issuer or any other Lender and (5) it has delivered to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and (ii) agrees that (1) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent (or any Affiliate thereof acting in any capacity), Issuer, or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions under the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Documents, (2) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender, (3) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to each such Person by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and (4) appoints and authorizes the Issuer to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to such Person by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

Section 3. Assignment, Renewal and Continuation of Existing Loans . Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (and subject to the provisions of Section 4 below):

(a) All of the Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment shall hereby be restructured, rearranged, renewed, extended and continued under the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and shall be Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby).

(b) In connection herewith, each Assigning Lender, severally and not jointly, hereby irrevocably sells and assigns, and each Assuming Lender, severally and not jointly, hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from each Assigning Lender, (i) an amount of each of the Assigning Lender’s Loan Commitments and other rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto such that each Assuming Lender shall have the respective resulting Commitment Amounts identified opposite the name of each Assuming Lender on Annex I attached hereto (and to the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby)) and the corresponding Loan Commitments and other rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any Letters of Credit) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right each Assigning Lender (in its capacity as a

 

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Lender) has against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above.  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to each Assigning Lender and, except as expressly provided in this Amendment, without representation or warranty by such Assigning Lender.

(c) Each Assigning Lender and each Assuming Lender, severally and not jointly, (a) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, each other Assigning Lender, and each other Assuming Lender that it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Amendment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any Guarantor, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any Guarantor, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

(d) Each Assigning Lender, severally and not jointly, further (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Documents, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Borrower of any of its obligations under the Loan Documents, or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

(e) The assignments of Loan Commitments, Commitment Amounts, Loans and participations in Letters of Credit implemented pursuant to this Amendment are in lieu of the execution and delivery of an Assignment and Acceptance otherwise required by Section 12.04(b) of the Credit Agreement and the requirements of Section 12.04(b) (including the payment of any assignment fee) are hereby waived with respect to such assignments.

 

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Section 4. Stipulation Regarding Execution by Exiting Lender .  Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Exiting Lender has executed and delivered this Amendment for purposes of Section 3 hereof and not otherwise, (b) after giving effect to the assignment by the Exiting Lender to each Assuming Lender, and the purchase by such Assuming Lenders pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the Assuming Lenders, the Decreasing Lenders and the other Lenders that continue as Lenders under the Credit Agreement constitute all of the Lenders for purposes of approving the amendments and consent to the Existing Credit Agreement that are implemented by this Amendment and (c) to the extent necessary to implement the amendments, the consent, the assignment by the Exiting Lender to the Assuming Lenders, and the purchase by such Assuming Lenders from the Exiting Lender (and the Decreasing Lenders) pursuant to Section 3 hereof, shall be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the effectiveness of the amendments implemented pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the establishment of the Borrowing Base and the Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 6 hereof and the consent implemented pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

Section 5. Amendments to the Credit Agreement .  Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Existing Credit Agreement (including Annex I, Schedule 7.14 and Schedule 7.22 thereto) is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text ) and to add the underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: underlined text ) as set forth in the pages of the Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto.

Section 6. Borrowing Base and Elected Commitment Amount.  Upon the Amendment Effective Date, (a) the Borrowing Base shall be $200,000,000 in accordance with Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement until otherwise redetermined in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Elected Commitment Amount shall be $200,000,000 in accordance with Section 2.06(c) of the Credit Agreement until increased or reduced in accordance with Section 2.06.

Section 7. Consent to Redemption of Common Units .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.04 of the Credit Agreement (which, among other things, prohibits the Borrower from redeeming its Equity Interests for cash) or any other provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, each of the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment (including each Decreasing Lender and each New Lender) hereby consents to the Borrower’s redemption for cash, concurrently with (but in any event within 5 days following) the effectiveness of this Amendment, of 105,263 common units issued by the Borrower to SN, the market value of which was equal to approximately $500,000 at the close of business on September 11, 2015, provided that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of Loans for such redemption.

Section 8. Ratification .  Except as expressly amended, modified or waived herein, each of the Borrower and the Guarantors hereby ratifies and confirms all of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and all references to the Credit Agreement, the Mortgages and the Notes in any of the Loan Documents shall be deemed to be references to the Credit Agreement, the Mortgages and the Notes as amended, modified or waived hereby and by the instruments and documents delivered pursuant to Section 9 .

 

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Section 9. Effectiveness .  This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “ Amendment Effective Date ”) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment executed by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Borrower, the Guarantors (including Catarina Midstream) and all Lenders (provided that the Exiting Lender shall be deemed to have joined this Amendment solely for purposes of the provisions of Section 3 and 4 hereof).

(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received: (A) reasonably satisfactory evidence that, upon the consummation of the Catarina Acquisition, the Borrower has (or contemporaneously with the Amendment Effective Date, shall have) acquired, pursuant to the Catarina PSA, title to the Midstream Properties described therein, free of any Liens other than Excepted Liens and Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent; (B) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the General Partner (1) certifying that, upon the consummation of the Catarina Acquisition, the Borrower has (or will have) consummated the acquisition contemplated by the Catarina PSA substantially in accordance with its terms and all conditions to the obligations of the parties set forth in the Catarina PSA (other than the payment of the purchase price thereunder) shall have been satisfied or waived, and no provision thereof shall have been waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent such waiver, amendment, supplement or other modification would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Lenders (except as otherwise agreed by the Lenders), (2) certifying that the Midstream Properties described in the Catarina PSA have been (or are to be) acquired pursuant to the Catarina PSA, (3) certifying as to the final purchase price paid (or to be paid) under the Catarina PSA after giving effect to all adjustments as of the closing date for such acquisition, and specifying, by category, the amount of such adjustment, and (4) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete executed copy of the Catarina PSA pursuant to which the Borrower has acquired (or will acquire) such Midstream Properties, together with true and complete copies of the Catarina Gathering Agreement, the memorandum included as Exhibit E to the Catarina PSA; and (C) duly executed releases and/or terminations of any financing statements or mortgages specifically referencing and burdening such Midstream Properties.

(c) the Administrative Agent shall have received title opinions or acceptable title information covering (i) a minimum of 80% of the present worth of the Borrower’s proved petroleum reserves included in calculating the RBL Component and (ii) the material Midstream Properties acquired (directly or indirectly) by the Borrower in connection with the Catarina Acquisition.

(d) the Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of (i) a joinder from Catarina Midstream to the Guarantee Agreement, (ii) a joinder from Catarina Midstream to the Pledge and Security Agreement, (iii) a supplement from the Borrower to the Pledge and Security Agreement (with respect to its Equity Interests in Catarina Midstream) and (iv) a

 

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Mortgage executed by Catarina Midstream with respect to the Midstream Properties acquired in the Catarina Acquisition (together with this Amendment, collectively, the “Amendment Documents”).  In connection with the execution and delivery of the Amendment Documents, (i) the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens) on the material Midstream Properties acquired in the Catarina Acquisition and (ii) if the Borrower’s Equity Interests in Catarina Midstream are certificated, the Collateral Agent shall have received original stock or membership interest certificates evidencing all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Catarina Midstream, together with the appropriate undated stock powers, or other equivalent instruments of transfer reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof.

(e) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the General Partner of the Borrower and of each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of the board of directors or other managing body of the General Partner or such Guarantor with respect to the authorization of the Borrower or such Guarantor to execute and deliver the Amendment Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the individuals who are authorized to sign the Amendment Documents to which the Borrower (acting through the General Partner) or such Guarantor is a party, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized individuals, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation and bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement, as applicable, of the Borrower, its General Partner and each Guarantor, in each case, certified as being true and complete.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from the Borrower to the contrary.

(f) the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate state agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Borrower, the General Partner and Catarina Midstream.

(g) the Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and special Texas local counsel to the Borrower, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as to such matters incident to the Amendment Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(h) the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Borrower has received minimum gross equity proceeds of an equity offering in connection with the Catarina Acquisition of at least $250,000,000.

(i) the Administrative Agent shall have received a consent and acknowledgment agreement from Sanchez Energy Corporation, as producer, in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Catarina Gathering

 

7

 

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Agreement concerning the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, provision for notices concerning the Catarina Gathering Agreement (including any defaults or potential defaults by Borrower), the exercise of remedies by the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and such other matters as may reasonably be required by the Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(j) the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonable satisfactory financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, and, if then required to be delivered under the Existing Credit Agreement, for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015.

(k) the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Swap Transactions of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 7.22 to the Credit Agreement shall be a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements and Swap Transactions of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries as of the Amendment Effective Date (which Schedule 7.22 to the Credit Agreement shall include those Swap Transactions set forth on Schedule 6.01(q) and Schedule 7.22 to the Existing Credit Agreement for which settlement or performance has not occurred as of the Amendment Effective Date).

(l) the Borrower and each Guarantor shall have confirmed and acknowledged to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and by its execution and delivery of this Agreement the Borrower and each Guarantor do hereby confirm and acknowledge to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and each other Amendment Document has been duly authorized by all requisite limited partnership or limited liability company action, as applicable, on the part of the Borrower or such Guarantor, as applicable; (ii) the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party constitute valid and legally binding agreements enforceable against the Borrower or such Guarantor, as applicable, in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and (iii) no Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents after giving effect to this Amendment.

(m) the Borrower shall have paid all agreed fees to the extent due and payable in connection with this Amendment and paid or reimbursed the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and execution and delivery of this Amendment (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of Mayer Brown LLP), in each case, to the extent provided in Section 12.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 9 , each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the Amendment Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 10. Governing Law .  THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 11. Miscellaneous

(a) On and after the Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import, referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in each other Loan Document to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Existing Credit Agreement as amended or otherwise modified by this Amendment.  This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for purposes of the Credit Agreement.

(b) The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any default of the Borrower  or any Guarantor or any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

(c) Each of the Borrower and each Guarantor represents and warrants that as of the date hereof (i) it has the limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents to which it is a party, has taken all necessary limited partnership or limited liability company action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents to which it is a party and the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents to which it is a party does not and will not contravene the terms of the Borrower’s or such Guarantor’s, as applicable, organizational documents; (ii) it has duly executed and delivered this Amendment and this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower or such Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law); (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and (iv) no action, suit, investigation or other proceeding is pending or threatened before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority seeking to restrain,

 

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enjoin or prohibit or declare illegal, or seeking damages from the Borrower in connection with this Amendment or the Catarina Acquisition or which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 12. Severability .  Any provisions of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provisions so held to be invalid.

Section 13. Successors and Assigns .  This Amendment is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuer, the Borrower and each Guarantor and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 14. Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telecopier or electronically by .pdf shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

Section 15. Headings .  The headings, captions and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment or any other Loan Document.

Section 16. Integration .  This Amendment represents the final agreement of the Borrower, each Guarantor, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Borrower, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer, nor any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed by its officer(s) thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP ,
as Borrower

 

 

 

By:

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS
GP LLC ,
its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

CEP MID-CONTINENT LLC,
as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

NORTHEAST SHELF ENERGY, L.L.C.,
as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

MID-CONTINENT OILFIELD SUPPLY, L.L.C.,
as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

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SEP HOLDINGS IV, LLC,
as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

CATARINA MIDSTREAM, LLC,
as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles C. Ward

 

Name:  Charles C. Ward

 

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Yvonne Brazier

 

Name:  Yvonne Brazier

 

Title:    Manager, Agency

 

 

 

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as a Lender and the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

Name:  Mark Lumpkin, Jr.

 

Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

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CIT BANK, N.A. (f/k/a OneWest Bank, N.A.),
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Zachary Holly

 

Name:  Zachary Holly

 

Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

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COMPASS BANK,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Umar Hassan

 

Name:  Umar Hassan

 

Title:    Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

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SUNTRUST BANK,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Chulley Bogle

 

Name:  Chulley Bogle

 

Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

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CAPITAL ONE, N ATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nancy Mak

 

Name: Nancy Mak  

 

Title:    Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

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CITIBANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Phil Ballard

 

Name:  Phil Ballard

 

Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

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COMERICA BANK,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeff Treadway

 

Name:  Jeff Treadway

 

Title:    Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

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CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nupur Kumar

 

Name:  Nupur Kumar

 

Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jayant Rao

 

Name:  Jayant Rao

 

Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

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ING CAPITAL LLC,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Josh Strong

 

Name: Josh Strong  

 

Title:    Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles Hall

 

Name: Charles Hall  

 

Title:    Managing Director

 

 

 

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SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE ,
as Exiting Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Elena Robciuc

 

Name:  Elena Robciuc

 

Title:   Managing Director  

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit A

 

 

Marked Version of Credit Agreement

 

(See Attached)

 

716937622 14464587


 

 

Annex I

 

Updated Commitment Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAME OF LENDER

 

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

 

COMMITMENT AMOUNT

 

 

 

 

 

Royal Bank of Canada

 

14.00000000% 

 

$
28,000,000.00 

Compass Bank

 

12.50000000% 

 

$
25,000,000.00 

SunTrust Bank

 

12.50000000% 

 

$
25,000,000.00 

Capital One, N.A.

 

12.50000000% 

 

$
25,000,000.00 

Comerica Bank

 

12.50000000% 

 

$
25,000,000.00 

Citibank, N.A.

 

9.00000000% 

 

$
18,000,000.00 

Credit Suisse AG

 

9.00000000% 

 

$
18,000,000.00 

ING Capital LLC

 

9.00000000% 

 

$
18,000,000.00 

CIT Bank, N.A.

 

9.00000000% 

 

$
18,000,000.00 

TOTAL

 

100.00000000% 

 

$
200,000,000.00 

 

 

716937622 14464587


 

Execution Version Exhibit A
to Second Amendment

 

 

 

$500,000,000

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of March 31, 2015

among

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

as Borrower,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE

As Syndication Agent

COMPASS BANK and SUNTRUST BANK

As Co- Syndication Agents,

CAPITAL ONE, N.A. and COMERICA BANK

As Co- Documentation Agents ,  

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS   and SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC

as Joint Sole Lead Arrangers Arranger and Joint Bookrunners Bookrunner ,

and

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

 

715347206 14464587 716874472 14464587


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

2

Section 1.01

Terms Defined Above

2

Section 1.02

Certain Defined Terms

2

Section 1.03

Terms Generally

29 3 2

Section 1.04

Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP

29 3 3

ARTICLE II.

THE CREDITS

29 3 3

Section 2.01

Loan Commitments

29 3 3

Section 2.02

Loans and Borrowings

30 3 3

Section 2.03

Requests for Borrowings

31 3 4

Section 2.04

Interest Elections

31 3 5

Section 2.05

Funding of Borrowing

32 3 6

Section 2.06

Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount 33 or Elected Commitment Amount

3 7

Section 2.07

Borrowing Base

34 3 9

Section 2.08

Letters of Credit

37 4 4

Section 2.09

Intentionally Omitted

41 4 8

Section 2.10

Defaulting Lenders or Impacted Lenders

41 4 8

ARTICLE III.

PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES

44 5 1

Section 3.01

Repayment of Loans

44 5 1

Section 3.02

Interest

45 5 1

Section 3.03

Prepayments

46 5 3

Section 3.04

Fees

48 5 5

ARTICLE IV.

PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS

49 5 5

Section 4.01

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

49 5 5

Section 4.02

Presumption of Payment by the Borrower

50 5 7

ARTICLE V.

INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY

50 5 7

Section 5.01

Increased Costs

50 5 7

Section 5.02

Break Funding Payments

51 5 8

Section 5.03

Taxes

52 5 9

Section 5.04

Designation of Different Lending Office

54 6 1

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Section 5.05

Illegality

54 6 1

Section 5.06

Replacement of a Lender

55 6 1

ARTICLE VI.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

56 6 3

Section 6.01

Closing Date

56 6 3

Section 6.02

Each Credit Event

59 6 6

ARTICLE VII.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

60 6 7

Section 7.01

Organization; Powers

60 6 7

Section 7.02

Authority; Enforceability

60 6 7

Section 7.03

Approvals; No Conflicts

60 6 7

Section 7.04

Financial Statements

61 6 7

Section 7.05

Litigation

61 6 8

Section 7.06

Environmental Matters

61 6 8

Section 7.07

Compliance with the Laws and Agreements

62 6 9

Section 7.08

Investment Company Act

62 6 9

Section 7.09

Taxes

62 6 9

Section 7.10

ERISA

63 70

Section 7.11

Disclosure; No Material Misstatements

64 70

Section 7.12

Insurance

64 7 1

Section 7.13

Restriction on Liens

64 7 1

Section 7.14

Subsidiaries

64 7 1

Section 7.15

Location of Business and Offices

65 7 1

Section 7.16

Properties; Titles; Etc.

65 7 1

Section 7.17

Title

66 7 3

Section 7.18

Security Instruments

67 7 3

Section 7.19

Maintenance of Properties

67 7 4

Section 7.20

Gas Imbalances; Prepayments

68 7 4

Section 7.21

Marketing of Production

68 7 5

Section 7.22

Swap Transactions

68 7 5

Section 7.23

Use of Loans and Letters of Credit

68 7 5

Section 7.24

Solvency

69 7 5

Section 7.25

Patriot Act; OFAC; Sanctions

69 7 6

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Section 7.26

Seniority Designation

70 7 6

ARTICLE VIII.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

70 7 7

Section 8.01

Financial Statements; Ratings Change; Other Information

70 7 7

Section 8.02

Notices of Material Events

73 80

Section 8.03

Existence; Conduct of Business

74 81

Section 8.04

Payment of Obligations

74 8 1

Section 8.05

Performance of Obligations Under Loan Documents

74 8 1

Section 8.06

Operation and Maintenance of Properties

74 8 1

Section 8.07

Insurance

75 8 2

Section 8.08

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

75 8 2

Section 8.09

Compliance with Laws

75 8 2

Section 8.10

Environmental Matters

75 8 3

Section 8.11

Further Assurances

76 8 3

Section 8.12

Title Information

77 8 4

Section 8.13

Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors

77 8 5

Section 8.14

ERISA Compliance

79 8 7

Section 8.15

[Intentionally Omitted]

79 8 7

Section 8.16

Title

79 8 7

Section 8.17

Keepwell

80 8 7

Section 8.18

Additional Covenants Upon Issuance of Unsecured Notes

80 8 8

ARTICLE IX.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

81 8 8

Section 9.01

Financial Covenants

81 8 9

Section 9.02

Debt

81 8 9

Section 9.03

Liens

83 91

Section 9.04

Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions

83 91

Section 9.05

Investments, Loans and Advances

84 9 2

Section 9.06

Nature of Business

85 9 3

Section 9.07

Limitation on Leases

85 9 3

Section 9.08

Proceeds of Notes

85 9 3

Section 9.09

ERISA Compliance

85 9 3

Section 9.10

Sale or Discount of Receivables

86 9 4

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Section 9.11

Mergers; Etc

86 9 4

Section 9.12

Sale of Properties

86 9 4

Section 9.13

Transactions with Affiliates

87 9 5

Section 9.14

Subsidiaries

88 9 6

Section 9.15

Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions

88 9 6

Section 9.16

Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments

88 9 6

Section 9.17

Swap Transactions

88 9 7

Section 9.18

Tax Status as Partnership; Operating Agreements 90 ; Material Contracts

9 8

Section 9.19

Acquisition Properties

90 9 9

Section 9.20

Accounting Changes

91 9 9

Section 9.21

Prepayment of Permitted Unsecured Notes; Payment on Subordinated Note; Amendments to Debt Documents

91 9 9

Section 9.22

Marketing Activities

92 100

ARTICLE X.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

92 100

Section 10.01

Events of Default

92 100

Section 10.02

Remedies

94 10 2

Section 10.03

Disposition of Proceeds

95 10 3

ARTICLE XI.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT

96 10 4

Section 11.01

Appointment; Powers

96 10 4

Section 11.02

Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

96 10 4

Section 11.03

Action by Agent

97 10 5

Section 11.04

Reliance by Agent

97 10 5

Section 11.05

Subagents

98 10 6

Section 11.06

Resignation or Removal of Agents

98 10 6

Section 11.07

Agents and Lenders

98 10 6

Section 11.08

No Reliance

98 10 6

Section 11.09

Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim

99 10 7

Section 11.10

Authority of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to Release Collateral and Liens

100 10 8

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Section 11.11

The Arranger, etc.

100 10 8

ARTICLE XII.

MISCELLANEOUS

100 10 8

Section 12.01

Notices

100 10 8

Section 12.02

Waivers; Amendments

102 10 9

Section 12.03

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

103 1 11

Section 12.04

Successors and Assigns

105 11 3

Section 12.05

Survival; Revival; Reinstatement

109 11 6

Section 12.06

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

109 11 7

Section 12.07

Severability

110 11 8

Section 12.08

Right of Setoff

110 11 8

Section 12.09

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

110 11 8

Section 12.10

Headings

111 11 9

Section 12.11

Confidentiality

111 11 9

Section 12.12

Maximum Interest

112 1 20

Section 12.13

EXCULPATION PROVISIONS

113 1 21

Section 12.14

Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements

113 1 21

Section 12.15

No Third Party Beneficiaries

114 12 1

Section 12.16

USA Patriot Act Notice

114 12 2

Section 12.17

Amendment and Restatement

114 12 2

Section 12.18

No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility.

115 12 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annex I

List of Maximum Credit Elected Commitment Amount; Commitment Amounts

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Note

Exhibit B

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit C

Security Instruments

Exhibit D

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit E

Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit F

Form of Interest Election Request

Exhibit G

Form of Commitment Increase Agreement

Exhibit H

Form of Additional Lender Agreement

Exhibit G I

Form of Notice of Letter of Credit Request

 

 

Schedule 6.01(q)

Minimum Hedges

Schedule 7.05

Litigation

Schedule 7.06

Environmental Matters

Schedule 7.11

Material Debt and Other Obligations

Schedule 7.14

Subsidiaries

Schedule 7.20

Gas Imbalances

Schedule 7.21

Marketing Contracts

Schedule 7.22

Swap Agreements; Swap Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of March 31, 2015, is by and among Sanchez Production Partners LP, a limited partnership duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Borrower ”), each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto, Royal Bank of Canada (in its individual capacity, “ Royal Bank of Canada ”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), RBC Capital Markets and SG Americas Securities, LLC , as joint sole lead arrangers arranger and joint bookrunners bookrunner .

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, Société Générale, as administrative agent, and certain lenders, are were parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 30, 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”) whereby the lenders therein extended credit to the Borrower in the form of loans and letters of credit; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into a certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 31, 2015 (the “ Palmetto PSA ”), by and among SEP III Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as seller (“ Palmetto Seller ”), SEP Holdings IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a Guarantor under this Agreement, as buyer (“ Palmetto Buyer ”), and Borrower, pursuant to which Palmetto Buyer will acquire certain wellbores producing from the Eagle Ford Shale formation in Gonzales County, Texas, and more particularly described in the Palmetto PSA (such acquisition, the “ Palmetto Acquisition ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Assignment of Secured Indebtedness and Authorization to Assign Liens dated as of March 31, 2015, by and among the Borrower, the Existing Lenders, the Existing Agent, the Lenders, the Agent and the other parties thereto (the “ Assignment Agreement ”), the Existing Lenders have sold and assigned, and the Lenders have purchased and assumed, all of the outstanding loans and credit extensions outstanding under the Existing Agreement, together with the benefit of all of the related security documents and liens, as more particularly set forth therein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower entered into a certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 31, 2015 (the “ Palmetto PSA ”), by and among SEP III Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as seller (“ Palmetto Seller ”), SEP Holdings IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a Guarantor under this Agreement, as buyer (“ Palmetto Buyer ”), and Borrower, pursuant to which Palmetto Buyer acquired certain wellbores producing from the Eagle Ford Shale formation in Gonzales County, Texas, and more particularly described in the Palmetto PSA (such acquisition, the “ Palmetto Acquisition ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into a certain Purchase and Sale Agreement between Sanchez Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ SN ”), SN Catarina, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SN Catarina ”), and Borrower dated as of [_________],  

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2015 (the Catarina PSA ”), pursuant to which the Borrower intends to acquire from SN, indirectly by acquisition of the equity of Catarina Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, certain midstream oil and gas assets located in Dimmit and Webb Counties, Texas, as more particularly described in the Catarina PSA for approximately $[320,000,000] (such acquisition, the “ Catarina Acquisition ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement, which shall amend and restate and otherwise supersede the Existing Credit Agreement and provide provides that the Lenders may continue to extend credit to the Borrower as provided in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide Loan Commitments (to include availability for Loans and Letters of Credit), pursuant to which Loans will be made from time to time prior to the Termination Date (including credit the proceeds of which, together with other consideration, will be were used to consummate the Palmetto Acquisition), and Letter of Credit Commitments, pursuant to which Letters of Credit will be issued from time to time prior to the Termination Date; and

 

WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Issuer are willing, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, to extend the Loan Commitments and make Loans to the Borrower and issue (or participate in) Letters of Credit;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders agree to amend and restate in their entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

 

Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above .  As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.

 

Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

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

 

Acceptable Security Interest ” in any Property means a Lien which (a) exists in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, the Lenders, and any Swap Counterparty, (b) is superior to all Liens or rights of any other Person in the Property encumbered thereby, other than Excepted Liens, (c) secures the Obligations, and (d) is perfected and enforceable, subject to general principles of equity and the rights of debtors under applicable Debtor Relief Laws.  

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Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.16 .

 

Additional Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c) .

 

Additional Lender Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c) .

 

Adjusted EBITDA ” means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (minus) the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: Interest Expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expenses, write off of deferred financing fees, impairment of long-lived assets, (gain) loss on sale of assets, (gain) loss from equity investment, accretion of asset retirement obligation, unrealized (gain) loss on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids derivatives and realized (gain) loss on cancelled oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids derivatives, and other similar charges ; provided, however, that if the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of (whether in one or a series of related transactions) any Oil and Gas Property during such period having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $5,000,000 or any Midstream Properties having,   individually or in the aggregate, a Midstream Attributed Value in excess of five percent (5%) of the then effective Midstream Component since the last recalculation pursuant to Section 2.07(h)(i) , then Adjusted EBITDA shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or disposition, as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred on the first day of such period .

 

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate

 

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

 

Advance ” means any advance hereunder of monies by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a Borrowing and refers to an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

 

Affected Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06 .

 

Affected Loans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05 .

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Agents ” means each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any person Person identified as a “ Co- Syndication Agent,” any Person identified as a “Co-Documentation Agent” or any combination of them as the context requires and also includes any Person identified as “Lead Arranger” or “Bookrunner.”

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Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount ”   at any time shall equal the sum of the Maximum Credit Amounts, means $500,000,000, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.06 , or otherwise modified in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Agreement ” means this Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, amended and restated , supplemented or otherwise modified .

 

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month interest period in effect on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1% ; provided that in no event shall the Alternate Base Rate be less than 0% per annum .  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective day of such change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

 

Applicable Margin ” means, for any day and with respect to (a) all Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans or (b) Commitment Fee Rate, the applicable percentage set forth below corresponding to the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing  Base

Utilization

Percentage

Eurodollar  Loan

ABR  Loan

C ommitment

Fee  Rate

> 90%

2.75%

1.75%

0.500%

> 75% < 90%

2.50%

1.50%

0.500%

> 50% < 75%

2.25%

1.25%

0.500% 1

> 25% < 50%

2.00%

1.00%

0.375%

< 25%

1.75%

0.75%

0.375%

 

Each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided, however, that if at any time the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to Section 2.07 , then the “Applicable Margin” shall mean the rate per annum set forth on the grid when the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage is at its highest level.  If for any reason, based upon incorrect or inaccurate information provided to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by the Borrower, it is determined that a higher Applicable Margin should have applied to a period than was actually applied, then the proper margin shall be applied retroactively, and the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, promptly on demand therefor, an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest and fees that would have accrued using the proper margin and the amount actually paid.

 


1   Per term sheet.

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Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Elected Commitment Amount represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Commitment Amount at such time.  The initial Applicable Percentages of the Lenders are set forth on Annex I .

 

Approved Counterparty ” means (a) any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender, (b) any other Person whose long term senior unsecured debt rating is A by S&P or A2 by Moody’s (or their equivalent) or higher, and (c) any other Person approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Approved Engineer ” means Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc., Ryder Scott Company, L.P. or any other independent petroleum engineer satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business, and (b) is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Person or an Affiliate of a Person that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Arranger ” means , RBC Capital Markets in its capacity as joint sole lead arranger and joint bookrunner hereunder.

 

Assignment Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the third recital Recitals .  

 

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.04(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit D or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the Termination Date.

 

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any fiscal quarter ending prior to the Termination Date:

 

(a) the sum of (i) all cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower on hand at the end of such fiscal quarter; and (ii) all additional cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such fiscal quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made prior to the end of such fiscal quarter, less

 

(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the board of directors  or equivalent governing body of the General Partner for the Borrower to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Borrower (including reserves for future maintenance capital expenditures including drilling and for anticipated future credit needs of the Borrower), (ii) comply with Governmental Requirements or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for distributions with respect to any one or more of the next four fiscal quarters.

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Base Rate ” means, at any time, the rate of interest then most recently established by the Administrative Agent in New York or such other office as the Administrative Agent shall designate in writing, as its base rate for dollars loaned in the United States.  The Base Rate is not necessarily intended to be the lowest rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit.

 

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

 

Borrowing ” means Loans made or continued on the same date and, with respect to Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Base ” means an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Section 2.07 , as the same may be redetermined or adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 ,   Section 8.12(c) or Section 9.12(d) , or otherwise redetermined or adjusted in accordance with this Agreement sum of the RBL Component and the Midstream Component .

 

Borrowing Base Deficiency ” means the aggregate outstanding amount, if any, by which the  Revolving Credit Exposure exceeds the lesser of the (a) Borrowing Base and (b) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount Loan Limit .

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage ” means, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Revolving Credit Exposure on such day, and the denominator of which is the lesser of the Elected Commitment Amount and the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.

 

Borrowing Request ” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 .

 

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed; and if such day relates to a Borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or the Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such Borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which dealings in dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Leases ” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of the Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder.

 

Cash Collateral Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(j) .

 

Cash Collateralize ” means, with respect to a Letter of Credit, the deposit of immediately available funds into a cash collateral account maintained with (or on behalf of) the Administrative Agent on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

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Cash Equivalent ” means, at any time:

 

(a) any direct obligation of (or unconditionally guaranteed by) the United States or a State thereof (or any agency or political subdivision thereof, to the extent such obligations are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or a State thereof) maturing not more than one year after such time;

 

(b) commercial paper maturing not more than 270 days from the date of issue, that is issued by (i) a corporation (other than an Affiliate of any Obligor) organized under the laws of any State of the United States or of the District of Columbia, and rated A1 or higher by S&P or P1 or higher by Moody’s or (ii) any Lender (or its holding company);

 

(c) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or bankers acceptance, maturing not more than one year after its date of issuance, that is issued by (i) any bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States (or any State thereof), and that has (A) a short term deposit rating of A2 or higher from Moody’s or A or higher from S&P and (B) a combined capital and surplus greater than $500,000,000, or (ii) any Lender;

 

(d) shares of money market mutual or similar funds which invest primarily in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (c) of this definition; or

 

(e) money market funds that (i) purport to comply generally with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s or carrying an equivalent rating by a national recognized rating agency, and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

 

Casualty Event ” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a fair market value in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate for any calendar year.

 

Catarina Gathering Agreement ” shall mean that certain Firm Gathering and Processing Agreement dated as of [____________], between SN Catarina, LLC, as producer, and Catarina Midstream, LLC, as gatherer, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Catarina Minimum Quantity ” shall mean 142,000 mcf per day multiplied by the number of days in the applicable quarter.

 

Catarina PSA ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

Change in Control ” means any one or more of the following events shall occur:  (a) the General Partner shall cease to be the sole general partner of the Borrower, or (b) the Permitted Holders shall , collectively,   shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the Equity Interests of the General Partner or shall cease to Control, directly or indirectly, the General Partner.

 

Change in Law ” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule, treaty or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule, treaty or regulation or in the interpretation

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or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuer (or, for purposes of Section 5.01(b) , by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuer’s holding company, if any) with any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor similar authority) or the United States financial regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

 

Closing Date ” means the date of this Agreement.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Collateral ” shall mean the Collateral as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Mortgaged Property.

 

Collateral Agent ” means Royal Bank of Canada, as collateral agent, under the Security Instruments (together with any successor(s) and assign(s) thereto).

 

Commitment Amount ” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “ Commitment Amount”, as the same may be (a) increased, reduced or terminated from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 or (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by Section 12.04(b) .

 

Commitment Fee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(a) .

 

Commitment Fee Rate ” means the rate per annum determined from time to time based on the percentage reflected in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Commitment Increase Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c) .

 

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means with respect to the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following (all determined in accordance with GAAP): (a) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries), except to the extent of the

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amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such period by such other Person to the Borrower or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited; (c) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such transaction; (d) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period; (e) non-cash gains, losses or adjustments under Accounting Standards Codification 815 as a result of changes in the fair market value of derivatives; (f) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets, including ceiling test writedowns; and (g) non-cash share-based payments under Accounting Standards Codification 718; and provided further that if the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of any Property during such period having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $5,000,000 (whether in one or a series of related transactions) , then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or disposition, as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred on the first day of such period . 718.

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries ” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Current Ratio ” means the ratio of

 

(a) consolidated current assets of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries but including any unused availability under this Agreement and excluding therefrom any current non-cash asset (including in respect of Swap Transactions) described in or calculated pursuant to the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 815 or 410, each as amended (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of consolidated current assets shall include any current assets in respect of the termination of any Swap Transaction)

 

to

 

(b) consolidated current liabilities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries but excluding therefrom any current maturities of Debt (to the extent such payments are not past due) and current non-cash liabilities (including in respect of Swap Transactions) described in or calculated pursuant to the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 815 or 410, each as amended (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of consolidated current liabilities shall include any current liabilities in respect of the termination of any Swap Transaction).

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Debt ” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accounts payable, accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person, in each such case to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services; (d) all obligations under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person (but, to the extent such obligations or liabilities are limited in recourse to the Obligors, the amount of such liabilities or obligations constituting Debt shall be limited to the lesser of the fair market value of such property and the amount of the obligations or liabilities assumed); (g) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others, in each case, intended as a means of credit enhancement for creditors of such others and not as a purchase and sale agreement; (i) obligations to deliver commodities, goods or services, including, without limitation, Hydrocarbons, in consideration of one or more advance payments, other than gas balancing arrangements in the ordinary course of business; (j) obligations to pay for goods or services whether or not such goods or services are actually received or utilized by such Person; (k) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (l) Disqualified Capital Stock; and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment; provided however, that Debt shall exclude (i) all Swap Obligations and guarantees in respect thereof and (ii) for purposes of calculating Total Net Debt, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (for the deferred purchase price of Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to which no more than 90 days have elapsed since the date of invoice or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP and other obligations to pay for goods or services whether or not such goods or services are actually received or utilized by such Person.  The Debt of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP.

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally (including, to the extent applicable, the rights and remedies of creditors of a “financial company” as such term is defined in Section 201 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) or providing for the relief of debtors.

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Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender ”   means, subject to Section 2.10(g) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within three Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within three Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuer in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender ; provided, further, that the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to a Lender or a direct or indirect parent company of a Lender under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) shall not be deemed to result in an event described in (d) hereof .  Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.10(g) ) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Issuer, and each Lender .

 

Disqualified Capital Stock ” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (that would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund

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obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (that would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans, Letter of Credit Exposure or other obligations hereunder outstanding and all of the Loan Commitments are terminated.

 

dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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

 

Elected Commitment Amount ” means the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Commitment Amounts, as the same may be increased, reduced or terminated from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 , or otherwise modified in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Elected Commitment Amount Increase Notice ” means a notice from the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the Borrower that an increase in the Elected Commitment Amount has become effective in accordance with Section 2.06 .

 

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; or (d) any other Person (other than a natural Person, the Borrower, a Defaulting Lender, any Affiliate of the Borrower or any other Person taking direction from, or working in concert with, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates) approved by the Administrative Agent and the Issuer (such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld).

 

Environmental Laws ” means any and all applicable Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment or the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is conducting or at any time has conducted business, or where any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is located, including without limitation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“ OPA ”), as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“ CERCLA ”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“ RCRA ”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.  The term “oil” shall have the meaning specified in OPA, the terms “hazardous substance” and “release” (or “threatened release”) have the meanings specified in CERCLA and the terms “solid waste” and “disposal” (or “disposed”) have the meanings specified in RCRA and the term “oil and gas waste” shall have the meaning specified in Section 91.1011 of the Texas Natural Resources Code (“ Section 91.1011 ”); provided, however, that (a) in the event either OPA, CERCLA, RCRA or Section 91.1011 is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment and (b) to the extent the laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is located establish a meaning for “oil,” “hazardous

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substance,” “release,” “solid waste,” “disposal” or “oil and gas waste” which is broader than that specified in either OPA, CERCLA, RCRA or Section 91.1011, such broader meaning shall apply with respect to Property located in such state or other jurisdiction.

 

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; or (g) the determination that any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

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

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01 .

 

Excepted Liens ” shall mean: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies (x) not yet due or (y) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained; (b) Liens in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, workmen’s, materialmen’s,

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construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties or statutory landlord’s liens, each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens that arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) encumbrances (other than to secure the payment of borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of Property or services), easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any rights of way or other Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, and defects, irregularities, zoning restrictions and deficiencies in title of any rights of way or other Property that in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such rights of way or other Property for the purposes of which such rights of way and other Property are held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (f) deposits of cash or Cash Equivalents to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (all of the foregoing other than for Debt) or to secure obligations on surety or appeal bonds; (g) Liens permitted by the Security Instruments; (h) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, provided that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depository institution; (i) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default; and (j) Liens comprised of UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases covering only the Property leased thereunder.

 

Excluded Hedge Obligation ” means, with respect to any Obligor, any Swap Obligation if and to the extent that all or a portion of such Swap Obligation or the guarantee of such Obligor of, or the grant by such Obligor of a security interest or other Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Obligor’s failure for any reason to constitute a

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Qualified ECP Obligor at the time such Obligor’s guarantee or such Obligor’s grant of such security interest  or other Lien becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation.  If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee obligation or other liability or security interest or other Lien is or becomes illegal.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 5.06 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 5.03 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(f) or (g) , and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing Agent ” shall mean Société Générale, as administrative agent for the Existing Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Existing Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

Existing Lenders ” shall mean the “Lenders” under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Existing Loans ” shall mean the “Loans” under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Existing Obligations ” shall mean the “Obligations” under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement outstanding on the Closing Date.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any intergovernmental agreements related to or implementing the foregoing, or laws or regulations implementing such agreements, including any successor provisions, subsequent amendments, and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (or which may be promulgated thereunder in the future).

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Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to:

 

(a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for

 

such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or

 

(b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Fee Letter ” means that certain engagement letter Fee Letter dated March 11, as of July 15, 2015, among the Borrower , and the Administrative Agent and the Arranger .

 

Financial Officer ” means, for any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Financial Officer shall mean a Financial Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower.

 

Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statement of income, members’ equity and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended on such date.

 

First Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning for such term as set forth in that certain Joinder, Assignment and First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of [________], 2015, among the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

Flood Insurance Laws ” means, to the extent applicable to any Obligor, Secured Party or Collateral, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the regulations issued in connection therewith by the Office of the Controller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and other Governmental Authorities, each as it may be amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1.04 .

 

General Partner ” means Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

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Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government over the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any of their Properties, any Agent, the Issuer or any Lender.

 

Governmental Requirement ” means any applicable law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.

 

Guarantee Agreement ” means each agreement executed by the Guarantors in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Lenders, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

Guarantors ” means CEP Mid-Continent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Northeast Shelf Energy, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company, Mid-Continent Oilfield Supply, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company, SEP Holdings IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Catarina Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and any additional Guarantors pursuant to Section 8.13 .

 

Highest Lawful Rate ” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any (or, if the context so requires, an amount calculated at such rate), that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Obligations under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable federal laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than Governmental Requirements allow as of the date hereof.

 

Hydrocarbon Interests ” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

 

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons, coal bed gas and occluded natural gas and all products refined or separated therefrom.

 

Impacted Lender ” means, at any time, a Lender (a) as to which the Administrative Agent or the Issuer has in good faith determined and notified the Borrower and, in the case of the Issuer, the Administrative Agent that such Lender or its Parent Company or a Subsidiary thereof has notified the Administrative Agent, or has stated publicly, that it will not comply with its funding obligations under any other loan agreement or credit agreement or other similar agreement or (b) that has, or whose Parent Company has, a non-investment grade rating from Moody’s (below

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Baa3) or S&P (below BBB-) or another nationally recognized rating agency.  Any determination that a Lender is an Impacted Lender under clause (a) above will be made by the Administrative Agent or the Issuer, as the case may be, in its sole discretion acting in good faith.  The Administrative Agent will promptly send to all parties hereto a copy of any notice to the Borrower provided for in this definition.

 

Increasing Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c)

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Obligor under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

Initial Reserve Report ” means (i) the reserve report concerning Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, prepared by Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc., effective as of December 31, 2014, and (ii) the Palmetto Reserve Report.

 

Initial Subordinated Note ” means that certain 10.00%/10.75% Senior Unsecured Subordinated PIK Note due 2020 issued on the Closing Date from Borrower, as issuer, to Palmetto Seller, as holder, in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $21,250,000, which note has an initial maturity date not earlier than six months after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the Closing Date), no mandatory amortization or scheduled payment of principal thereunder and (subject to the provisions of Section 9.21 ) provides for interest payments to be made only in-kind by capitalizing the accrued but unpaid interest thereunder.

 

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04 .

 

Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the sum (determined without duplication) of the aggregate gross interest expense of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, including (a) to the extent included in interest expense under GAAP: (i) amortization of debt discount, (ii) capitalized interest and (iii) the portion of any payments or accruals under Capital Leases allocable to interest expense, plus the portion of any payments or accruals under Synthetic Leases allocable to interest expense whether or not the same constitutes interest expense under GAAP and (b) cash dividend payments by the Borrower in respect of any Disqualified Capital Stock; but excluding non-cash gains, losses or adjustments under Accounting Standards Codification 815 as a result of changes in the fair market value of derivatives.

 

Interest Period ” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a

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Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

Interim RBL Component Redetermination ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(c) .

 

Interim RBL Component Redetermination Date ” means the date on which a RBL Component that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim RBL Component Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.07(c) .

 

Investment ” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including, without limitation, any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit for the purpose of acquisition of Equity Interests in or Debt of, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Debt of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding ninety (90) days representing the purchase price of inventory, equipment, or supplies sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person that constitutes a business unit or (d) the entering into of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation (including the deposit of any Equity Interests to be sold) with respect to, Debt or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person.

 

Issuer ” means Royal Bank of Canada, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.08(i) .  

 

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Annex I , and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

 

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Agreements ” means all letter of credit applications and other agreements (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) submitted by the Borrower, or entered into by the Borrower, with the Issuer relating to any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer.

 

Letter of Credit Commitment ” at any time means an amount equal to the lesser of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) or the Loan Limit .

 

Letter of Credit Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuer pursuant to a Letter of Credit issued by the Issuer.

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Letter of Credit Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all unpaid and outstanding Reimbursement Obligations.  The Letter of Credit Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Letter of Credit Exposure at such time.

 

Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date ” means the first date on which either (a) the Borrower shall have repaid in full all Debt outstanding under the Subordinated Notes in compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement, including Section 9.21(b) , or (b) the MidCon Assets shall have been sold in compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement, including Section 9.12(d) ; provided that if the “as of” date of the sale of the MidCon Assets occurs on or before the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter and the Borrower has not, before the date on which the sale of the MidCon Assets is consummated, delivered the Financial Officer’s certificate required by Section 8.01(c) , then the Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date shall be deemed to be the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter.  For the sake of clarity, if no Subordinated Notes are issued on the Closing Date, then the Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the Closing Date and the covenant set forth in Section 9.01(c) shall be of no force or effect.

 

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period the greater of (a) zero percent (0%) per annum and (b) the ICE Benchmark Administration LIBO rate appearing on Reuters Libor Rates LIBOR01 (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period.  In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the LIBO Rate with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period ; provided that in no event shall the LIBO Rate be less than zero percent (0%) per annum .

 

Lien ” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a financing lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties.  The term “Lien” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations.

 

Loan Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) modified from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.06 , (b) modified from time to time

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pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 12.04(b) or (c) otherwise modified in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Loan Documents ” means the Fee Letter, this Agreement, the Notes, the Assignment Agreement, the Letter of Credit Arrangements, the Letters of Credit and the Security Instruments.

 

Loan Limit ” means for all Lenders the least of (i) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount, (ii) the Borrowing Base and (iii) the Elected Commitment Amount, and for any Lender the least of (x) its Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount, (y) its Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base and (z) its Commitment Amount.

 

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Majority Lenders ” means, at any time while no Loans or Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, Lenders having at greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Elected Commitment Amount; and at any time while any Loans or Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, Lenders holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c) ).

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and the Guarantors taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuer or any Lender under any Loan Document.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means, as of any date, any Domestic Subsidiary that (a) is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and (b) together with its Subsidiaries, owns Property having a fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.

 

Material Indebtedness ” means Debt (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Transactions, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $2,500,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Swap Transactions with a particular counterparty at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Transactions were terminated at such time.

 

Material Swap Transactions ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.01(j) .

 

Maturity Date ” means March 31, 2020.

 

Maximum Credit Amount ” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “ Maximum Credit Amount”, as the same may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with a reduction or termination of the

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Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount pursuant to Section 2.06 or (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by Section 12.04(b) .

 

MidCon Assets ” means all or substantially all of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries located in the States of Oklahoma and Kansas.

 

Minimum Hedge ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(q) . Midstream Adjusted EBITDA ” means the portion of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Midstream Properties of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the most recently ended Rolling Period as reflected in the business segment financial reports prepared by the Borrower and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Sections 8.01(a) and 8.01(b) ; provided that, (i) Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending December 31, 2015, shall equal Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015 multiplied by four (4), (ii) Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending March 31, 2016, shall equal Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the two fiscal quarter periods ending March 31, 2016 multiplied by two (2) and (iii) Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending June 30, 2016, shall equal Adjusted EBITDA for the three fiscal quarter periods ending June 30, 2016 multiplied by four-thirds (4/3).  For purposes of calculating the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA, the general and administrative expenses will be allocated to the Midstream Properties in proportion to the calculated Adjusted EBITDA by business segment prior to deduction of general and administrative expenses.

 

Midstream Attributed Value ” means for any Midstream Properties, the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for such Midstream Properties multiplied by the applicable Midstream Multiplier.

 

Midstream Component ” means the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended Rolling Period multiplied by the applicable Midstream Multiplier.

 

Midstream Multiplier ” means (i) from the First Amendment Effective Date through and including the earlier of (x) the date on which the Borrower actually delivers the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Rolling Period ending December 31, 2015 pursuant to Section 8.01(a) and (y) the date on which the Borrower is required to deliver such consolidated financial statements, 5.00, (ii) from the first Business Day after the earlier of the dates described in clause (i) above through and including the earlier of (x) the date on which the Borrower actually delivers the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Rolling Period ending March 31, 2016 pursuant to Section 8.01(b) and (y) the date on which the Borrower is required to deliver such consolidated financial statements, 4.75, and (iii) from the first Business Day after the earlier of the dates described in clause (ii) above and thereafter, 4.50; provided however, that with respect to each fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2016, if actual natural gas produced from the Dedicated Acreage (as defined in the Catarina Gathering Agreement) flowing through the Midstream Properties acquired in the Catarina Acquisition in such fiscal quarter is less than the Catarina Minimum Quantity for such fiscal quarter, then the otherwise applicable Midstream Multiplier of 4.50 shall be adjusted downward so that the adjusted Midstream Multiplier applicable to determining the Midstream Component to become effective on the first Business Day following the date on which the consolidated financial statements for the Rolling Period ending on the last day of such quarter

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are due or are actually delivered, bears the same proportion to the (unadjusted) Midstream Multiplier as the actual quantity of natural gas flowing from the Dedicated Acreage through the Midstream Properties acquired in the Catarina Acquisition during such fiscal quarter bears to the Catarina Minimum Quantity for such fiscal quarter. 

 

Midstream Properties ” means all Properties used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in (i) gathering, compressing, treating, processing and transporting natural gas, crude, condensate and natural gas liquids (ii) fractionating and transporting natural gas, crude, condensate and natural gas liquids, (iii) marketing natural gas, crude, condensate and natural gas liquids, and (iv) water distribution, supply, treatment and disposal services, including without limitation, gathering lines, pipelines, storage facilities, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes related to each of the foregoing and classified by the Borrower as part of its midstream business in its business segment financial reports prepared by the Borrower and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Sections 8.01(a) and 8.01(b) .

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

Mortgaged Property ” means any Property owned by the Borrower or any Guarantor which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Mortgages.

 

Mortgages ” means the mortgages and/or deeds of trust subjecting the Property of the Borrower or any Guarantor to Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Swap Counterparties.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001 (a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Multiple Employer Plan ” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

Net Revenue Interest ” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the decimal or percentage share of production from or allocable to such Oil and Gas Property, after deduction of all overriding royalties and other burdens (including lessor royalties), that an owner of a Working Interest is entitled to receive.

 

New Midstream Component Notice ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(h).

 

New RBL Component Notice ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b) .

 

Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 12.02 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

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Non-Defaulting Lender ” means a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender or an Impacted Lender.

 

Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.02(d) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A , together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

 

Obligations ” means (a) all principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and other amounts payable by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including without limitation, the Letter of Credit Exposure and (b) all obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing to any Swap Counterparty under any Swap Transaction.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Hedge Obligations shall not be an Obligation of any Guarantor that is not a Qualified ECP Obligor.

 

Obligor ” means, as the context may require, (a) the Borrower or (b) a Guarantor.

 

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including , without limitation , all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests , but excluding any Hydrocarbons bought and/or sold pursuant to the Borrower’s Hydrocarbon gathering, processing and transportation businesses ; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing , but excluding, in each case, all Midstream Properties .

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OPA ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Environmental Laws”.

 

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 5.06 ) .

 

Palmetto Acquisition ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the second recital Recitals .

 

Palmetto Acquisition Documents ” means, collectively, the Palmetto PSA and all schedules, exhibits, annexes and amendments thereto and all side letters and agreements affecting the terms thereof or entered into in connection therewith (including any Swap Agreement or novation thereof), together with all bills of sale, assignments, agreements, instruments and other documents executed, made or delivered by any Person in connection with the Palmetto Acquisition, in each case in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Palmetto Buyer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the second recital Recitals .

 

Palmetto PSA ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the second recital Recitals .

 

Palmetto Seller ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the second recital Recitals .

 

Palmetto Reserve Report ” means the reserve report concerning Oil and Gas Properties to be acquired by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the Palmetto PSA and derived from the reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company L.P. for Sanchez Energy Corp. SN , effective as of December 31, 2014.

 

Parent Company ” means, with respect to a Lender, the bank holding company (as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation Y), if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.

 

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(c)(i) .

 

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(c)(iii) .

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.

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Pension Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan, but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Permitted Holders ” means (a) Antonio R. Sanchez, III, Eduardo A. Sanchez, Patricio D. Sanchez, Ana Lee Sanchez Jacobs, and A.R. Sanchez, Jr., (b) any spouse or descendant of any individual named in (a), (c) any other natural person who is related to, or who has been adopted by, any such individual or such individual’s spouse referenced in (a)-(b) above within the second degree of kinship, (d) any member of SP Holdings and (e) any Person Controlled by any one or more of the foregoing.

 

Permitted Refinancing Debt ” means Debt (for purposes of this definition, “new Debt”) incurred in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refinance, all or any portion of the Unsecured Notes (the “Refinanced Debt”); provided that (a) the portion of such new Debt incurred to refinance the Refinanced Debt is in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Refinanced Debt (or, if the Refinanced Debt is exchanged or acquired for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount), (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Debt refinanced, and (iii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such exchange or refinancing; (b) such new Debt has a stated maturity no earlier than the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date and an average life no shorter than the period beginning on the date of incurrence of such new Debt and ending on the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date; (c) such new Debt does not contain covenants and Events of Default that are, taken as a whole, more onerous to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than those imposed by the Refinanced Debt (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner); (d) the stated interest or coupon rate of such new Debt is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and (e) such new Debt (and any Guarantees in respect thereof) is unsecured.

 

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan, but excluding a Multiemployer Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Pledge and Security Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of the Closing Date executed by the Borrower and each of the Guarantors existing on the Closing Date, in favor of the Collateral Agent, which amends and restates that certain Second Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of May 30, 2013, by and among the Borrower and each of the Guarantors in favor of Société Générale, for the benefit of Lenders and Swap Counterparties, and any supplements thereto executed by any Guarantor pursuant to Section 8.13(b) , each as amended, restated, modified and supplemented from time to time.

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Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights (including but not limited to Swap Agreements).

 

Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b) .

 

Proposed RBL Component Notice ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b) .

 

Proved Developed Nonproducing Reserves ” means Oil and Gas Properties that are categorized as “Proved Reserves” that are both “Developed” and “Nonproducing”, as such terms are defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Proved Developed Producing Reserves ” means Oil and Gas Properties that are categorized as “Proved Reserves” that are both “Developed” and “Producing”, as such terms are defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Proved Reserves ” means Oil and Gas Properties that are categorized as “Proved Reserves” in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Proved Undeveloped Reserves ” means Oil and Gas Properties that are categorized as “Proved Reserves” that are “Undeveloped Reserves”, as such terms are defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Qualified ECP Obligor ” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Obligor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time such Swap Obligation is incurred or such other person as at such time constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

 

RBL Component ” means at any time an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Sections 2.07(b) through (e) as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07(f) and Section 2.07(g) .

 

RBL Component Properties ” means the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report.

 

RBL Component Redetermination ” means a Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination or an Interim RBL Component Redetermination.

 

RBL Swap Transactions ” means all commodity Swap Transactions entered into by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries related to Oil and Gas Properties.

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RBL Redetermination Date ” means, with respect to any Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination or any Interim RBL Component Redetermination, the date that the redetermined RBL Component related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.07(b).

 

Recipient ” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, or any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Obligor hereunder.

 

  Redemption ” means with respect to any Debt, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment or defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of any such Debt.  “Redeem” has the correlative meaning thereto.

 

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(b)(iv) .

 

Reimbursement Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(f) .

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Remedial Work ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10(a) .

 

Replacement Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06 .

 

Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

 

Required Lenders ” means, at any time while no Loans or Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, Lenders having at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Elected Commitment Amount; and at any time while any Loans or Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c) ).

 

Reserve Report ” means the Initial Reserve Report and each other report setting forth, as of each December 31st or June 30 th (or such other date as required pursuant to Section 2.07 and the other provisions of this Agreement), the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, severance and ad valorem taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, consistent with SEC reporting requirements at the time, provided that each such report hereafter delivered must (a) separately report on the Proved Developed Producing Reserves, Proved Developed Nonproducing Reserves and Proved Undeveloped Reserves of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (b) take into account the Borrower’s or its Consolidated Subsidiaries’ (or the prior owner’s, if the Borrower or Consolidated Subsidiaries  have owned such Oil and Gas Properties for less than one year prior to the date of the report) actual experiences with leasehold operating expenses and other costs in determining projected leasehold operating expenses and other costs, (c) identify and take into

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account any “overproduced” or “under-produced” status under gas balancing arrangements and (d) reflect recent information and analysis comparable in scope to that contained in the Initial Reserve Report.

 

Responsible Officer ” means, as to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Financial Officer of such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and its Letter of Credit Exposure at such time.

 

Rolling Period ” means for any date of determination, the most recent four fiscal quarters ended on such date.

 

Sanctions ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.26(a) .

 

Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(h) .

 

Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).  

 

Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination Date ” means the date on which an RBL Component that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.07(b) .

 

Secured Parties ” means the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuer and any Swap Counterparty, and each of their respective successors, transferees and assigns, in the case of the Lenders and the Issuer, as permitted by this Agreement.

 

Security Instruments ” means the Guarantee Agreement, Pledge and Security Agreement, Mortgages, and other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit C , and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Person in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Obligations.

 

Senior Secured Net Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and the Letter of Credit Exposure less Available Cash.

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SN ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

SN Catarina ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

SOG ” means Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

SP Holdings ” means SP Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board).  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Subordinated Note ” means the Initial Subordinated Note and any additional notes issued as payment in kind of interest on such Initial Subordinated Note or any other Subordinated Note in each case in accordance with the terms thereof. 

 

Subsidiary ” means: (a) any Person of which at least a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, manager or other governing body of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any other class or classes of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or Controlled by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries or by the Borrower and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (b) any partnership of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.  Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, and in any event, any other agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement; provided, that options, warrants, rights and other

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similar interests in respect of Equity Interests in the Borrower shall not constitute Swap Agreements for purposes of Section 9.17 .

 

Swap Counterparty ” means, as applicable, any Person that (a) was a party to a particular Swap Transaction with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at the time it became a Lender under the Credit Agreement, or (b) was a Lender or an Existing Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender or an Existing Lender) at the time it became a party to a particular Swap Transaction with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Swap Obligation ” of any Person means all obligations (including, without limitation, any amounts which accrue after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law with respect to such Person, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim under any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) of such Person in respect of any Swap Transaction.

 

Swap Transaction ” means any trade or other transaction entered into by a Person under a Swap Agreement.

 

Synthetic Leases ” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the financial statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 80% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Termination Date ” means the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Loan Commitments pursuant to Sections 2.06 or 10.02 .

 

Total Net Debt ” means Debt less Available Cash.

 

Transactions ” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, and the grant of Liens by the Borrower on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments and (b) any Guarantor, the execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Obligations and the other obligations under the Guarantee Agreement by such Guarantor and such Guarantor’s grant of the security interests and provision of Collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.

 

Type ” means, relative to any Loan, the portion thereof, if any, being maintained as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

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U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided   that , if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

 

Unsecured Notes ” means any senior unsecured notes, subordinated unsecured notes or senior subordinated unsecured notes, in each case, issued by the Borrower or a Guarantor in one or more transactions.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Subordinated Notes shall not constitute Unsecured Notes for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Unsecured Notes Documents   means, as applicable, both individually and collectively, any Unsecured Notes and any related Unsecured Notes Indenture.

 

Unsecured Notes Indenture   means, collectively, any indenture by and among the Borrower or a Guarantor, as issuer, the guarantors, if any, party thereto and a trustee, and any and all related documentation entered into in connection therewith, pursuant to which Unsecured Notes shall have been issued, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by Governmental Requirements), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Borrower or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or are owned by the Borrower and one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

Working Interest ” means the property interest which entitles the owner thereof to explore and develop certain land for oil and gas production purposes, whether under an oil and gas lease or unit, a compulsory pooling order or otherwise.

 

Section 1.03 Terms Generally .  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents herein), (b) any reference herein to any law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents herein), (d) the words

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“herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to and including” and (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement.  No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

 

Section 1.04 Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP .  Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements except for changes in which the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to Administrative Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(a) ; provided that, unless the Borrower and the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing, no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants contained herein is computed such that all such computations shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented consistently with prior periods.

 

ARTICLE II.
THE CREDITS

 

Section 2.01 Loan Commitments .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Loans to the Borrower during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding the lesser of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base and such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount Loan Limit or (b) the Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount Loan Limit .  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow the Loans.

 

Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings .

 

(a) Borrowings; Several Obligations .  Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Loan Commitments Applicable Percentage .  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Loan Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b) Types of Loans .  Each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.  Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of

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such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c) Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings .  At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000.  At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount Loan Limit or that is required to finance the reimbursement of a Letter of Credit Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.08(e) .  Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of six (6) Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

 

(d) Notes .  The Loans made by each Lender shall, if requested by such Lender in writing, be evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A , dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, as of the effective date of the Assignment and Assumption, payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount as in effect on such date, and otherwise duly completed.  In the event that any Lender’s Maximum Credit Commitment Amount increases or decreases for any reason (whether pursuant to Section 2.06 ,   Section 12.04(b) or otherwise), the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered on the effective date of such increase or decrease, a new Note payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount after giving effect to such increase or decrease, and otherwise duly completed and the affected Lender shall deliver the Note being replaced to the Borrower immediately.  The date, amount, interest rate and Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be endorsed by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender.  Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

 

Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings .  To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone, email or facsimile request or by delivery of a written Borrowing Request not later than (a) Noon, New York time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of Eurodollar Borrowings, or (b) 11:00 a.m. New York time on the same Business Day, in the case of ABR Borrowings.  Each such telephonic, email or facsimile request not evidenced by delivery of a written Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E .  Each such telephonic, email, facsimile or written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

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(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii) in the case of Eurodollar Borrowings, the initial Interest Period to be applicable to such Borrowing, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

(iv) the amount of the then effective Borrowing Base, the current Revolving Credit Exposures (without regard to the requested Borrowing) and the pro forma Revolving Credit Exposures (giving effect to the requested Borrowing); and

 

(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05 .

 

In the case of Eurodollar Borrowings, if no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Each Borrowing Request shall constitute a representation that the amount of the requested Borrowing shall not cause the Revolving Credit Exposures to exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount and the then effective Borrowing Base Loan Limit then in effect .

 

Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03 , the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04 Interest Elections

 

(a) Continuance .  Each Eurodollar Borrowing initially shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to continue such Borrowing and may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.04 .  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(b) Interest Election Requests .  To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.04 , the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 .  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F and signed by the Borrower.

 

(c) Information in Interest Election Requests .  Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

 

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions

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thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(iii) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day; and

 

(iii) the Interest Period to be applicable to such Borrowing after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d) Notice to Lenders by the Administrative Agent .  Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e) Effect of Failure to Deliver Timely Interest Election Request and Events of Default and Borrowing Base Deficiencies on Interest Election .  If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall be continued as a Loan having an Interest Period of one month.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default or a Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing, then no outstanding Borrowing may be continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing (and any Interest Election Request that requests the continuation of any Borrowing shall be ineffective).

 

Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowing .

 

(a) Funding by Lenders .  Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., New York time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower (or, in the case of the initial Borrowing on the Closing Date, to an account of the Palmetto Seller designated by the Borrower) in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that Loans made to finance the reimbursement of a Letter of Credit Disbursement as provided in Section 2.08(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuer that made such Letter of Credit Disbursement.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

(b) Presumption of Funding by the Lenders .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Advance that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.05(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make

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available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

Section 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or Elected Commitment Amount .

 

(a) Scheduled Termination of Loan Commitments .  Unless previously terminated, the Loan Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.  If at any time the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or , the Borrowing Base or the Elected Commitment Amount is terminated or reduced to zero, then the Loan Commitments shall terminate on the effective date of such termination or reduction.

 

(b) Optional Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts and Elected Commitment Amount; Increase in Elected Commitment Amount .

 

(i) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount ; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (B) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.03(c) , the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the Total Commitments lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount and the Elected Commitment Amount .

 

(ii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount under Section 2.06(b)(i) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be irrevocable.  Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount shall be permanent and may not be reinstated except in accordance with Section 2.06(c) .  Each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or the Elected Commitment Amount shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage.

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(c) Elected Commitment Amount.  (i) The initial Elected Commitment Amount on the First Amendment Effective Date shall be $200,000,000.  Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(c)(ii) , the Borrower may increase the Elected Commitment Amount then in effect by increasing the Commitment Amount of a Lender (an “ Increasing Lender ”) or by causing a Person that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuer and at such time is not a Lender to become a Lender (an “ Additional Lender ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no case shall an Additional Lender be the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower.

 

(ii) Any increase in the Elected Commitment Amount shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(1) such increase shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents, and no such increase shall be permitted if after giving effect thereto the Elected Commitment Amount exceeds the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount then in effect;

 

(2) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the effective date of such increase;

 

(3) if any Eurodollar Borrowings shall be outstanding on the effective date of such increase, then on the effective date of such increase the Borrower pays any compensation required by Section 5.02 ;

 

(4) no Lender’s Commitment Amount may be increased without the consent of such Lender;

 

(5) if the Borrower elects to increase the Elected Commitment Amount by increasing the Commitment Amount of a Lender, the Borrower and such Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G (a “ Commitment Increase Agreement ”); and

 

(6) if the Borrower elects to increase the Elected Commitment Amount by causing an Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement, then the Borrower and such Additional Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative  Agent a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H (an “ Additional Lender Agreement ”), together with an Administrative Questionnaire and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Borrower shall (1) if requested by the Additional Lender, deliver a Note payable to the order of such Additional Lender in a principal amount equal to such Additional Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount, and otherwise duly completed and (2) pay any applicable fees as may have been agreed to between the Borrower, the Additional Lender and/or the Administrative Agent.

 

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to Section 2.06(c)(iv) , from and after the effective date specified in the Commitment Increase Agreement or the Additional Lender Agreement: (A) the amount of the Elected

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Commitment Amount shall be increased as set forth therein, and (B) in the case of an Additional Lender Agreement, any Additional Lender party thereto shall be a party to this Agreement and have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  In addition, the Increasing Lender or the Additional Lender, as applicable, shall purchase a pro rata portion of the outstanding Loans (and participation interests in Letters of Credit) of each of the other Lenders (and such Lenders hereby agree to sell and to take all such further action to effectuate such sale) such that each Lender (including any Increasing Lender and any Additional Lender, as applicable) shall hold its Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Loans (and participation interests) after giving effect to the increase in the Elected Commitment Amount.

 

(iv) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Commitment Increase Agreement or an Additional Lender Agreement, executed by the Borrower and the Lender or by the Borrower and the Additional Lender party thereto, as applicable, the processing and recording fee referred to in Section 2.06(c)(ii) and the Administrative Questionnaire referred to in Section 2.06(c)(ii) , if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Commitment Increase Agreement or Additional Lender Agreement and record the information contained therein in the Register required to be maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 12.04(b)(iv) .  No increase in the Elected Commitment Amount shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 2.06(c)(iv) .

 

(v) Upon any increase in the Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) , (A) each Lender’s Applicable Percentage shall be automatically deemed amended to the extent necessary so that each such Lender’s Applicable Percentage equals the percentage of the Elected Commitment Amount represented by such Lender’s Commitment Amount, in each case after giving effect to such increase, (B) Annex I shall be deemed amended to reflect any changes in the Applicable Percentages of the Lenders other than any Increasing Lenders or Additional Lenders pursuant to the foregoing clause (A), and (C) Annex I to this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect the Applicable Percentage and Commitment Amount of any Increasing Lender and any Additional Lender.

 

Section 2.07 Borrowing Base .  As further set forth in clauses (a) and (h) of this Section 2.07 , for the period from and including the First Amendment Effective Date until redetermined or recalculated in accordance with this Agreement, the initial Borrowing Base is $200,000,000.

 

(a) RBL Component.  For the period from and including the Closing First Amendment Effective Date to but excluding the date of the first determination of the Borrowing Base Redetermination Date thereafter pursuant to the further provisions of this Section 2.07 ,   Section 2.07,   the initial amount of the Borrowing Base RBL Component has been set by the Administrative Agent and acknowledged by the Borrower and agreed to by the Lenders to be $ 110,000,000. 62,500,000.  The Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the initial Borrowing Base has been determined as of the First Amendment Effective Date as if the Borrower and its Subsidiaries no longer own (and accordingly, without giving any value in the RBL Component to) the MidCon Assets.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the RBL Component may be subject to further adjustments pursuant to Section 2.07(f) and Section 2.07(g) from time to time

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prior to the first Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination.  For each and every determination or redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component under this Agreement, the Borrowing Base RBL Component shall be determined or redetermined based on the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

(b) The RBL Component shall be redetermined semi-annually in accordance with this Section 2.07(b) (a “ Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination ”).  Promptly after December 31 of each calendar year, commencing December 31, 2015, and in any event prior to April 1st of each calendar year (commencing April 1, 2016), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, prepared by an Approved Engineer, which Reserve Report shall be dated as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year.  In addition, within ninety (90) days after each June 30, commencing June 30, 2015, 2016, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prepared by the Borrower’s petroleum engineers, which report shall be dated as of June 30 of such calendar year.  Each such Reserve Report shall be accompanied by additional data concerning pricing, hedging, quantities and purchasers of production, and other information and engineering and geological data as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.  Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such Reserve Report and all such information, the Administrative Agent shall make an initial determination of the new Borrowing Base RBL Component (the “ Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component ”) and upon such initial determination shall promptly notify the Lenders in writing of its initial determination of the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component (the “ Proposed RBL Component Notice ”) .  Such initial determinations made by the Administrative Agent shall be so made by the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its sole discretion in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary practices and standards for oil and gas lending as they exist at the particular time, and may include a consideration of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties that are subject to legal, valid and enforceable mortgage liens held by the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders.  In no event shall the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component exceed the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount of the Lenders .  The Required Lenders shall approve or reject the Administrative Agent’s initial determinations of the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component by written notice to the Administrative Agent within fifteen (15) days of the Administrative Agent’s notification of its initial determinations; provided, however, that with respect to any Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component that is equal to or less than the Borrowing Base RBL Component then in effect (but not with respect to any increase in the Borrowing Base RBL Component ) the failure by any Lender to confirm or disapprove in writing the Administrative Agent’s determination of the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component shall be deemed an approval of the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component .  If the Required Lenders fail to approve any such determination of the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component made by the Administrative Agent hereunder in such fifteen (15) day period, then the Administrative Agent shall poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component then acceptable to the Required Lenders for purposes of this Section 2.07(b) and, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.07(b) , such amounts shall become the new Borrowing Base RBL Component , effective on the date specified in this Section 2.07 .  Until such approval or deemed approval, the Borrowing Base RBL Component in effect before the Proposed Borrowing Base RBL Component shall remain in effect.  Upon agreement by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders of the new Borrowing Base RBL Component , the Administrative Agent shall, by written

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notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, designate the new Borrowing Base RBL Component available to the Borrower (the “ New RBL Component Notice ”) .  Such designation shall be effective as of the Business Day specified in such written notice (or, if no effective date is specified in such written notice, the next Business Day following delivery of such written notice), and such new Borrowing Base RBL Component shall remain in effect until the next determination or redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component in accordance with this Agreement.  Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, any determination or redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component resulting in any increase of the Borrowing Base RBL Component in effect immediately prior to such determination or redetermination shall require the approval of all the Lenders in their sole discretion in accordance with their respective customary practices and standards for oil and gas lending as they exist at the particular time, and may include a consideration of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties that are subject to legal, valid and enforceable mortgage liens held by the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders.

 

(c) In addition to each scheduled redetermination of the Borrowing Base Scheduled RBL Component pursuant to Section 2.07(b) (and in addition to any redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component pursuant to Section Sections 2.07(f) and (g) ), the Borrower may by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, and the Administrative Agent may, at the direction of the Required Lenders, by notifying the Borrower thereof, each elect to cause the Borrowing Base RBL Component to be redetermined once between each scheduled Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination (an “ Interim RBL Component Redetermination ”) pursuant to Section 2.07(b) .  If such discretionary redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07(c) is initiated by the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver a written request to the Administrative Agent together with a Reserve Report in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, prepared by the Borrower’s petroleum engineers, containing information similar to the Reserve Reports delivered pursuant to Section 2.07(b) , and such other updated engineering, production, operating and other data as the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any Lender may reasonably request; provided that if the Required Lenders have requested the discretionary redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07(c) , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent such Reserve Report and other information within thirty (30) days of receipt of a request therefor.  The Administrative Agent shall have fifteen (15) days following receipt of such requested information to make an initial redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component , and the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall approve and designate the new Borrowing Base RBL Component in accordance with the procedures and standards described in Section 2.07(b) .

 

(d) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that, to the best of such Responsible Officer’s knowledge and in all material respects: (i) the information contained in each such Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the Borrower or the Guarantors owns good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in each such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03 , (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.20 with respect to their Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report that would require the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver Hydrocarbons either

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generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been transferred since the date of the last Borrowing Base RBL Component determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report that the Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.20 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof, (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and demonstrating the percentage of the present value that such Mortgaged Properties represent, and (vii) the outstanding amount of the Debt of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries does not exceed the amount permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 9.02(f) .

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein the contrary, in the event that the Borrower does not furnish any required Reserve Report within ten (10) days of date the required herein, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders may nonetheless designate the Borrowing Base RBL Component from time to time thereafter until the Administrative Agent receives such Reserve Report, whereupon the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as applicable, shall designate a new Borrowing Base RBL Component in accordance with the general procedures outlined in Section 2.07(b) .

 

(f) In addition to any redetermination described in Section 2.07(b) or (c) , if at any time the aggregate fair market value of Oil and Gas Properties sold or disposed of pursuant to Section 9.12(d) , together with the aggregate net fair market value to the Borrower of all Material Swap Transactions, in each case, since the most recent redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component , exceeds five percent (5%) of the value of proved developed Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, then the Administrative Agent may, at the direction of the Required Lenders, by notifying the Borrower thereof, reduce the Borrowing Base RBL Component , effective immediately upon such sale, disposition or consummation of Material Swap Transaction by an amount equal to the Borrowing Base RBL Component value (as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment) of such Oil and Gas Properties sold or disposed of and Swap Transactions in respect of commodities assigned, terminated (other than as a result of the expiration thereof), unwound, sold or liquidated, and such new Borrowing Base RBL Component shall be effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders until the next redetermination or modification of the Borrowing Base RBL Component pursuant to this Agreement.  Upon any such redetermination, the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a New Borrowing Base RBL Component Notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.  So long as the Borrower has not affirmatively elected to include the MidCon Assets in the determination of the RBL Component, any sale or other disposition of the MidCon Assets otherwise permitted under Section 9.12(d) shall not result in a reduction in the RBL Component.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 12.02(b)(ii) , any decrease of the Borrowing Base RBL Component resulting solely as a result of any incurrence of Debt incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 9.02(f) shall become effective upon

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the Administrative Agent’s notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders, and shall not require any approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders.

 

(h) Midstream Component.  For the period from and including the First Amendment Effective Date to but excluding the first Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation pursuant to this Section 2.07(h) , the amount of the initial Midstream Component shall be $137,500,000.

 

(i) Scheduled Recalculations of the Midstream Component.  The Adjusted Midstream EBITDA (and hence the Midstream Component of the Borrowing Base) shall be recalculated quarterly (each such recalculation, a “ Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation ”) in connection with the delivery of the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 8.01(a) and Section 8.01(b) and the compliance certificate pursuant to Section 8.01(c) , and shall be equal to the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period to which such consolidated financial statements and compliance certificate relate multiplied by the Midstream Multiplier that becomes applicable (in accordance with the definition of Midstream Multiplier) on the first Business Day following delivery (or in the case of the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015 or the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2016, if earlier, the respective due date for delivery) of such consolidated financial statements and compliance certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the recalculated Midstream Component (the “ New Midstream Component Notice ”) and the resulting new Borrowing Base, and such amount shall become the new Midstream Component and the Borrowing Base, respectively, and shall be effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders on the next Business Day following the day such financial statements are delivered.

 

(ii) Pro Forma Adjustments to Midstream Component.  Pro forma adjustments, as reasonably determined by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent, shall be made to Adjusted Midstream EBITDA (and hence the Midstream Component of the B orrowing Base) between Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculations for (A) acquisitions of Midstream Properties having,   individually or in the aggregate, a Midstream Attributed Value in excess of five percent (5%) of then effective Midstream Component since the last recalculation pursuant to Section 2.07(h)(i) , and (B) sales or dispositions of Midstream Properties if the aggregate Midstream Attributed Value of Midstream Properties sold since the last recalculation of the Midstream Component exceeds five percent (5%) of the Midstream Component then in effect.  Upon the Administrative Agent’s approval of any such pro forma adjustments, the Midstream Component shall be recalculated using the applicable Midstream Multiplier and the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the adjusted Midstream Component and the resulting new Borrowing Base.  The adjusted Midstream Component and the Borrowing Base, respectively, shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders as of the day of such notice.

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Section 2.08 Letters of Credit .

 

(a) General .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the Issuer to issue Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of any of its Subsidiaries, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such Issuer, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period; provided that the Borrower may not request the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit hereunder if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time or would exist as a result thereof.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuer relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(b) N otice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions .  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall deliver as permitted by Section 12.01(a) (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuer) to the Issuer and the Administrative Agent (not less than five (5) Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice in the form of Exhibit G I :

 

(i) requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit or identifying the Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer to be amended, renewed or extended;

 

(ii) specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day);

 

(iii) specifying the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 2.08(c) );

 

(iv) specifying the amount of such Letter of Credit;

 

(v) specifying the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit; and

 

(vi) specifying the amount of the then effective Borrowing Base and whether a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time, the current Revolving Credit Exposures (without regard to the requested Letter of Credit or the requested amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit) and the pro forma Revolving Credit Exposures (giving effect to the requested Letter of Credit or the requested amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit).

 

Each notice shall constitute a representation that after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, as applicable, (i) the Letter of Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount and the then effective Borrowing Base Loan Limit .

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If requested by the Issuer, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuer’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.

 

(c) Expiration Date .  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one (1) year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one (1) year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(d) Participations .  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuer that issues such Letter of Credit or the Lenders, each Issuer that issues a Letter of Credit hereunder hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuer, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuer that issues a Letter of Credit hereunder, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each Letter of Credit Disbursement made by such Issuer and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.08(e) , or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this Section 2.08(d) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default, the existence of a Borrowing Base Deficiency or reduction or termination of the Loan Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

(e) Reimbursement .  If the Issuer shall make any Letter of Credit Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer, the Borrower shall reimburse such Letter of Credit Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuer   at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, an amount equal to such Letter of Credit Disbursement not later than 12:00 p.m., New York time, on the day such Letter of Credit Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such Letter of Credit Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 2:00 p.m., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if such Letter of Credit Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower shall, subject to the conditions to Borrowing set forth herein, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrower does hereby request under such circumstances, that such payment be financed with an ABR Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Loan.  If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable Letter of Credit Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit the amounts so received by it from

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the Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) , the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) to reimburse such Issuer, then to such Lenders and such Issuer as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) to reimburse the Issuer for any Letter of Credit Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Letter of Credit Disbursement.  Any Letter of Credit Disbursement not reimbursed by the Borrower or funded as a Loan prior to 2:00 p.m., New York time, shall bear interest for such day at the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(f) Obligations Absolute .  The obligation (a “ Reimbursement Obligation ”) of the Borrower to reimburse Letter of Credit Disbursements as provided in Section 2.08(e) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuer under a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or any Letter of Credit Agreement, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.08(f) , constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuer, nor any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuer; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuer from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by Governmental Requirements) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuer’s failure to exercise commercially reasonable care when issuing Letters of Credit and determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof or suffered by the Borrower as a result of Issuer’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of  the Issuer (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuer shall be deemed to have exercised all requisite care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

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(g) Disbursement Procedures .  Each Issuer shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer.  Such Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuer has made or will make a Letter of Credit Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuer and the Lenders with respect to any such Letter of Credit Disbursement.

 

(h) Interim Interest .  If the Issuer shall make any Letter of Credit Disbursement, then, until the Borrower shall have reimbursed such Issuer for such Letter of Credit Disbursement (either with its own funds or a Borrowing under Section 2.08(e) ), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such Letter of Credit Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such Letter of Credit Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans.  Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.08(h) shall be for the account of such Issuer, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08(e) to reimburse such Issuer shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i) Replacement of an Issuer .   The Issuer may be replaced or resign at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such resigning or replaced Issuer and, in the case of a replacement, the successor Issuer.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such resignation or replacement of an Issuer.  At the time any such resignation or replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the resigning or replaced Issuer pursuant to Section 3.04(b) .  In the case of the replacement of an Issuer, from and after the effective date of such replacement, (i) the successor Issuer shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the “Issuer” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuer, or to such successor and all previous Issuers, as the context shall require.  After the resignation or replacement of an Issuer hereunder, the resigning or replaced Issuer shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(j) Cash Collateralization .  If (i) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.08(j) , (ii) the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize a Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to Section 2.10(d) or (e) or (iii) the Borrower is required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to a Letter of Credit Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to Section 3.03(c) , then the Borrower shall deposit, in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders (such account, the “ Cash Collateral Account ”), an amount in cash equal to, in the case of an Event of Default or a Cash Collateralization pursuant to Section 2.10(d) , the Letter of Credit Exposure, and in the case of a payment required by Section 3.03(c) , the amount of such excess as provided in Section 3.03(c) , as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such

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deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) .  The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Issuer and the Lenders, an exclusive first priority and continuing perfected security interest in and Lien on such account and all cash, checks, drafts, certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time deposited or held in such account, all deposits or wire transfers made thereto, any and all investments purchased with funds deposited in such account, all interest, dividends, cash, instruments, financial assets and other Property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise payable in respect of, or in exchange for, any or all of the foregoing, and all proceeds, products, accessions, rents, profits, income and benefits therefrom, and any substitutions and replacements therefor.  The Borrower’s obligation to deposit amounts pursuant to this Section 2.08(j) shall be absolute and unconditional, without regard to whether any beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit has attempted to draw down all or a portion of such amount under the terms of a Letter of Credit, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Governmental Requirements, shall not be subject to any defense or be affected by a right of set-off, counterclaim or recoupment which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may now or hereafter have against any such beneficiary, the Issuer, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Person for any reason whatsoever.  Such deposit shall be held as collateral securing the payment and performance of the Borrower’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse, on a pro rata basis, each Issuer for Letter of Credit Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the Letter of Credit Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors, if any, under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, and the Borrower is not otherwise required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to a Letter of Credit Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to Section 3.03(c) , then such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

Section 2.09 Intentionally Omitted .

 

Section 2.10 Defaulting Lenders or Impacted Lenders .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender, as the case may be, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender, as the case may be:

 

(a) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to ARTICLE X or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro

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rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuer hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the Issuer’s fronting exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.08(j) ;   fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuer’s future fronting exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.08(j) ;   sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Issuer as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuer against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or Letter of Credit Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and Letter of Credit Disbursements owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or Letter of Credit Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit Agreements are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Facility without giving effect to Section 2.10(d).  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.10(a) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(b) fees shall cease to accrue on the unused amount of such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 3.04(a) and no fees shall be payable to such Defaulting Lender upon an increase in the Borrowing Base if such Lender is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (d) of the definition thereof;

 

(c) the Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Elected Commitment Amount or Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Majority Lenders or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 12.02 );

 

(d) if any Letter of Credit Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender then:

 

(i) all or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in

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accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that as a result thereof (x) the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposure plus such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure would not exceed the Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentage of the lesser of (A) the existing Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base Loan Limit then in effect, (y) the sum of each Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure plus such Non-Defaulting Lender’s share under this clause (i) of such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure would not exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the lesser of (A) the existing Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base Loan Limit then in effect and (z) the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 are satisfied at such time ;   provided   however , no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation ;  

 

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within three (3) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent Cash Collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s or such Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.08(j) for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii) if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.10(d) , the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender pursuant to Section 3.04(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s or Impacted Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is Cash Collateralized; and

 

(iv) if the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.10(d) , then the fees payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to Section 3.04 (b) shall be adjusted to give effect to such reallocations in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages;

 

(e) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or an Impacted Lender, the Issuer shall not be required to issue, extend, renew, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Loan Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or Cash Collateralized in accordance with this Section 2.10(e) (and, if applicable, Section 2.08(j) ), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.10(d)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders or Impacted Lenders shall not participate therein); and

 

(f) any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise and including any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 4.01(c) but excluding Section 5.06 ) shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, subject to any Governmental Requirements,

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(i) first, be applied to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second, to the payment of any amounts then owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuer hereunder, and (iii) third, any remaining funds to be held in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to any future funding obligations of such Defaulting Lender hereunder or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(g) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and the Issuer agree in writing, that a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender, then the Revolving Credit Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted and reallocated to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Loan Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans and participations in Letters of Credit of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans and participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage after giving effect to such reallocation; provided however ; that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender; and provided ,   further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender or Impacted Lender .  In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and the Issuer agrees that an Impacted Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be an Impacted Lender, then the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted and reallocated on such date such that the Impacted Lender shall purchase at par participations in Letters of Credit from the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage after giving effect to such reallocation.

 

(h)

 

ARTICLE III.
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES

 

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans .  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

 

Section 3.02 Interest .

 

(a) ABR Loans .  Each ABR Loan comprising an ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

(b) Eurodollar Loans .  Each Eurodollar Loan comprising a Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Eurodollar Loan plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

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(c) Post-Default and Borrowing Base Deficiency Rate .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and including any payments in respect of a Borrowing Base Deficiency under Section 3.03(c) , then all Loans outstanding, in the case of an Event of Default, and such overdue amount, in the case of a failure to pay amounts when due, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at the Alternate Base Rate plus two percent (2%), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, and (ii) following Administrative Agent’s notice of any Borrowing Base Deficiency pursuant to Section 3.03(c) , the amount of such Borrowing Base Deficiency shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at the rate then applicable to such Loans, plus the Applicable Margin, if any, plus an additional two percent (2%), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

(d) Interest Payment Dates .  Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on: (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December; (ii) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part, and (iii) in any case, on the Termination Date; provided that (w) interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(c)(i) shall be payable on demand, (x) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Termination Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, (y) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion, and (z) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three (3) months, each day that is three months, or a multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period.

 

(e) Interest Rate Computations .  All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and be binding upon the parties hereto.

 

(f) Inability to Determine Interest Rate .  If prior to the first date of any Interest Period:

 

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period, or

 

(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Lenders that the LIBO Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively

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certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period,

 

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans.  Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Loans under the relevant Facility to Eurodollar Loans.

 

Section 3.03 Prepayments .

 

(a) Optional Prepayments .  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.03(b) .

 

(b) Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment .  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 1:00 pm, New York time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 pm, New York time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an Advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02 .  Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing.  Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02 .

 

(c) Mandatory Prepayments .

 

(i) Borrowing Base Deficiency .  If a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists other than as a result of a redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(f) ,   Section 2.07(h)(iii)(B) or Section 9.02(f) , then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower and the Lenders prompt written notice thereof.  The Borrower shall, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice of such condition from the Administrative Agent elect by written notice to the Administrative Agent to take one or more of the following actions to remedy the Borrowing Base Deficiency:

 

(1) prepay Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Exposure in an aggregate amount equal to such deficiency within ten (10) days after the Borrower’s written election;

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(2) if the Borrowing Base Deficiency results from a reduction in the RBL Component, add additional Oil and Gas Properties acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, to the Borrowing Base RBL Component having a value, based on the same valuation methodology approved by the Required Lenders in determining the Borrowing Base RBL Component that was used to value the then existing Oil and Gas Properties, such that the Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within thirty (30) days after the Borrower’s written election; or

 

(3) commencing with the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the date of which the Administrative Agent gave the Borrower notice of such Borrowing Base Deficiency and every thirty days after such thirtieth (30 th ) thereafter (or any such day is not a Business Day, on the next Business Day after such day), pay the Borrowing Base Deficiency in six (6) equal monthly installments for the prepayment of the Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure such that the Borrowing Base Deficiency is eliminated in a period of six (6) months.

 

(ii) Other Borrowing Base Deficiency .  If a Borrowing Base Deficiency results from a redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(f) ,   Section 2.07(h)(iii)(B) or Section 9.02(f) , then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower and the Lenders prompt written notice thereof.  The Borrower shall, promptly following the receipt of the proceeds of the Material Swap Transaction, the sale or disposition of Oil and Gas Properties, the sale or disposition of Midstream Properties, or the issuance of Unsecured Notes, as applicable, but in any event, within one (1) Business Day thereof, pay to the Administrative Agent from such proceeds an amount sufficient to eliminate such Borrowing Base Deficiency.

 

(iii) Reduction of Loan Commitments .  On the date of each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount or Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 2.06 , the Borrower agrees to make a prepayment in respect of the outstanding amount of the Advances to the extent, if any, that the Revolving Credit Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount, as so reduced, and (B) the Borrowing Base Loan Limit .

 

(iv) Accrued Interest .  Each prepayment under this Section 3.03(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 5.02 as a result of such prepayment.

 

(d) No Premium or Penalty .  Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 3.03 shall be without premium or penalty, except as required under Section 5.02 .

 

Section 3.04 Fees .

 

(a) Commitment Fees .  Except as provided in Section 2.10(b) , the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (the

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Commitment Fee ”), which shall accrue at the rate per annum determined based on the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily unused amount of the aggregate of each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base Elected Commitment Amount during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the Termination Date (the face amount of any issued and outstanding Letter of Credit shall count as usage for purposes hereof).  Accrued Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the Termination Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.  All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case such Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(b) Letter of Credit Fees .  Except as provided in Section 2.10(d) , the Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Letter of Credit Exposure; (ii) to the Issuer, for its own account, a fronting fee equal to the greater of $500 or 0.125% of the face amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit; and (iii) to the Issuer, for its own account, its standard fees with respect to the amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date of this Agreement.  Any other fees payable to the Issuer pursuant to this Section 3.04(b) shall be payable within 10 days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case such fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(c) Administrative Agent Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter.

 

(d)

 

ARTICLE IV.
PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS

 

Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

 

(a) Payments by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of Letter of Credit Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01 ,   Section 5.02 ,   Section 5.03  

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or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., New York time, on the date when due (after giving effect to applicable grace periods), in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim.  Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in Section 12.01 , except payments to be made directly to an Issuer as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 5.01 ,   Section 5.02 ,   Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof, and any such payments payable to a Lender shall be made in accordance with such Lender’s Applicable Percentage, unless otherwise provided herein.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

 

(b) Application of Insufficient Payments .  If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed Letter of Credit Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

(c) Sharing of Payments by Lenders .  If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in Letter of Credit Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in Letter of Credit Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in Letter of Credit Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in Letter of Credit Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Letter of Credit Disbursements to any assignee or Participant, other than to the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Governmental Requirements, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to

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such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuer that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or such Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or such Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuer with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

ARTICLE V.
INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY

 

Section 5.01 Increased Costs .

 

(a) Eurodollar Changes in Law .  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves), special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender for Eurocurrency liabilities under Regulation D of the Board (as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time) or otherwise, except to the extent reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate by virtue of the Statutory Reserve Rate; or

 

(ii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b) Capital Requirements .  If any Lender or the Issuer determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuer or such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such

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Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuer or such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c) Certificates .  A certificate of a Lender or the Issuer setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of its request and the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d) Effect of Failure or Delay in Requesting Compensation .  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that no Lender may make any such demand more than 180 days after the Termination Date, nor for any amount which has accrued more than 270 days prior to such Lender or Issuer delivering the certificate required in Section 5.01(c) unless such compensation demand results from a Change in Law that has a retroactive effect, in which case the time periods given above will be extended to take into account such retroactive period.

 

Section 5.02 Break Funding Payments .  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market.

 

A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.02 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

Section 5.03 Taxes .  For purposes of this Section 5.03 , the term “Lender” includes the Issuer and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

(a) Payments Free of Taxes .  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law;

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provided that if the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03(a) ), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuer (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall make such deductions or withholdings and (iii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Governmental Requirements.

 

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Governmental Requirements or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuer, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03 ) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuer as to the amount of such payment or liability under this Section 5.03 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d) Indemnification by the Lenders.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.04(c)(iii) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 5.03(d) .

 

(e) Evidence of Payments .  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or a Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

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(f) Foreign Lenders .  Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of any withholding Tax, with respect to payments made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), (x) on or before the date it becomes a party hereto, (y) thereafter when reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and (z) promptly upon the expiration, obsolescence or invalidity of any previously delivered form, (i) such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by Governmental Requirements or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, including but not limited to appropriate IRS Form W-8 (and any required attachments thereto) or W-9, as applicable (or, in each case, any successor form).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in clause (ii) of this Section 5.03(f) and Section 5.03(g) ) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(g) FATCA .  If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount required to be deducted and withheld from such payment.

 

(h) Refund .  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.03 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to Section 5.03(a) ), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 5.03 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party incurred in connection with such refund and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) if the payment would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. 

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This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

(i) Survival .  Each party’s obligations under this Section 5.03 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

Section 5.04 Designation of Different Lending Office .  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (a) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03 , as the case may be, in the future and (b) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

Section 5.05 Illegality .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its applicable lending office to honor its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans either generally or having a particular Interest Period hereunder, then (a) such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof and such Lender’s obligation to make such Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended (the “ Affected Loans ”) until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain such Eurodollar Loans and (b) all Affected Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be made instead as ABR Loans (and, if such Lender so requests by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, all Affected Loans of such Lender then outstanding shall be automatically converted into ABR Loans on the date specified by such Lender in such notice) and, to the extent that Affected Loans are so made as (or converted into) ABR Loans, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its ABR Loans.

 

Section 5.06 Replacement of a Lender .  If any Lender (an “ Affected Lender ”) (a) makes a demand upon the Borrower for amounts pursuant to Section 5.01 (and the payment of such amounts are, and are likely to continue to be, materially more onerous in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower than with respect to the other Lenders), (b) in connection with any proposed increase in the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.07 refuses to consent to such increase, or (c) any Lender has not approved (or is not deemed to have approved) any amendment to, or waiver of, the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document approved by Administrative Agent and Required Lenders, the Borrower may, within 30 days of receipt by the Borrower of such demand or such non-consent or non-approval, as applicable, give notice (a “ Replacement Notice ”) in writing to the Administrative Agent and such Affected Lender of its intention to cause such Affected Lender to sell all of its Loans, Loan Commitments and/or Notes

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to an Eligible Assignee (a “ Replacement Lender ”) designated in such Replacement Notice; provided, however, that no Replacement Notice may be given by the Borrower and no Lender may be replaced pursuant to this Section 5.06 if (i) such replacement conflicts with any Governmental Requirements or regulation, (ii) any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default that has been waived by the Required Lenders) shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, or (iii) prior to any such replacement, such Affected Lender shall have taken any necessary action under Section 5.04 (if applicable) so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 5.01 or shall, if applicable, have waived its right to payment of the specific amounts that give rise or would give rise to such Replacement Notice (it being understood for sake of clarity that the Affected Lender shall be under no obligation to waive such rights to payment and that such Affected Lender, if it is replaced in accordance with this Section 5.06 , shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all breakage losses in connection with such replacement).  If the Administrative Agent shall in the exercise of its reasonable discretion and within 30 days of its receipt of such Replacement Notice, notify the Borrower and such Affected Lender in writing that the Replacement Lender is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (such consent not being required where the Replacement Lender is already a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Eligible Assignee), then such Affected Lender shall, subject to the payment of any amounts due pursuant to Section 5.02 , assign, in accordance with Section 12.04 , all of its Loan Commitments, Loans, Notes (if any), and other rights and obligations under this Agreement and all other Loan Documents (including Reimbursement Obligations, if applicable) designated in the Replacement Notice to such Replacement Lender; provided, however, that (A) such assignment shall be without recourse, representation or warranty (other than that it has not previously transferred its interest) and shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Affected Lender and such Replacement Lender, (B) the purchase price paid by such Replacement Lender shall be in the amount of such Affected Lender’s Loans designated in the Replacement Notice, and/or its Percentage of outstanding Reimbursement Obligations, as applicable, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect thereof, plus all other amounts (including the amounts demanded and unreimbursed under Section 5.01 ), and (C) the Borrower shall pay to the Affected Lender and the Administrative Agent all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Affected Lender and the Administrative Agent in connection with such assignment and assumption (including the processing fees described in Section 12.04 ).  If the Affected Lender fails to execute an Assignment and Assumption after five Business Days notice from the Administrative Agent, such failure to execute shall not impair the validity of the removal of the Affected Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Affected Lender’s Loan Commitments, Loans, Notes (if any), and other rights and obligations under this Agreement and all of the Loan Documents and such assignment shall be effective without the execution of an Assignment and Assumption by the Affected Lender.  If the Administrative Agent fails to notify the Borrower within 30 days of its receipt of such Replacement Notice that such Replacement Lender is satisfactory, then such Replacement Lender shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.  Upon the effective date of an assignment described above, the Replacement Lender shall become a “Lender” for all purposes under the Loan Documents. 

 

ARTICLE VI.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 6.01 Closing Date .  The obligations of the Lenders to make the initial Loans and of the Issuer to issue Letters of Credit in connection with the initial Borrowing hereunder on the

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Closing Date shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02 ), and the Lenders and the Issuer agree that each of the following conditions have been satisfied or waived as of the Closing Date:

 

(a) The Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the General Partner of the Borrower and of each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of the board of directors or other managing body of the General Partner with respect to the authorization of the Borrower or such Guarantor to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the individuals who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the Borrower (acting through the General Partner) or such Guarantor is a party, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized individuals, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation and bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement, as applicable, of the Borrower, its General Partner and each Guarantor, in each case, certified as being true and complete.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from the Borrower to the contrary.

 

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate state agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Borrower, the General Partner and each Guarantor.

 

(d) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party.

 

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed Notes payable to the order of each Lender that has requested a Note not later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, which Notes shall be in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount (as defined in this Agreement prior to the First Amendment Effective Date) dated as of the date hereof.

 

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments, including the Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Instruments described on Exhibit C .  In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, (i) the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens) on at least 80% of the total value of the Proved Reserves evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have received original stock or membership interest certificates (if such interests are certificated) evidencing all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in each Guarantor, together with the appropriate undated stock powers, or other equivalent instruments of transfer reasonably

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acceptable to the Administrative Agent, for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof; provided that any original stock or membership interest certificates (if any) held by the Existing Agent may be delivered to the Administrative Agent within a reasonable time after the Closing Date.

 

(h) No event or circumstance that could cause a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred.

 

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received: (A) reasonably satisfactory evidence that, upon the consummation of the Transactions, the Palmetto Buyer has (or contemporaneously with the funding of the Loans hereunder on the Closing Date shall have) acquired, pursuant to the Palmetto PSA, title in the aggregate to Oil and Gas Properties included in the Palmetto Reserve Report equal to or exceeding 95% of the present value of all of the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Palmetto Reserve Report, free of any Liens other than Permitted Liens and Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent; (B) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the General Partner (1) certifying that, upon the consummation of the Transactions, the Palmetto Buyer has (or will have) consummated the acquisition contemplated by the Palmetto PSA substantially in accordance with its terms and all conditions to the obligations of the parties set forth in the Palmetto PSA (other than the payment of the purchase price thereunder) shall have been satisfied or waived, and no provision thereof shall have been waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent such waiver, amendment, supplement or other modification would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Lenders (except as otherwise agreed by the Lenders), (2) certifying that the Oil and Gas Properties described in the Palmetto Reserve Report have been (or are to be) acquired pursuant to the Palmetto PSA, (3) certifying as to the final purchase price paid (or to be paid) under the Palmetto PSA after giving effect to all adjustments as of the closing date for such acquisition, and specifying, by category, the amount of such adjustment, and (4) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete executed copy of the Palmetto PSA pursuant to which such Purchaser has acquired (or will acquire) such Oil and Gas Properties , and (5) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete executed copy of the Initial Subordinated Note, if any ; and (C) duly executed releases and/or terminations of any financing statements or mortgages specifically referencing and burdening the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Palmetto Reserve Report.

 

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of (i) Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and (ii) special local counsel to the Borrower in each jurisdiction where the Mortgaged Properties are located, such local counsel to be acceptable to Administrative Agent, each, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as to such matters incident to the Transactions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the Initial Reserve Report.

 

(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of insurance coverage of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries evidencing that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.12 .

 

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Financial Statements.

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(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Assignment Agreement duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

 

(o) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Fee Letter duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

 

(p) The Administrative Agent shall have received financial projections of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three (3) fiscal year period commencing with the 2015 Fiscal Year and continuing through the 2017 Fiscal Year prepared by the Borrower in good-faith and based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made.

 

(q) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it, that the Borrower shall have maintained in effect all Swap Transactions disclosed to the Administrative Agent in January 2015 and entered into (or contemporaneously with the funding of the Loans hereunder on the Closing Date to be entered into) the Swap Transactions set forth on Schedule 6.01(q) with Approved Counterparties (the “ Minimum Hedges ”).

 

(r) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Borrower has at least $4,000,000 of unused availability under the Borrowing Base immediately following the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

(s) The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties, the Borrower, and its Subsidiaries for each of the following jurisdictions: Oklahoma, Kansas, Delaware, Texas and any other jurisdiction requested by the Administrative Agent; other than those being assigned or released on or prior to the Closing Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.03 .

 

(t) No, action, suit, investigation or other proceeding is pending or threatened before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority seeking to restrain, enjoin or prohibit or declare illegal, or seeking damages from the Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u) The Administrative Agent is satisfied, in its sole discretion, with the results of its due diligence examination of the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Properties owned by the Borrower or Guarantors, including the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ proposed development of their Properties, the location discount/premium and transportation costs for all Hydrocarbons produced on such Properties, existing Hydrocarbon sales and all aspects of the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ existing and contemplated Hydrocarbon marketing activities.

 

(v) The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received all Act disclosures requested by them prior to execution of this Agreement.

 

(w) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent or special counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

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Section 6.02 Each Credit Event .  The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (including the initial funding), and of each Issuer to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Borrowing Base Deficiency shall exist or result therefrom.

 

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred.

 

(c) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors, if any, set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct as of such specified earlier date.

 

(d) The making of such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, would not conflict with, or cause any Lender or the Issuer to violate or exceed, any applicable Governmental Requirement, and no Change in Law shall have occurred, and no litigation shall be pending or threatened, which does or, with respect to any threatened litigation, seeks to, enjoin, prohibit or restrain, the making or repayment of any Loan, the issuance, amendment, renewal, extension or repayment of any Letter of Credit or any participations therein or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(e) The receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.03 or a request for a Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 2.08(b) , as applicable.

 

 

Each request for a Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 6.02(a) through (d) .

 

ARTICLE VII.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

Section 7.01 Organization; Powers .  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power, authority and qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability .  The Transactions are within the Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s limited partnership or limited liability company powers, as applicable, and have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership or limited liability company action, as applicable, and, if required, partner or member action.  When executed and delivered, each Loan Document and each of the agreements by which the Borrower or any Guarantor acquires ownership of the Mortgaged Properties to which the Borrower and any Guarantor is a party will have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and such Guarantor and will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and such Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts .  The Transactions (a) do not require any consent, license, or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including the members or any class of directors of the Borrower or any other Person, whether interested or disinterested), except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, and except for the filing and recording of Security Instruments to perfect the Liens created by such Security Instruments, (b) will not violate any Governmental Requirements or regulation or the charter, by-laws, operating agreement or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of the Guarantors or their Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).  The Borrower and each of the Guarantors has obtained all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the Guarantors and the validity against the Borrower and each of the Guarantors of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals are in full force and effect.

 

Section 7.04 Financial Statements .

 

(a) The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Financial Statements, and the Financial Statements are correct and complete in all material respects and present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of their respective dates and for their respective periods in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.

 

(b) Since December 31, 2014, (i) there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past business practices.

 

(c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Capital Stock), or any contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except for the (i) Obligations

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hereunder, (ii) as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements, or (iii) Debt otherwise permitted hereunder.

 

Section 7.05 Litigation .  Except as set forth on Schedule 7.05 , there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a) which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (unless fully covered by standard insurance which is acknowledged and uncontested by the applicable insurer and with standard deductibles) or (b) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.  Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed in Schedule 7.05 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.06 Environmental Matters .  Except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to (c), (d) and (e) below, where the failure to take such actions could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect):

 

(a) except as set forth on Schedule 7.06 , no Property of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries nor the operations conducted thereon violate any order or requirement of any court or Governmental Authority or any Environmental Laws.

 

(b) no Property of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries nor the operations currently conducted thereon or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, by any prior owner or operator of such Property or operation, are in violation of or subject to any existing, pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under Environmental Laws.

 

(c) all notices, permits, licenses, exemptions, approvals or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of any and all Property of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release of a hazardous substance, oil and gas waste or solid waste into the environment, have been duly obtained or filed or requested, and the Borrower and each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations.

 

(d) the Borrower has taken all steps reasonably necessary to determine and has determined that, except as set forth on Schedule 7.06 , no oil, hazardous substances, solid waste or oil and gas waste, have been disposed of or otherwise released and there has been no threatened release of any oil, hazardous substances, solid waste or oil and gas waste on or to any Property of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors except in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment.

 

(e) to the extent applicable, all Property of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors currently satisfies all design, operation, and equipment requirements imposed by the OPA, and the Borrower does not have any reason to believe that such Property, to the extent subject

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to the OPA, will not be able to maintain compliance with the OPA requirements during the term of this Agreement.

 

(f) except as set forth on Schedule 7.06 , neither the Borrower nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries has any known contingent liability or Remedial Work in connection with any release or threatened release of any oil, hazardous substance, solid waste or oil and gas waste into the environment.

 

Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements .  Each of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other authorizations granted by Governmental Authorities necessary for the ownership of its Property and the present conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.08 Investment Company Act .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Section 7.09 Taxes .  Each of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.  The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes and other governmental charges are, in the reasonable opinion of the Borrower, adequate.  No tax Lien has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax or other such governmental charge, except for tax Liens or claims that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.10 ERISA .

 

(a) The Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan, if any, that they maintain.

 

(b) No act, omission or transaction has occurred that could result in imposition on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i) or (l) of Section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under Section 409 of ERISA.

 

 

 

(c) No Plan (other than a defined contribution plan) or any trust created under any such Plan has been terminated since September 2, 1974.  No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by the Borrower, any of its

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Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected to be incurred with respect to any Plan.  No ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred.

 

(d) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan, if any, or Governmental Requirements to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof, and no failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan.

 

(e) Each Pension Plan satisfies the minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code and, if applicable, Part 3 of Title I of ERISA.

 

(f) Neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries sponsors or  maintains an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA that provides benefits to former employees of such entities, other than as required by Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.

 

(g) Neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate would be subject to any withdrawal liability under Part 1 of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA if the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate were to engage in a “complete withdrawal” (as defined in Section 4203 of ERISA) or a “partial withdrawal” (as defined in Section 4205 of ERISA) for any Multiemployer Plan.

 

(h) Neither the Borrower, its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code due to a Pension Plan amendment that results in an increase in current liability for any Pension Plan.

 

Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements .

 

(a) Schedule 7.11 describes, as of the Closing Date, all Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, and all obligations of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to issuers of surety or appeal bonds (other than operator’s bonds, plugging and abandonment bonds, and similar surety obligations obtained in the ordinary course of business) issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

(b) Taken as a whole, none of the reports, Financial Statements, certificates, Reserve Reports or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent, in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which (including the time at which) they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, prospect information, geological and geophysical data and engineering projections, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

 

Section 7.12 Insurance .  The Borrower has, and has caused each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar

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businesses operating in the same or similar locations.  The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the Collateral for the Loans are endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and such policies pertaining to liability coverage name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds,” and, in either case, provide that the insurer will give at least thirty (30) days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens .  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors is a party to any material agreement or arrangement, or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, that either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Obligations.

 

Section 7.14 Subsidiaries .  Except as set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14 , the Borrower has no Subsidiaries.  The Borrower has no Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices .  The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Sanchez Production Partners LP , and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization has been provided to the Administrative Agent (or, in each case, (or as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01( n l ) in accordance with Section 12.01 ).  The Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 12.01 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01( n l ) and Section 12.01(c) ).  Each Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization , organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization,   and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.14 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01( n l ) ).

 

Section 7.16 Properties; Titles; Etc .  Subject to Excepted Liens, each of the Obligors have good and indefeasible title to all of its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and to all Midstream Properties , free and clear of all Liens except for Excepted Liens.  The Borrower has good and defensible title to all of the Equity Interests in the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 7.14 , 7.14 (as supplemented pursuant to Section 7.14 ) except for Excepted Liens.  No material Oil and Gas Properties of any Obligor comprise a “building” or “mobile home” (each as defined in Regulation H promulgated under the Flood Insurance Laws).

 

(a) The quantum and nature of the interest of the Obligors in and to their Hydrocarbon Interests as set forth in the most recent Reserve Report includes the entire interest of the Obligors in such Hydrocarbon Interests as of the date of such Reserve Report and are complete and accurate in all material respects as of the date of such Reserve Report; there are no “back-in” or “reversionary” interests held by third parties which could materially reduce the interest of the Obligors in such Hydrocarbon Interests except as taken into account in such Reserve Report.  The  

Working Interests held by the Obligors in their Oil and Gas Properties shall not in any material respect obligate any of such Persons to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development, and operations of such Oil and Gas Properties in an amount in excess of the Working

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Interest of such Person in each such Hydrocarbon Interest set forth in the most recent Reserve Report.

 

(b) All oil and gas leases and instruments and other similar agreements comprising the Borrower’s and its Consolidated Subsidiaries Oil and Gas Properties necessary for the conduct of business of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect and there exists no default or event of default or circumstance which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would give rise to a default under any such leases, instruments or agreements, in each case which would affect in any material respect the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Neither the Borrower, any of the Guarantors nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any other party to any leases, instruments or agreements comprising its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, has given or threatened to give written notice of any default under or inquiry into any possible default under, or action to alter, terminate, rescind or procure a judicial reformation of, any such lease, instrument or agreement. 

 

(c) All of the Properties of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their business are in good repair, working order and condition in all material respects and have been maintained by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as is customary in the oil and gas industry.  Since the date of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 6.01(m) and 8.01 , neither the business nor the Properties of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries have been materially and adversely affected as a result of any fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or cancellation of contracts, permits, or concessions by a Governmental Authority, riot, activities of armed forces, or acts of God or of any public enemy.

 

(d) Except for Excepted Liens or as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i) In each case only with respect to any of the Obligors’ Oil and Gas Properties that have been assigned a discounted present value equal to or in excess of $2,000,000 in any Reserve Report, (A) all rentals, royalties, overriding royalties, shut-in royalties and other payments due under or with respect to any such Hydrocarbon Interests evaluated in any Reserve Report have been properly and timely paid in the ordinary course of business and (B) all material expenses payable under the terms of the contracts and agreements comprising such Oil and Gas Properties (other than those described above in clause (A)) have been properly and timely paid in the ordinary course of business, except in each case where such payments are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves complying with GAAP have been made;

 

(ii) All of the proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Borrower’s and its Consolidated Subsidiaries’ Hydrocarbon Interests are being properly and timely paid to the Borrower without suspense, other than any such proceeds the late payment or non-payment of which could not reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the value of the Borrower’s and its Consolidated Subsidiaries’ Hydrocarbon Interests taken as a whole; and

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(iii) No material amount of proceeds that has been received by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report is subject to any claim for any refund or refund obligation.

 

(e) The Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries own the Midstream Properties that generated the Adjusted Midstream EBITDA used in the most recent calculation of the Midstream Component as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.07(h)(ii), except for Midstream Properties disposed of since the most recent calculation of the Midstream Component that did not meet the thresholds provided by Section 2.07(h)(ii) with respect to the disposition of such Midstream Properties.

 

Section 7.17 Title .  Upon satisfaction of the covenants in Section 8.18 , 8.16 , the Administrative Agent shall have received title opinions, title reports or other title due diligence reflecting that the Borrower or the Guarantors shall have title reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in (a) such Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors constituting 80% of the Proved Reserves evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report. RBL Component and (b) the material Midstream Properties.

 

Section 7.18 Security Instruments

 

(a) The provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other secured parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the pledged Collateral (as defined therein) and proceeds thereof and (i) when certificates, if any, representing or constituting the pledged Collateral are delivered to the Collateral Agent and (ii) upon the filing of UCC-1 Financing Statements with the secretary of state of each jurisdiction of formation for each of the debtors party thereto, the Pledge and Security Agreement shall constitute a first priority Acceptable Security Interest in, all right, title and interest of the Obligors, as applicable, in such pledged Collateral and the proceeds thereof, subject to Excepted Liens.

 

(b) On the Closing Date, the Equity Interests listed on Schedule I to the Pledge and Security Agreement will constitute all the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the direct and indirect Material Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower; all such Equity Interests have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and the relevant pledgor of said shares is the record and beneficial owner of said shares.

 

(c) The provisions of the Mortgages will be effective to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, legal, valid and enforceable mortgage liens on (i) all of the right, title and interest of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the Mortgaged Property to the extent described therein and (ii) at least 80% of the total value of the Proved Reserves evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report.  Once such Mortgages have been recorded in the

appropriate recording office and all recording taxes have been paid with respect thereto, the Mortgages will constitute perfected first liens on, and security interest in, such mortgaged property, subject to Excepted Liens.

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(d) On the Closing Date, all governmental actions and all other filings, recordings, registrations, third party consents and other actions which are necessary to create and perfect the Liens provided for in the Security Instruments will have been made, obtained and taken in all relevant jurisdictions.  No other filings or recordings are required in order to perfect the security interests created under any Security Instruments.

 

Section 7.19 Maintenance of Properties .  Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties (and Properties unitized therewith) have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Government Requirements and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties.  Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no Oil and Gas Property is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (b) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Government Requirements, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties).  All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in a manner consistent with the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.19 could not reasonably be expect to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

Section 7.20 Gas Imbalances; Prepayments .  Except as set forth on Schedule 7.20 with respect to the Closing Date or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.07(d) , on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver, in the aggregate, three percent (3%) or more of the monthly production from Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

 

Section 7.21 Marketing of Production .  Except for the contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.21 , and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (with respect to all of which contracts the Borrower represents that it or the Guarantors are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Borrower’s or the Guarantors’ Hydrocarbons (including, without limitation, calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a) pertain to the sale of production at

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a fixed price and (b) have a maturity or expiry date of more than six (6) months after the Closing Date .

 

Section 7.22 Swap Transactions Schedule 7.22 sets forth, as of February 28, 2015, [_______], and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.01(c) will set forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements and Swap Transactions of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (specifying the category of each Swap Transaction, which categories comprise RBL Swap Transactions and Swap Transactions in respect of interest rates) , the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net marked-to-market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

Section 7.23 Use of Loans and Letters of Credit .  The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used (a) for the acquisition, exploration, operation, maintenance and development of Oil and Gas Properties and Midstream Properties and related properties, facilities, rights and interests located in any of the United States of America (including the Palmetto Acquisition), (b) for general corporate business purposes, including Restricted Payments, provided that if the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage is equal to or exceeds 90% before or after giving effect to the requested Loan or Letter of Credit, then no proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit may be used to fund Restricted Payments under Section 9.04 , (c) for the payment of expenses incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Transactions, (d) to provide working capital, and (e) for the issuance of Letters of Credit.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board).  No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.

 

Section 7.24 Solvency .  After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Borrower and the Guarantors, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Debt of the Borrower and the Guarantors on a consolidated basis, (b) each of the Borrower and the Guarantors will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Borrower and the Guarantors and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Borrower and the Guarantors will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

 

Section 7.25 Patriot Act; OFAC; Sanctions

 

(a) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are: (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced

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by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions.

 

(b) The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).

 

(c) Each of the Obligors is in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq., and any foreign counterpart thereto.  None of the Obligors or their Subsidiaries has made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (a) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (b) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political office, and (c) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to such Credit Party or its Subsidiary or to any other Person, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§78dd-1, et seq.

.

Section 7.26 Seniority Designation .  For the purposes of any Unsecured Notes Documents or any Permitted Refinancing Debt, the Obligations have been irrevocably designated as “senior indebtedness” (or such other applicable term denoting seniority) ranking, as applicable, equally in right of payment with any senior unsecured notes issued under such Unsecured Notes Documents and senior in right of payment to any subordinated unsecured notes or senior subordinated unsecured notes issued under such Unsecured Notes Documents, without giving effect to rights in the Collateral of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer, the Lenders and the other beneficiaries thereof.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Loan Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all Letter of Credit Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change; Other Information .  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a) Annual Financial Statements and Annual Budget .  As soon as available, but in any event not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, (i) Borrower’s audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, partners’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the

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previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and , (ii) a budget for the then current fiscal year, including a pro forma balance sheet and income and cash flow projections and (iii) business segment financial reports prepared by the Borrower with respect to the Midstream Properties and the related business .

 

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements .  As soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (i) its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, partners’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and (ii) business segment financial reports prepared by the Borrower with respect to the Midstream Properties and the related business .

 

(c) Certificate of Financial Officer -- Compliance .  Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b) , a certificate of a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2015, setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 9.01 , (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since December 31, 2014 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate, and (iv) setting forth as of the last Business Day of such calendar month or fiscal year, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements and Swap Transactions of the Borrower and each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries (specifying the category of each Swap Transaction, which categories comprise RBL Swap Transactions and Swap Transactions in respect of interest rates) , the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 7.22 , any margin required or supplied under any credit support document and the counterparty to each such agreement and (v) setting forth the Borrower’s calculation of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter, the volume of gas produced from the Dedicated Acreage (as defined in the Catarina Gathering Agreement) that flowed through the Midstream Properties during the most recent fiscal quarter, the applicable Midstream Multiplier and the Midstream Component .

 

(d) Certificate of Accounting Firm -- Defaults .  Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) , a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on

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such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines).

 

(e) Certificate of Insurer -- Insurance Coverage .  Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) , a certificate of insurance coverage from each insurer with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07 , in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all copies of the applicable policies.

 

(f) Other Accounting Reports .  Within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof, a copy of each other written report or letter submitted to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary to such letter or report.

 

(g) Notices Under Material Instruments .  Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any financial statement, report or notice furnished to or by any Person pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation, indenture (including any Unsecured Notes Indenture), loan or credit or other similar agreement, other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 8.01 .

 

(h) Reserve Report/Lists of Purchasers .  Concurrently with the delivery of any Reserve Report to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.07 , (i) a list of all Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) a monthly cash flow budget for the following twelve month period, projecting monthly production, volumes, revenues, expenses, taxes and budgeted capital expenditures.

 

(i) Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties .  In the event the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of (i) any Oil or Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (or any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary owning interests in such Oil and Gas Properties) during any period between two successive Scheduled RBL Component Redetermination Dates having a fair market value, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $250,000, or (ii) any Midstream Properties that would result in a pro forma adjustment to the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA (and, as a result, the Midstream Component) in accordance with Section 2.07(h)(iii) ,   prior written notice of such disposition, the price thereof, the anticipated date of closing, and any other details thereof requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(j) Notice of Swap Liquidation .  In the event the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries intends to assign, terminate (other than as a result of the expiration thereof), unwind, sell or liquidate one or more Swap Transactions having a net fair market value to either counterparty of such Swap Transactions , in excess of $250,000 (any such transaction a “ Material Swap Transaction ”), prompt (but in any event at least five (5) days prior to such assignment, termination, unwinding, sale, or liquidation) reasonable prior written notice of such assignment, termination, unwinding, sale, or liquidation and the value thereof, and any other details thereof as requested by the Administrative Agent.  In the event that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries consummates a Material Swap Transaction as described in the previous sentence, the Borrower

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shall retain, or cause its Subsidiaries to retain, as applicable, the proceeds of such transaction pending a redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(f) .  In the event that a Material Swap Transaction creates a payment obligation upon settlement from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the notice must be accompanied by a certification from a Responsible Officer that after giving effect to such payment obligation, Borrower is in compliance with Section 9.01 . 1

 

(k) Notice of Casualty Events .  Prompt written notice, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days, of the occurrence of any Casualty Event or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event.

 

(l) Information Regarding Borrower and Guarantors .  Prompt written notice (and in any event within ten (10) days prior thereto) of any change (i) in the Borrower or any Guarantor’s corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Borrower or any Guarantor’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Borrower or any Guarantor’s identity or corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in the Borrower or any Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization or such Person’s organizational identification number in such jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Borrower or any Guarantor’s federal taxpayer identification number, if any.

 

(m) Production Report and Lease Operating Statements .  Concurrently with the delivery of any Reserve Report to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.07 , a report setting forth, for each calendar month during the then-current fiscal year to date, the volume of production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.

 


1   NTD: MB to find alternative language.

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(n) Notices of Certain Changes .  Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any amendment, modification or supplement to the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, operating agreement, any preferred stock designation or any other organizational document of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, including but not limited to the documents referred to in Section 9.18 .

 

(o) Reserve Reports and Related Information .  Promptly, but in any event on or before the applicable due date therefor, each Reserve Report specified in Section 2.07 , together with the other information provided for therein.

 

(p) Notice of Incurrence or Repayment of Permitted Unsecured Debt or the Subordinated Note .  Prompt written notice, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the incurrence or repayment thereof, of any Debt incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 9.02(h) or any Debt outstanding under the Subordinated Note.  Each such notice shall state the amount of the new Debt incurred or repaid and the aggregate amount of Debt incurred and outstanding pursuant to Section 9.02(h) and under the Subordinated Note. Notices under Material Contracts. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material notices and reports and other information required to be delivered under any material contract pertaining to the Midstream Properties (including without limitation the Catarina Gathering Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice given by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 3.3, 3.6, 5.2, 9.1, 10.1, 11.4 or [__])) and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 8.01 .

 

(q) Other Requested Information .  Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events .  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, promptly after any Responsible Officer obtains knowledge thereof, written notice of the following:

 

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b) (i) the filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, investigation, inquiry, arbitration or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof or any of their Properties; (ii) any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Lenders); and (iii) any demand or lawsuit by any landowner or other third party threatened in writing against the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof or any of their Properties in connection with any Environmental Laws (excluding routine testing and corrective action) that, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) of this subsection, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $500,000;

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(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $500,000; and

 

(d) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section 8.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which any of its Oil and Gas Properties or Midstream Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.11 .

 

Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities of the Borrower and all of its Consolidated Subsidiaries before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the seizure or levy of any Property of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations Under Loan Documents .  The Borrower will pay the Notes according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof, and the Borrower will, and the Borrower will cause each of the Guarantors to do and perform every act and discharge all of the Obligations, including, without limitation, this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

 

Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to:

 

(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties , Midstream Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties, Midstream Properties and other material Properties to be operated in accordance with prudent industry practices and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable proration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all Governmental Requirements, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom or its Midstream

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Properties and the gathering, processing and transportation of Hydrocarbons , except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties, material Midstream Properties and other material Properties, including, without limitation, all material equipment, machinery and facilities.

 

(c) promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties or Midstream Properties and will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder.

 

(d) promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards and in all material respects, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties , Midstream Properties and other material Properties.

 

(e) to the extent the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries is not the operator of any Property, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 8.06 .

 

Section 8.07 Insurance .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.  The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the Collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and such policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will give at least thirty (30) days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

 

Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority

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applicable to them or their Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 8.10 Environmental Matters

 

(a) Except as could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (i) comply, and shall cause   its Properties and operations and each of its Subsidiaries and each Subsidiary’s Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) not dispose of or otherwise release, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to dispose of or otherwise release, any oil, oil and gas waste, hazardous substance, or solid waste on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties or any other Property to the extent caused by the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) timely obtain or file, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to timely obtain or file, all notices, permits, licenses, exemptions, approvals, registrations or other authorizations, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “ Remedial Work ”) in the event any Remedial Work is required under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future disposal or other release of any oil, oil and gas waste, hazardous substance or solid waste on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or the Guarantors’ Properties; and (v) establish and implement, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to establish and implement, such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to continuously determine and assure that the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Section 8.10(a) are timely and fully satisfied.

 

(b) The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Guarantors to, provide environmental audits and tests in accordance with American Society of Testing Materials standards upon request by the Administrative Agent (or as otherwise required to be obtained by the Administrative Agent by any Governmental Authority), in connection with any future acquisitions of (i) Oil and Gas Properties to the extent such Oil and Gas Properties are included as Collateral for the Borrowing Base RBL Component or (ii) Midstream Properties .

 

Section 8.11 Further Assurances

 

(a) The Borrower at its sole expense will, and will cause each of the Guarantors to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents, including the Notes, or to further evidence and more fully describe the Collateral intended as security for the Obligations, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make

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any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.

 

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral intended as security for the Obligations.  A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering such Collateral or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.  The Administrative Agent will promptly send the Borrower any financing or continuation statements it files and the Administrative Agent will promptly send the Borrower the filing or recordation information with respect thereto.

 

Section 8.12 Title Information

 

(a) On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 2.07(b ) , to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering ,   together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, (i) enough of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have received together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 80% of the total value of the Proved Reserves evaluated by such Reserve Report and (ii) Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation .

 

(b) If the Borrower has provided title information for additional Oil and Gas Properties or Midstream Properties under Section 2.07(b 8.12(a ) , the Borrower shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions exist with respect to such additional Properties, either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by Section 9.03 raised by such information, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with no title defects or exceptions except for Excepted Liens (other than Excepted Liens described in clauses (d), (e) and (h) of such definition) having an equivalent value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, reasonably satisfactory title information on with respect to (x) at least 80% of the value of the Proved Reserves evaluated by such Reserve Report and (y) Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation .

 

(c) If the Borrower is unable to cure any title defect requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be cured within the 60-day period or the Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering 80% of the value of the Proved Reserves evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report or Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation , such default shall not be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their

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sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.  To the extent that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders are not reasonably satisfied after the 60-day period has elapsed with title to (i) any Oil and Gas Properties after the 60-day period has elapsed , such unacceptable Oil and Gas Properties shall not count towards the 80% requirement in this Section 8.12(c) , and the Administrative Agent may send a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base RBL Component shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause the Borrower to be in   compliance with the requirement to provide acceptable title information on 80% of the value of the Proved Reserves .  This new or (ii) any material Midstream Properties, Midstream Adjusted EBITDA (and consequently the Midstream Component) shall be reduced by the Midstream Attributed Value of such Midstream Properties.  The Borrowing Base , as so reduced, shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.

 

Section 8.13 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors

 

(a) In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base RBL Component , the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties consisting of Oil and Gas Properties represent at least 80% of the total value of the Proved Reserves evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production.  In the event that the Oil and Gas Properties comprising Mortgaged Properties do not represent at least 80% of such total value, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, grant to the Administrative Agent or its designee as security for the Obligations a first-priority Lien (provided the Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (i) to (iv) and (vi) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) may exist, on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Oil and Gas Properties comprising Mortgaged Properties will represent at least 80% of such total value .  In connection with each redetermination of the Midstream Component, the Borrower shall review its Midstream Properties to determine if Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation are subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments and, to the extent that Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation are not then subject a Lien of the Security Instruments, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, grant to the Administrative Agent or its designee as security for the Obligations a first-priority Lien (provided the Excepted Liens may exist) on additional Midstream Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation become subject to the Lien of the Security Instruments .  All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or its designee and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes.  In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary places a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties or Midstream Properties and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.13(b) .

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(b) In the event that (i) the Borrower determines that any Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary or (ii) any Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary incurs or guarantees any Debt, then the Borrower shall promptly cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Obligations.  In connection with any such guaranty, the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (A) execute and deliver a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement in the form of Annex 1 to the Guarantee Agreement executed by such Subsidiary, (B) pledge all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary (including, without limitation, delivery of original stock or   membership interest certificates (if such interests are certificated) evidencing all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such Subsidiary to Collateral Agent, together with appropriate undated stock powers, or other equivalent instruments of transfer reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (C) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent or its designee, including without limitation:

 

(i) the execution and delivery of a supplement to the Pledge and Security Agreement in the form of Annex 1 to the Pledge and Security Agreement;

 

(ii) a certificate of the Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary or Domestic Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to this Section 8.13(b) , (A) setting forth resolutions of the managers, board of directors or other managing body with respect to the authorization of such Person to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (B) setting forth the individuals who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the Person is a party, (C) providing specimen signatures of such authorized individuals, (D) setting forth the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation and bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement, as applicable, of such Person, in each case, certified as being true and complete and (E) certifying that the representations and warranties of such Person contained in the Loan Documents to which it is a party are true correct on and as of the date thereof;

 

(iii) certificates of the appropriate state agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of such Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to this Section 8.13(b) ;

 

(iv) an opinion of special New York counsel to the Borrower, providing opinions with respect to such Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to this Section 8.13(b) regarding the authority of such Subsidiary to execute the supplement to the Guarantee Agreement,  the Pledge and Security Agreement and any other Security Instrument to which such Subsidiary is a party, the enforceability of such documents with regard to such Subsidiary, and the perfection of Liens created under such Security Instruments; and

 

(v) UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering such Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to this Section 8.13(b) other than Liens permitted by Section 9.03 .  

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Section 8.14 ERISA Compliance .  The Borrower will promptly furnish, and will cause its Subsidiaries to promptly furnish, to the Administrative Agent (a) promptly after the filing thereof with the United States Secretary of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan, if any, or any trust created thereunder, (b) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any “prohibited transaction,” as described in Section 406 of ERISA or in Section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice signed by the President or the principal Financial Officer of the General Partner on behalf of the Borrower or the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (c) immediately upon receipt thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan.  With respect to each Pension Plan, if any, the Borrower will, and the Borrower will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code (determined without regard to subSection (c) thereof) and of Section 302 of ERISA (determined without regard to subSection (c) thereof), and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA.

 

Section 8.15 [Intentionally Omitted]

 

Section 8.16 Title .  With respect to Oil and Gas Properties acquired after the Closing Date or not previously included in the Borrowing Base or material Midstream Properties , and to the extent necessary for the Administrative Agent to receive satisfactory title information on at least 80% of the total value of the Proved Reserves to be included in the Borrowing Base RBL Component and Midstream Properties that contributed at least 90% of Midstream Adjusted EBITDA at the most recent Scheduled Midstream Component Recalculation , the Borrower shall from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, take such actions and execute and deliver such documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent shall require to ensure that the Administrative Agent shall, at all times, have received satisfactory title opinions (including, if requested, supplemental or new title opinions addressed to it), title reports, or other title due diligence, which title diligence shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and shall include , with respect to Oil and Gas Properties, information regarding the before payout and after payout ownership interests held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for all wells located on the Oil and Gas Properties shown in the most recent Reserve Report.

 

Section 8.17 Keepwell .  The Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Obligor to honor all of its obligations under its Guarantee Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that the Borrower shall only be liable under this Section 8.17 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 8.17 or otherwise under any guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  The

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obligations of the Borrower under this Section 8.17 shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been paid in full and all Commitments hereunder have terminated.  The Borrower intends that this Section 8.17 constitute, and this Section 8.17 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Section 8.18 Additional Covenants Upon Issuance of Unsecured Notes .  If the Borrower or any Guarantor issues any Unsecured Notes permitted under Section 9.02(f) hereof, the Borrower shall:

 

(a) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent not later than three (3) Business Days following the date on which any final prospectus or final offering memorandum prepared in connection with the original issuance of any Unsecured Notes is delivered to the prospective or actual holders of the Unsecured Notes, a true and correct copy of such final prospectus or final offering memorandum;

 

(b) deliver to the Administrative Agent not more than five (5) Business Days after the date of issuance of any Unsecured Notes by the Borrower or any Guarantor, a true and correct copy of the Unsecured Notes Indenture (or any supplement (if any) to the Unsecured Notes Indenture) entered into by the Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with the Unsecured Notes;

 

(c) deliver to the Administrative Agent concurrently with the issuance of any Unsecured Notes, a certificate of a Responsible Officer confirming such issuance and setting forth the aggregate principal amount of Unsecured Notes issued;

 

(d) deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly such other related materials evidencing the issuance of the Unsecured Notes as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(e) if, after giving effect to the issuance of any Unsecured Notes and the automatic reduction of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 9.02(f) , a Borrowing Base Deficiency results, repay Loans and cash collateralize Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 3.03(c)(ii) .

 

(f)

 

ARTICLE IX.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Loan Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all Letter of Credit Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

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Section 9.01 Financial Covenants .  

 

(a) Current Ratio .  The Borrower will not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, December 31, 2015, its Current Ratio to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

 

(b) Maximum Total Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA .  The Borrower will not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, December 31, 2015, its ratio of (i) Total Net Debt of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to (ii) Adjusted EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending on such date (but subject to clause (d) below), to be greater than, (x) with respect to any fiscal quarter ending prior to the Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date, 4.50 to 1.0 and, for which the Midstream Adjusted EBITDA equals or exceeds one-third of Adjusted EBITDA, 4.50 to 1.00, and (y) with respect to any fiscal quarter ending on or after the Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date, 4.0 to 1.0. for which Midstream Adjusted EBITDA is less than one-third of Adjusted EBITDA, 4.00 to 1.00.

 

(c) Maximum Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Minimum Interest Coverage .  The Borrower will not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter ending prior to the Leverage Ratio Adjustment Date , commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, December 31, 2015, its ratio of (i) Senior Secured Net Debt of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to (ii) Adjusted EBITDA for each the Rolling Period ending on such date (but subject to clause (d) below) to (ii) Interest Expense for the Rolling Period ending on such date (but subject to clause (d) below), to be greater less than 3.50 2.50 to 1.0.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including the definition of “Rolling Period”), (i) Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period periods ending June 30, December 31, 2015, shall equal Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense, respectively, for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2015 December 31, 2015, multiplied by four (4), (ii) Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period periods ending September 30, 2015, March 31, 2016, shall equal Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense, respectively, for the two consecutive fiscal quarter period ending September 30, 2015 March 31, 2016, multiplied by two (2) and (iii) Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period periods ending December 31, 2015, September 30, 2016, shall equal Adjusted EBITDA and Interest Expense, respectively, for the three consecutive fiscal quarter period periods ending December 31, 2015 September 30, 2016, multiplied by four-thirds (4/3).

 

Section 9.02 Debt .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

 

(a) the Notes or other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents or any guaranty of or suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents;

 

(b) accounts payable and other accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations to pay (for the deferred purchase price of Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to which no more than 90 days have elapsed since the date

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of invoice or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c) intercompany Debt between the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries or between Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 9.05(d) ; provided that such Debt is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than the Borrower or one of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, and, provided further, that any such Debt owed by either the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms set forth in the Guarantee Agreement;  

 

(d) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) Debt of any Obligor in respect of workers’ compensation claims, performance bonds, surety bonds, and appeal bonds issued for its account, in each case in the ordinary course of business, or surety/bonds to governmental agencies;

 

(f) Debt incurred under Unsecured Notes and any guarantees by a Guarantor in respect thereof in an aggregate principal amount that would not cause, as of the date on which such Debt is incurred, the ratio of Total Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA to exceed the maximum amount then permitted under Section 9.01(b) after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, provided that (1) such Unsecured Notes and any Unsecured Notes Indenture under which such Unsecured Notes are issued contain customary terms and conditions for unsecured notes of similar type and of like tenor and amount and do not contain any financial covenants that are, taken as a whole, more onerous to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than those imposed by this Agreement (as determined in good faith by the senior management of the General Partner) (as in effect on the date of Incurrence of such Debt), (2) the final stated maturity date and the average life (based on the stated final maturity date and payment schedule provided at the date of issuance) of such Unsecured Notes shall not be earlier than 180 days after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of Incurrence of such Debt), and (3) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to each incurrence of such Debt, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and provided, further, that immediately upon any incurrence of Debt permitted by this clause (f), the Borrowing Base RBL Component then in effect shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the product of (i) 25% of the aggregate principal amount of such Debt incurred (calculated at the face amount of the Debt incurred without giving effect to any original issue discount) times (ii) the percentage determined by dividing the RBL Component as in effect prior to giving effect to such automatic reduction by the Borrowing Base as in effect prior to giving effect to such automatic reduction and (b) any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof;

 

(g) Debt of an Obligor in the form of guarantees and other “Debt” of the type described in clause (g) or clause (h) of the definition of Debt, in each case, in respect of Debt otherwise permitted under this Section 9.02 ;

 

(h) Debt outstanding under the Subordinated Notes; and [Intentionally Omitted]; and

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(i) other unsecured Debt not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

 

Section 9.03 Liens .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

 

(a) Liens securing the payment of any Obligations;

 

(b) Excepted Liens; or

(c) Liens on Property not constituting Collateral for the Obligations and not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Section 9.03 ; provided that the aggregate principal or face amount of all Debt secured under this Section 9.03(c) shall not exceed $100,000 at any time.  The filing of a financing statement or other document or instrument in connection with any Lien permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.03 to perfect or otherwise provide notice of such Lien is permitted.

 

Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, return any capital to its stockholders, members or unitholders or make any distribution of its Property to its Equity Interest holders, except: (i) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends or distributions to its Equity Interest holders payable solely in additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock but including cash in lieu of fractional Equity Interests to the extent of Available Cash), (ii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (iii) so long as no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, after giving effect to such dividend or distributions, and any redetermination of the Borrowing Base as a result of such dividend, the Borrower would have at least 10% of unused borrowing capacity that can be accessed under this Agreement in an amount not less than 10% of the amount of the RBL Component in effect at such time , and subject to Section 7.23 , the Borrower may declare and pay, or incur a liability to make, quarterly cash distributions in an amount equal to Available Cash, (iv) the Borrower may make issuances and/or sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) in the Borrower in exchange for, or purchase or redemption of, Equity Interests in the Borrower and cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractioned Equity Interests in connection therewith as a split or other distribution of Equity Interests where the distributions are made on a pro rata basis to all of its equity holders, (v) the Borrower may repurchase its Equity Interests in connection with the administration of any long-term incentive plan, including (A) in connection with the cashless exchange of unit options, (B) the repurchase of restricted units from employees, directors and other recipients under such plan at nominal values, and (C) the repurchase of Equity Interests from employees, directors and other recipients to satisfy federal, state or local tax withholding obligations of such employees, directors and other recipients with respect to income deemed earned as the result of options, unit grants or other awards made under such plan, and (vi) the payment of reasonable compensation, fees and expenses (as determined by the Borrower) to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, the General Partner and directors, officers and employees of the General Partner, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

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Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

 

(a) Investments reflected in the Financial Statements;

 

(b) accounts or notes receivable arising out of extensions of trade credit, prepayments or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c) cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(d) Investments (i) made by the Borrower in or to the Guarantors, (ii) made by any Subsidiary in or to the Borrower or any Guarantor, but subject to the conditions set forth in Section 9.02(c) , if applicable, and (iii) made by the Borrower or any Guarantor in or to any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, provided that the aggregate of all Investments made by the Borrower or any Guarantor in or to any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor shall not exceed $2,000,000 at any time;

 

(e) Investments (including, without limitation, capital contributions) in general or limited partnerships or other types of entities (each, a “ venture ”) entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with others in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) the interest in such venture is acquired in the ordinary course of business and on fair and reasonable terms and (ii) such venture interests acquired and capital contributions made (valued as of the date such interest was acquired or the contribution made) do not exceed, in the aggregate at any time outstanding an amount equal to $2,000,000;

 

(f) subject to the limits in Section 9.06 , Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto Midstream Properties or Persons owning Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or Midstream Properties or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements , gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which that are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business or midstream business, in each case, located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America;

 

(g) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case only as permitted by Governmental Requirements, including Section 402 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, but in any event not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any time; or

 

(h) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 9.05 owing to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of the obligor in respect of such debts or upon the enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prompt written notice in the event that the aggregate amount of all Investments held at any one time under this Section 9.05(h) exceeds $250,000.

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Section 9.06 Nature of Business .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof First Amendment Effective Date, or any business substantially related or incidental thereto, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, operate its business outside the boundaries of the United States and its adjoining waters, including, without limitation, the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligation for the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or personal but excluding leases of Hydrocarbon Interests), under leases or lease agreements which would cause the aggregate amount of all payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements, including, without limitation, any residual payments at the end of any lease, to exceed $2,000,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life of such leases.

 

Section 9.08 Proceeds of Notes .  The Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.23 .  Neither the Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect.  If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be.

 

Section 9.09 ERISA Compliance .  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries will not at any time:

 

(a) engage in any transaction in connection with which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i) or (l) of Section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

 

(b) terminate any Pension Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Pension Plan, which could result in any liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the PBGC;

 

(c) fail to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or Governmental Requirements, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is required to pay as contributions thereto;

 

(d) permit to exist any failure to satisfy the minimum funding standards, within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan;

 

(e) permit the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under any Pension Plan that is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Pension Plan allocable

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to such benefit liabilities; the term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4041 of ERISA;

 

(f) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan;

 

(g) acquire an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to (i) any Multiemployer Plan, if such Person would, if it withdrew from such plan, be subject to withdrawal liability under Part 1 of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA in excess of $1,000,000, or (ii) any other Pension Plan under which the projected benefit obligation under the Pension Plan exceeds the fair market value of the Plan’s assets by $1,000,000;

 

(h) incur a liability to or on account of a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan under sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA, as applicable;

 

(i) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities that the Borrower or its Subsidiaries reasonably believes may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion at any time without any material liability; or

 

(j) amend a Pension Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is required to provide security to such Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

 

Section 9.10 Sale or Discount of Receivables .  Except for receivables obtained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable or the sale of defaulted accounts arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not in connection with any financing transaction, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

 

Section 9.11 Mergers; Etc .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person, except that any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may merge with any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and that the Borrower may merge with any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary so long as the Borrower is the survivor.

 

Section 9.12 Sale of Properties .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Guarantors to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property except for: (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business; (b) farmouts of undeveloped acreage and assignments in connection with such farmouts; (c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use; (d) sales or other dispositions (excluding Casualty Events) of Oil and Gas Properties or any interest therein or Subsidiaries owning Oil and Gas Properties (including the MidCon Asset Sale) ; provided that (i) 100% of the consideration received in respect

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of such sale or other disposition shall be cash, (ii) the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Subsidiary subject of such sale or other disposition (as reasonably determined by the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the General Partner and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying to that effect), (iii) if such sale or other disposition of Oil and Gas Property or Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report during any period between two successive redeterminations of the Borrowing Base has a the fair market value (as determined by the Administrative Agent), individually or in the aggregate, in excess of of those Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (or of the interest therein or of Subsidiaries owning Oil and Gas Properties ) that are to be sold or disposed of, when aggregated with the Midstream Attributed Value of all Midstream Properties sold since the last recalculation of the Midstream Component, exceeds five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base then in effect, then the Borrowing Base shall may be reduced, effective immediately upon such sale or disposition, by an amount equal to the value, if any, assigned such Property in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or such other amount as determined by the Required Lenders in accordance with Sections 2.07(f) and 2.07(b)(ii) , (iv) if any such sale or other disposition is of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such sale or other disposition shall include all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary and (v) if, after giving effect to the sale or other disposition of such Oil and Gas Properties, the aggregate notional volumes of projected monthly production that remain hedged pursuant to RBL Swap Transactions of the Borrower exceed for any period following the consummation of such sale or other disposition the notional volumes of projected monthly production from the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that the Borrower would be permitted to hedge in accordance with Section 9.17(a) if it were then entering into such RBL Swap Transactions (for purposes of this Section 9.12(d) , the “ Maximum Hedge Amount ”), then the Borrower shall unwind, novate, terminate or enter into offsetting positions (each of which shall be a permitted sale or disposition for purposes of this Section 9.12 ) with respect to an amount of the notional volumes hedged under RBL Swap Transactions such that the aggregate notional volumes of projected monthly production covered by remaining RBL Swap Transactions shall not exceed the Maximum Hedge Amount; (e) the sale of the MidCon Assets so long as (i) the MidCon Assets have not been included in the determination of the RBL Component, (ii) the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the MidCon Assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as reasonably determined by the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the General Partner and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying to that effect), and (iii) the proceeds of any such sale or disposition are used to prepay outstanding Advances; (f) the sale or other disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or Equity Interests in the Borrower; and ( f g ) sales and other dispositions of Properties not regulated by Section 9.12(a) to ( d f ) having a fair market value not to exceed $250,000 during any 12-month period.

 

Section 9.13 Transactions with Affiliates .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than the Guarantors and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower) unless such transactions are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate (as determined in good faith by the board of directors (or

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comparable governing body) of the General Partner or the conflicts committee thereof); provided ,   however , that the foregoing shall not apply to (a) that certain Amended and Restated Shared Services Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, March 6, 2015, between SP Holdings and the Borrower, (b) that certain Contract Operating Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, between SOG and the Borrower, (c) that certain Geophysical Seismic Data Use License Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, as amended, among SOG, the Borrower and certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, (d) any issuances of Equity Interests or other awards, payments or grants in cash, Equity Interests or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, and incentive compensation plans approved by the General Partner’s board of directors, (e) any issuance (but not any redemption or purchase) by the Borrower of its units (including incentive distribution units) to the General Partner and (f) any transaction approved in good faith by the conflicts committee of the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the General Partner.

 

Section 9.14 Subsidiaries .  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to, create or acquire any additional Subsidiary unless the Borrower complies with Section 8.13(b) .  Except as otherwise permitted herein (including in connection with the sale of the MidCon Assets) , the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests in any of the Guarantors.  The Borrower shall have no Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

Section 9.15 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement or the Security Instruments) that in any way prohibits or restricts (a) the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property in favor of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders or (b) any Subsidiary from paying dividends or making distributions to the Borrower or any Guarantor, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law, by this Agreement or any Unsecured Notes Documents, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Debt permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the Property or assets securing such Debt and (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.

 

Section 9.16 Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would require the Borrower or such Subsidiary to deliver, in the aggregate, three percent (3%) or more of the monthly production of Hydrocarbons of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

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Section 9.17 Swap Transactions .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will be a party to, or enter into , any Swap Transactions with any Person other than:

 

(a) On the Closing Date (to the extent not entered into prior to the Closing Date) the Minimum Hedges and from and after the Closing Date other RBL Swap Transactions by the Borrower in respect of commodities (A) with an Approved Counterparty and (B) the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity RBL Swap Transactions then in effect (including the Minimum Hedges and any other RBL Swap Transactions in effect on the Closing Date), other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other RBL Swap Transactions) do not exceed, calculated separately for each of crude oil and natural gas, as of the date such RBL Swap Transaction is executed:

 

(i) for the twenty-four (24) month period immediately following the date on which such RBL Swap Transaction is executed, the lesser greater of (x) 100% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Developed Producing Reserves and (y) 90% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Reserves;

 

(ii) for the second twenty-four (24) month period immediately following the date on which such RBL Swap Transaction is executed, the lesser greater of (x) 90% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Developed Producing Reserves and (y) 85% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Reserves; and

 

(iii) for the twelve (12) month period immediately following the period described in the immediately preceding subclause (ii), the lesser greater of (x) 85% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Developed Producing Reserves and (y) 80% of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ projected monthly production from Proved Reserves;

 

provided, however, that the aggregate notional volumes under all such commodity RBL Swap Transactions (other than floor or put options) shall not exceed the most recent month’s actual production, calculated separately for each of crude oil and natural gas, in any given month; no RBL Swap Transaction shall in any event have a tenor greater than five (5) years; and the projections of Proved Developed Producing Reserves and Proved Reserves that must be used in determining the maximum allowable hedging shall be based on the Borrower’s reasonable business judgment and consistent application of petroleum engineering methodologies for estimating Proved Developed Producing Reserves and Proved Reserves using the then-strip pricing.

 

(b) In addition to RBL Swap Transactions in respect of commodity prices permitted by Section 9.17(a) above, the Borrower shall be permitted to execute incremental RBL Swap Transactions in connection with a proposed acquisition of Oil and Gas Properties or Persons owning Oil and Gas Properties during the period between (i) the date on which the Borrower signs a definitive acquisition agreement in connection with such proposed acquisition and (ii) the earliest of (A) the date such proposed acquisition is consummated, (B) the date such proposed acquisition is terminated and (C) 90 days after such definitive acquisition agreement was executed

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(or such longer period as to which the Administrative Agent may agree); provided that, (1) such RBL Swap Transactions are with an Approved Counterparty; (2) the aggregate notional volumes under such incremental RBL Swap Transactions shall not exceed 35% of the projected monthly production from the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proved Reserves (as forecast based upon the most recent Reserve Report) for a period not exceeding 36 months from the date each such incremental RBL Swap Transaction is executed; (3) to the extent aggregate notional volumes under all RBL Swap Transactions of the Borrower exceed 100% of the projected monthly production from the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ existing Proved Reserves (prior to the consummation of such proposed acquisition), the Borrower shall maintain at least 15% of unused borrowing capacity that can be accessed under this Agreement; (4) a Person approved in writing by Administrative Agent has guaranteed the obligations thereunder in the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower would be required to pay if such RBL Swap Transaction were terminated at such time pursuant to a written guarantee agreement in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and (5) all such incremental RBL Swap Transactions entered into with respect to a proposed acquisition must be terminated, unwound or offset within 90 days following the date such proposed acquisition is terminated (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that such incremental RBL Swap Transactions may be retained to the extent such RBL Swap Transactions could be entered into, as of the date of termination of the proposed acquisition, pursuant to Section 9.17(a) ).

 

(c) Swap Transactions in respect of interest rates with an Approved Counterparty, which effectively convert interest rates from floating to fixed, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Transactions of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed 75% of the outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a floating rate at the time a particular such Swap Transaction is entered into.

 

(d) In no event shall any Swap Agreement have any requirement, agreement or covenant for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to post collateral or margin (other than the Collateral, to the extent permitted under this Agreement) to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.17 , there shall be no prohibition against the Borrower entering into any “put” contracts or commodity price floors so long as such agreements are entered into for non-speculative purposes and in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of hedging against fluctuations of commodity prices.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Minimum Hedges are not prohibited by this Section 9.17 .

 

Section 9.18 Tax Status as Partnership; Operating Agreements ; Material Contracts .  The Borrower shall not alter its status as a partnership for purposes of United States federal income Taxes.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, amend or modify any provision of its articles, bylaws, or partnership or limited liability company organization or operating documents or agreements, or any agreements with Affiliates of the type referred to in Section 9.13 ,   or any material contract affecting the Midstream Properties (including, without limitation, the Catarina PSA and the Catarina Gathering Agreement), if such amendment or modification could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders in any material respect, without the prior written

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consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Borrower agrees that any amendments or modifications to any provisions of any of the instruments referenced above dealing with the purpose or business, voting rights or management or operation shall be deemed reasonably to have an adverse effect on the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders that is material.

 

Section 9.19 Acquisition Properties .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or supplement any of the agreements or related documents by which the Borrower or any Guarantor acquires additional Oil and Gas Properties or Midstream Properties if the effect thereof could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (and provided that the Borrower promptly furnishes to the Administrative Agent a copy of such amendment, modification or supplement).

 

Section 9.20 Accounting Changes .  The Borrower shall not make any change in its (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or (b) fiscal year.

 

Section 9.21 Prepayment of Permitted Unsecured Notes ; Payment on Subordinated Note ; Amendments to Debt Documents .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to:

 

(a) call, make or offer to make any optional or voluntary Redemption of, or otherwise optionally or voluntarily Redeem, any of the Unsecured Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Debt) in respect thereof; provided, however, that (i) the Borrower may prepay the Unsecured Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Debt) with the proceeds of (A) any Permitted Refinancing Debt or any additional Unsecured Notes issued pursuant to Section 9.02(f) , (B) the net cash proceeds of a sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower that is contemporaneous with such optional or voluntary Redemption or (C) a combination of any Permitted Refinancing Debt and the net cash proceeds of a sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower that is contemporaneous with such optional or voluntary Redemption; and (ii) so long as no Borrowing Base Deficiency then exists, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and the Borrower would have at least 10% of unused borrowing capacity that can be accessed under this Agreement the RBL Component , the Borrower may optionally or voluntarily Redeem any Unsecured Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Debt) in an amount equal to Available Cash; further provided, however, that (for the avoidance of doubt) nothing in this Section 9.21(a) shall limit the Borrower’s ability to make any scheduled payments or mandatory prepayments with respect to any Unsecured Notes;

 

(b) make any (i) repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of Debt outstanding under the Subordinated Note or (ii) payment in cash, Cash Equivalent or other Property (other than Subordinated Notes) in respect of accrued interest on the principal amount of Debt outstanding thereunder unless otherwise approved in advance in writing by the Required Lenders; provided, however, that the Borrower shall be permitted to Redeem Subordinated Notes with up to fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds of (x) any issuance of Equity Interests by the Borrower or (y) any asset sales and Casualty Events, in each case, so long as no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at the time of such repayment or results therefrom (after giving effect to such payment) and the Borrower would have at least 10% of unused borrowing capacity that can be accessed under this Agreement after giving effect to such payment

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and any related transactions; and further provided, however, that (for the avoidance of doubt), the Borrower shall be permitted to make payments of interest in-kind (by capitalizing the accrued but unpaid interest under the Subordinated Notes or by issuing additional Subordinated Notes); and [Intentionally Omitted]; and

 

(c) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, (i) any of the terms of any Unsecured Notes Documents or any Permitted Refinancing Debt if the effect thereof would be to shorten its maturity or average life or increase the amount of any payment of principal thereof or increase the rate or shorten any period for payment of interest thereon, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit the execution of (A) supplemental indentures associated with the incurrence of additional Unsecured Notes to the extent permitted by Section 9.02(f) , (B) other indentures or agreements in connection with the issuance of Permitted Refinancing Debt, or (C) supplemental indentures to add guarantors if required by the terms of any Unsecured Notes Indenture provided such Person complies with Section 8.13(b) ; and (ii) any Subordinated Note if such amendment, modification or waiver could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Lenders in any material respect, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuer and the Required Lenders .

 

Section 9.22 Marketing Activities The Except as may be related to the Midstream Properties, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (a) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from their Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, (b) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries has the right to market pursuant to joint operating agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (c) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (i) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e. corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (ii) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.

 

ARTICLE X.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

 

Section 10.01 Events of Default .  One or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation in respect of any Letter of Credit Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 10.01(a) ) payable under any Loan

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Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

 

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8.01 8.02 ( n a ) ,   Section 8.02 ,   Section 8.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or in ARTICLE IX ;

 

(e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in Section 10.01(a) ,   Section 10.01(b) or Section 10.01(d) ) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (ii) a Responsible Officer of the General Partner or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries otherwise becoming aware of such default;

 

(f) any event or condition occurs (after giving effect to any notice or cure period) that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to make an offer in respect thereof;

 

(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 90 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(h) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in Section 10.01(g) , (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general

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assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or any member of the Borrower shall make any request or take any action for the purpose of calling a meeting of the members of the Borrower to consider a resolution to dissolve and wind-up the Borrower’s affairs;

 

(i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(j) one or more final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,500,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance provided by insurers of the highest claims paying rating or financial strength as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and is not subject to an insolvency proceeding) or (ii) any one or more non monetary judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, shall be rendered against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment;

 

(k) the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower or a Guarantor party thereto or shall be repudiated by them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall so state in writing;

 

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000 in any year; or

 

(m) a Change in Control shall occur.

 

Section 10.02 Remedies .  

 

(a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one described in Section 10.01(g) ,   Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) , at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Loan Commitments, and thereupon the Loan Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the payment of cash collateral to secure the Letter of Credit Exposure as provided in Section 2.08(j) ), shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment,

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demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(g) ,   Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) , the Loan Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Notes and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the payment of cash collateral to secure the Letter of Credit Exposure as provided in Section 2.08(j) ), shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

 

(c) All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of Collateral or otherwise received after maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied, respectively as follows:

 

First , to the Agents and the other Secured Parties, ratably, in an amount equal to the reimbursement of expenses and indemnities provided for under this Agreement and the Security Instruments;

 

Second , to the Secured Parties, ratably, in payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting interest due, in each case, under their respective Loan Documents or Swap Agreement;

 

Third , to the Secured Parties, ratably, in payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees due under their respective Loan Documents or Swap Agreement;

 

Fourth , ratably to the Secured Parties (and ratably among them) in payment of all of the remaining Obligations owing to the Lenders or an Affiliate of the Lenders under their respective Loan Documents or Swap Agreement;

 

Fifth , to serve as cash collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the Letter of Credit Exposure under this Agreement; and

 

Sixth , to the Borrower or to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct, any surplus then remaining from such proceeds.

 

Section 10.03 Disposition of Proceeds .  The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Collateral Agent (with respect to the Pledge and Security Agreement) and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuer, the Lenders and any Swap Counterparty of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto that may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property.  The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Obligations and other obligations described therein and secured thereby.  Notwithstanding the assignment contained in

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such Security Instruments, except after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (a) the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE XI.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT

 

Section 11.01 Appointment; Powers .  Each of the Lenders and each Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

Section 11.02 Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have no duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Governmental Requirements; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties), (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except as provided in Section 11.03 , and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent or any of their Affiliates in any capacity.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in ARTICLE VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the

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Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein.  For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in ARTICLE VI , each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

Section 11.03 Action by Agent .  Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02 ) and in all cases the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Required Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02 ) specifying the action to be taken and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall be binding on all of the Lenders.  If a Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.03 , provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.  In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or Governmental Requirements.  If a Default has occurred and is continuing, neither the no Co- Syndication Agent Agents nor any Co-Documentation Agent shall have any obligation to perform any act in respect thereof.  No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders or the Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02 ), and otherwise neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

Section 11.04 Reliance by Agent .  Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the

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proper Person.  Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon and each of the Borrower, the Lenders and each Issuer hereby waives the right to dispute such Agent’s record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by such Agent.  Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.  The Agents may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 11.05 Subagents .  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, respectively.  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding Sections of this ARTICLE XI shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

 

Section 11.06 Resignation or Removal of Agents .  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided in this Section 11.06 , any Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, each Issuer and the Borrower, and any Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Lenders.  Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation or removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and each Issuer, appoint a successor Agent.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this ARTICLE XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Agent.

 

Section 11.07 Agents and Lenders .  Each bank serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

 

Section 11.08 No Reliance .  Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Lender and based on

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such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.  The Agents shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.  Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, no Agent or Arranger shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) which may come into the possession of such Agent or any of its Affiliates.  In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Mayer Brown LLP is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent with respect to this Agreement and to the Collateral Agent only.  Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.

 

Section 11.09 Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim .  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent, and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent, and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Collateral Agent, and the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent and to the Collateral Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under Section 12.03 .

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Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

Section 11.10 Authority of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to Release Collateral and Liens .  Each Lender and each Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to release any collateral under any Security Instrument that is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents or, upon the expiration and termination of the Loan Commitments and repayment in full of the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents, and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuer have been made), and the reimbursement of all Letter of Credit Disbursements.  Each Lender and each Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.12 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

Section 11.11 The Arranger, etc. .  None of the Arranger, any Person identified as a “ Co- Syndication Agent,” any Person identified as a “Co-Documentation Agent,” any Person identified as “Lead Arranger” or any Person identified as “Bookrunner” shall have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than its respective duties, responsibilities and liabilities in its capacity as a Lender hereunder to the extent it is a party to this Agreement as a Lender.

 

ARTICLE XII.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01 Notices

 

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to Section 12.01(b) ), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at

 

Sanchez Production Partners LP
1000 Main Street, Suite 3000
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone:  832-742-3818
Fax:  832-308-3720
Attn:  Chief Financial Officer

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(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at

 

Royal Bank of Canada
Agency Services Group
4 th Floor, 20 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 1CA
Attention:  Manager Agency
Facsimile:  (416) 842-4023
Email:   RBCAgentNotices@rbccm.com

 

With a copy to:
Royal Bank of Canada
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Suite 3900
Houston, Texas  77056
Attention:  Mark Lumpkin
Facsimile:  713-403-5624

 

(iii) for all correspondence related to Letter of Credit requests, to it at

 

Royal Bank of Canada
One Liberty Plaza
3rd Floor
New York, NY  10006-1404
Attention:  Manager Trade Products
Telephone:  212-428-6235
Facsimile:  212-428-6332

 

(iv) if to any other Lender, in its capacity as such, or any other Lender in its capacity as an Issuer, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to ARTICLE II ,   ARTICLE III ,   ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

 

Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments .

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(a) No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuer or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, each Issuer and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 12.02(b) , and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Lender or the Issuer may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Security Instrument securing the payment or performance of the Obligations hereunder, nor any provision thereof, may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Majority Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, or the Collateral Agent (as applicable), with the consent of the Required Majority Lenders; provided that the consent of the Required Majority Lenders, or any other party other than the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, or the Collateral Agent (as applicable), shall not be required for amendments to the Security Instruments solely for the purpose of adding additional collateral to secure the payment and performance of the Obligations; provided further that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Maximum Credit Commitment Amount of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) increase the Borrowing Base RBL Component (or modify any defined terms or the methodology for calculating the RBL Component if the effect of such modification is to increase the RBL Component) without the written consent of each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender, decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base without the consent of the Required Lenders or modify the definition of Midstream Component (or any defined terms or the methodology for calculating the Midstream Component) if the effect of such modification is to increase the Midstream Component , or modify in any manner Section 2.07 without the consent of each Lender (except as permitted pursuant to Section 2.07(g) ), (iii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or Letter of Credit Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or Letter of Credit Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or any other Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone or extend the Termination Date or the Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (v) change any Loan Document in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, including without limitation, Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) , (vi) waive or amend Section 6.01 ,   Section 8.13 or Section 10.02(c) or change the definition of the terms “Domestic Subsidiary”,

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“Foreign Subsidiary”, “Material Domestic Subsidiary” or “Subsidiary”, without the written consent of each Lender, (vii) release any Guarantor (except as set forth in the Guarantee Agreement), release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.10 ), or reduce the percentage set forth in Section 8.13(a) to less than 80%, without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, or the Issuer hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such other Agent or such Issuer, as the case may be, (ix) amend or modify the definition of Obligations to delete or exclude any obligation or liability described therein without the written consent of each Lender, or (x) permit the Borrower to assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or other Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplement to Schedule 7.14 (Subsidiaries) shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such, and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders.

 

Section 12.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

 

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Arranger including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Arranger, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses and, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, including expenses in connection with Intralinks, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Arranger as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer, the Arranger, and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses, Taxes, assessments and other charges incurred by any Agent, or any Lender in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein, (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Issuer in connection with the amendment of any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer or any demand for payment thereunder, (iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent, Arranger, the Issuer or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel, any local counsel or special counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section 12.03 , or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including, without limitation, all such reasonable out-

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of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

(b) THE BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT, THE ARRANGER, EACH ISSUER AND EACH LENDER, AND THE AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “ INDEMNITEE ”) AGAINST, AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE REASONABLE FEES, AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE PERFORMANCE BY THE PARTIES HERETO OR THE PARTIES TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, (ii) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iii) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (iv) ANY LOAN OR LETTER OF CREDIT OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY REFUSAL BY THE ISSUER TO HONOR A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT UNDER A LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUED BY SUCH ISSUER IF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH DEMAND DO NOT STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT, (v) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES BY THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (vi) ANY ASSERTION BY A THIRD PARTY THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (vii) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (viii) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN VIOLATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OR ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED PRESENCE OR RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR FROM ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN VIOLATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, (ix) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (x) ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OR LAWS RELATING TO ANY HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (xi) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM,

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LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE (A) DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE OR (B) IN RESPECT OF ANY PROPERTY FOR ANY OCCURRENCE ARISING FROM THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER DURING THE PERIOD AFTER WHICH SUCH PERSON, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS HAVE OBTAINED TITLE AND POSSESSION OF SUCH PROPERTY BY FORECLOSURE OR DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE).

 

(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to such Agent or the Issuer under Section 12.03(a) or (b) , each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent or such Issuer, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent or such Issuer in its capacity as such.

 

(d) To the extent permitted by Governmental Requirements, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

(e) All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days of written demand therefor.

 

Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns

 

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuer that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or

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obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.04 .  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuer that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in Section 12.04(c) ) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, each Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) (i)  Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 12.04(b)(ii) , any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee (including all or a portion of its Loan Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(1) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to any other Eligible Assignee; and

 

(2) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender, immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment.

 

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(1) except in the case of an assignment to an assignee that is a  Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Loan Commitment, the amount of the Loan Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(2) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(3) except in the case of an assignment to an Affiliate of a Lender, the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

 

(4) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

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(iii) Subject to Section 12.04(b)(iv) and the acceptance and recording of an Assignment and Assumption, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of   Section 5.01 ,   Section 5.02 ,   Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 ).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 12.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 12.04(c) .

 

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Maximum Credit Commitment Amount of, and principal amount of the Loans and Letter of Credit Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuer and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuer and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  In connection with any changes to the Register, if necessary, the Administrative Agent will reflect the revisions on Annex I and forward a copy of such revised Annex I to the Borrower, each Issuer and each Lender.

 

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 12.04(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by Section 12.04(b) , the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 12.04(b) .

 

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower the Administrative Agent or the Issuer, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Loan Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuer and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations

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under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the proviso to Section 12.02 that affects such Participant.  In addition such agreement must provide that the Participant be bound by the provisions of Section 12.03 .  Subject to Section 12.04(c)(ii) , the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01 ,   Section 5.02 and Section 5.03 (in each case, without duplication of any benefits afforded the Lender granting the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by   assignment pursuant to Section 12.04(b) .  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.01(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.01 or Section 5.03 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.03 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 5.03(f) and (g) as though it were a Lender.

 

(iii) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank ; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

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Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement

 

(a) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuer or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Loan Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Section 5.01 ,   Section 5.02 ,   Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 and ARTICLE XI shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Loan Commitments or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

(b) To the extent that any payments on the Obligations or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Obligations so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect.  In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated, and the Borrower shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

 

Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .  

 

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

 

(b) This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

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(c) Except as provided in Section 6.01 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or electronic mail in portable document format (pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.07 Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 12.08 Right of Setoff .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations (of whatsoever kind, including, without limitations obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owed to such Lender now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section 12.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or its Affiliates may have.

 

Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW PERMITS ANY LENDER TO CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, RECEIVE, RESERVE OR TAKE INTEREST AT THE RATE ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE SUCH LENDER IS LOCATED. 

 

(a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN EITHER CASE LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT

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MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.  THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE A PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

 

(b) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 12.01 OR SUCH OTHER ADDRESS AS IS SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.01 (OR ITS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION), SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF A PARTY OR ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(c) EACH PARTY HEREBY (i) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (ii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (iii) CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (iv) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.09

 

Section 12.10 Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 12.11 Confidentiality .  Each of the Agents, each Issuer and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory or self-regulatory authority or body, (c) to the extent required by Governmental Requirements or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under

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any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 12.11 , to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to the Borrower and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (i) to any credit insurance provider relating to the Borrower and its Obligations so long as any such credit insurance provider is party to a written agreement by which it is subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Section 12.11 .  For the purposes of this Section 12.11 , “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and their businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Section 12.12 Maximum Interest .  It is the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly to applicable usury laws, and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Obligations of the Borrower to each Lender under this Agreement shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required to the extent that receipt thereof would be contrary to provisions of law applicable to such Lender limiting rates of interest that may be charged or collected by such Lender.  Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious under Governmental Requirements (including the Federal and state laws of the United States of America, or of any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable) with respect to a Lender, then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is agreed as follows: (a) the provisions of this Section 12.12 shall govern and control; (b) the aggregate of all consideration that constitutes interest under Governmental Requirements that is contracted for, charged or received under this Agreement, or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in connection with this Agreement by such Lender shall under no circumstances exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, and any excess shall be credited to the Borrower by such Lender (or, if such consideration shall have been paid in full, such excess promptly refunded to the Borrower); (c) all sums paid, or agreed to be paid, to such Lender for the use, forbearance and detention of the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by Governmental Requirements, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such indebtedness until payment in full so that the actual rate of interest is uniform throughout the full term thereof; and (d) if at any time the interest provided pursuant to Section 3.02 , together with any other fees and expenses payable pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and deemed interest under Governmental Requirements, exceeds that amount that would have accrued at the Highest Lawful Rate, then the amount of interest and any such fees to accrue to such Lender pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited, notwithstanding anything to

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the contrary in this Agreement, to that amount that would have accrued at the Highest Lawful Rate, but any subsequent reductions, as applicable, shall not reduce the interest to accrue to such Lender pursuant to this Agreement below the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest accrued pursuant to this Agreement and such fees deemed to be interest equals the amount of interest that would have accrued to such Lender if a varying rate per annum equal to the interest provided pursuant to Section 3.02 had at all times been in effect, plus the amount of fees that would have been received but for the effect of this Section 12.12 .

 

Section 12.13 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS .  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”

 

Section 12.14 Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements .  The benefit of the Security Instruments and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any collateral securing the Obligations shall also extend to and be available to Swap Counterparties to any Swap Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on a pro rata basis in respect of any obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that arise under any such Swap Agreements; provided that, with respect to any Swap Transaction that remains secured after the Swap Counterparty thereto is no longer a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or the outstanding Obligations have been repaid in full and the Commitments have terminated, the provisions of Article XI shall also continue to apply to such counterparty in consideration of its benefits hereunder and each such counterparty shall, if requested by the Administrative Agent, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to evidence the continued applicability of the provisions of Article XI .  No Swap Counterparty shall have any voting rights or consent under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Swap Agreements.

 

Section 12.15 No Third Party Beneficiaries .  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans and the Issuer to issue, amend, renew or extend Letters of Credit hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person

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(including, without limitation, any Subsidiary of the Borrower, any obligor, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuer or any Lender for any reason whatsoever.  There are no third party beneficiaries.

 

Section 12.16 USA Patriot Act Notice .  Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each Obligor, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and each Obligor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and each Obligor in accordance with the Act.

 

Section 12.17 Amendment and Restatement .  The parties hereto agree that on the Closing Date, the following transactions shall be deemed to occur automatically, without further action by any party hereto:

 

(a) the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety in the form of this Agreement;

 

(b) the Loans shall serve to extend, renew and continue, but not to extinguish or novate, the Existing Loans and the corresponding promissory notes and to amend, restate and supersede, but not to extinguish or cause to be novated the Existing Obligations under, the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

(c) the Borrower hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Existing Loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be deemed to be outstanding under and payable by this Agreement;

 

(d) all Existing Obligations (including any Existing Obligations that have accrued, but are not payable, as of the Closing Date) shall, to the extent not paid on the Closing Date, be deemed to be Obligations outstanding (and in the case of any accrued Existing Obligations that have accrued, but are not payable, as of the Closing Date, such accrued Existing Obligations shall be paid on the date or dates that such Existing Obligations were due under the Existing Agreement);

 

(e) the Liens in favor of Administrative Agent securing payment of the Existing Obligations shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Obligations and are hereby reaffirmed in accordance with the Security Documents; and

 

(f) the parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents do not constitute a novation, payment and reborrowing or termination of the Existing Obligations and that all such Existing Obligations are in all respects continued and outstanding as Obligations under this Agreement with only the terms being modified from and after the effective date of this Agreement as provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

Section 12.18 No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility .  It is hereby understood and agreed that the General Partner shall have no personal liability, as general partner or otherwise, for the payment of any amount owing or to be owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit.  In furtherance

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of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree for themselves and their respective successors and assigns that no claim arising against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Loan Document with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit shall be asserted against the General Partner (in its individual capacity), any claim arising against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Loan Document with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit shall be made only against and shall be limited to the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and no judgment, order or execution entered in any suit, action or proceeding, whether legal or equitable, on this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit shall be obtained or enforced against the General Partner (in its individual capacity) or its assets for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction and payment of the Obligations with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit or any claims arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document with respect to the Loan Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit, any right to proceed against the General Partner individually or its respective assets being hereby expressly waived by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Lenders for themselves and their respective successors and assigns.  Nothing in this Section 12.18 , however, shall be construed so as to prevent the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender from commencing any action, suit or proceeding with respect to, or causing legal papers to be served upon, the General Partner for the purpose of (a) obtaining jurisdiction over the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (b) obtaining judgment, order or execution against the General Partner arising out of any fraud or intentional misrepresentation by the General Partner in connection with the Loan Documents or (c) the recovery of moneys received by the General Partner in violation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

 

 

 

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The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP, a

 

Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: Charles C. Ward

 

 

Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND
COLLATERAL AGENT:

 

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ,

 

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:  Yvonne Brazier

 

Title:    Manager, Agency Services

 

 

 

 

 

ISSUER AND LENDER:

 

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ,
as Issuer and a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:  Evans Swann, Jr.

 

Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE CIT BANK, N.A. (f/k/a OneWest Bank, N.A.) , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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COMPASS BANK, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SUNTRUST BANK, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ONEWEST BANK CAPITAL ONE, N.A. ,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

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CITIBANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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COMERICA BANK,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CREDIT SUISSE AG,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

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ING CAPITAL LLC,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

Title:   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ANNEX I

LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT ELECTED COMMITMENT AMOUNT; COMMITMENT AMOUNTS

AGGREGATE MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNT

 

 

 

NAME OF LENDER

APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE

MAXIMUM CREDIT
COMMITMENT

AMOUNT

 

 

 

Royal Bank of Canada

25.00000000 14.00000000 %

$ 125,000,000.00 28,000,000.00

Société Générale

25.00000000%

$125,000,000.00

Compass Bank

18.18181818 12.50000000 %

$ 90,909,090.91 25,000,000.00

SunTrust Bank

18.18181818 12.50000000 %

$ 90,909,090.91 25,000,000.00

OneWest Bank Capital One, N.A.

13.63636364 12.50000000 %

$ 68,181,818.18 25,000,000.00

Comerica Bank

12.50000000%

$25,000,000.00

Citibank, N.A.

9.00000000%

$18,000,000.00

Credit Suisse AG

9.00000000%

$18,000,000.00

ING Capital LLC

9.00000000%

$18,000,000.00

CIT Bank, N.A.

9.00000000%

$18,000,000.00

TOTAL

100.00000000%

$ 500,000,000.00 200,000,000.00

 

 


Exhibit 99.1

PICTURE 1

                                     

News Release

 

 

General Inquiries: (877) 847-0008

www. sanchezpp .com

Investor Contact: Charles C. Ward

                                (877) 847-0009

 

 

Sanchez Production Partners   Completes Midstream Acquisition; Reiterates Distribution Plan and
Provides Management Updates

HOUSTON --( M ARKETWIRED)-- Oct .   14 ,   201 5 -- Sanchez Production Partners L P (NYSE MKT: SP P) (“SPP” or the “Partnership”) today announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of pipeline, gathering and compression assets located in Western Catarina, in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, from Sanchez Energy Corporation (NYSE: SN) (the “Western Catarina Midstream Transaction”).

As a result of the Western Catarina Midstream Transaction, the Partnership’s management intends to recommend that the board of directors of its general partner approve a plan to begin distributions at an initial annualized rate of $1.60 per unit.  Subject to approval of the plan at the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting, the Partnership anticipates that a distribution of $0.40 per unit will be paid in November 2015 for the third quarter 2015.  The Partnership expects to provide further distribution guidance and updates on plans for growth along with its third quarter 2015 earnings release in November 2015.

 

Management Commentary

“We see exciting times ahead for the Partnership,” said Gerry Willinger, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of SPP.  “We believe the Western Catarina Midstream


 

Transaction results in a balance sheet and distribution metrics that provide a solid base for future growth.  Our ability to execute the transaction under challenging conditions is a testament to the team we have assembled at the Partnership and the support we currently see for our strategic plan and path forward.  In today’s challenging energy market environment, we believe that the Partnership is well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities stemming from organic growth and the acquisition activity that we anticipate will increase as market conditions evolve.”

 

Acquisition Financing

In conjunction with the Western Catarina Midstream Transaction, the Partnership completed its previously announced sale of Class B Preferred Units to Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners (“Stonepeak”), a private equity firm that focuses on the infrastructure space.  The Partnership also completed amendments to its $500 million credit facility.  Pursuant to those amendments, the borrowing base under the credit facility increased from $110 million to $200 million, excluding the value of the Partnership’s Oklahoma and Kansas assets.  SPP currently has $106 million in debt outstanding under the credit facility, which matures in March 2020.  As a result of the amendments and lower utilization of the borrowing base, the interest rate paid by the Partnership on the debt outstanding decreased by 0.50%.

“We are very pleased with the strong support received in conjunction with the Partnership’s financing of the Western Catarina Midstream Transaction,” added Mr. Willinger.  “With bank commitments that exceeded our expectations, the amended credit facility and larger bank group provides the borrowing capacity, hedge capabilities, and bank support needed to quickly respond to the opportunities we see in the marketplace.  We look forward to working with our bank group as we grow the Partnership over time.”

 

Management Update

In connection with the issuance of the Class B Preferred Units, Stonepeak has received two seats on the board of directors of SPP’s general partner and has appointed Luke Taylor and Jack Howell to fill those seats. 

Mr. Taylor is a Senior Managing Director with Stonepeak.  He has been investing in infrastructure for over 14 years, sits on the board of Paradigm Energy Partners, Casper Crude to Rail Holdings, and Energizing Co., and is a former director of Orion Holdings and Northstar Renewable


 

Power.  Prior to joining Stonepeak, Mr. Taylor was a Senior Vice President with Macquarie Capital based in New York. 

Mr. Howell is a Principal with Stonepeak.  Prior to joining Stonepeak, he covered the oil and gas sector for Davidson Kempner, a hedge fund that focuses on distressed investments.  Prior to Davidson Kempner, Mr. Howell worked for Denham Capital, an energy-focused private equity firm.  Mr. Howell started his career in Credit Suisse’s oil and gas investment banking group.

 

Other Information

Additional information on the Western Catarina Midstream Transaction and related financing can be found in SPP’s filings with the Securities Exchange Commission ( www.sec.gov ), which are also available on SPP’s website  ( www.sanchezpp.com ).

 

About the Partnership

Sanchez Production Partners LP (NYSE MKT: SPP) is a publicly-traded limited partnership focused on the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of midstream and other energy production assets.  The Partnership owns an oil and natural gas gathering and processing system located in the Eagle Ford Shale in Dimmit and Webb Counties, Texas.  The Partnership also currently owns producing reserves in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, the Gulf Coast region of Texas and Louisiana, and across several basins in Oklahoma and Kansas.  The Partnership announced in March 2015 that is exploring the possible divestiture of its assets and operations in Oklahoma and Kansas.

 

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners ( www.stonepeakpartners.com ) is a North America focused private equity firm with a conservative yet opportunistic approach to infrastructure investing.  Stonepeak invests in businesses comprised of hard assets with leading market positions primarily in the following sectors:  Energy, Power and Renewables, Transportation, Utilities, Water and Communications.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, and the officers and representatives of the Partnership and its general partner may from time to time make, statements that are considered forward–looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 


 

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about our: business strategy; acquisition strategy; financial strategy; anticipated effects of transactions; timing or ability to make, maintain and grow distributions; drilling locations; oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves; realized oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices; production volumes; lease operating expenses, general and administrative expenses and development costs; future operating results; and plans, objectives, expectations, forecasts, outlook and intentions.  All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements.    In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management.  These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors.  Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control.  In addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur.  Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and elsewhere in those filings.  The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

 


 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the risk factors included in the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, that relate to our business in general, which may be applicable to our acquisition, ownership and operation of the gathering system described in this Form 8-K, the following are additional risk factors specifically relating to the gathering system.

Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K to “we,” “our” or “us” means Sanchez Production Partners LP and its subsidiaries.

Because all of our revenue relating to the operation of the gathering system is expected to be derived from Sanchez Energy Corporation (“Sanchez Energy”), any development that materially and adversely affects Sanchez Energy’s operations, financial condition or market reputation could have a material and adverse impact on us.

We are substantially dependent on Sanchez Energy as our only current customer for utilization of the gathering system, and we expect to derive a substantial majority of our revenues relating to the gathering system from Sanchez Energy for the foreseeable future.  As a result, any event, whether in our area of operations or otherwise, that adversely affects Sanchez Energy’s production, drilling and completion schedule, financial condition, leverage, market reputation, liquidity, results of operations or cash flows may adversely affect our revenues and cash available for distribution.  Accordingly, we are indirectly subject to the business risks of Sanchez Energy, including, among others:

·

the speculative nature of drilling wells;

·

a reduction in or slowing of Sanchez Energy’s development program, which would directly and adversely impact demand for our gathering and processing services;

·

a decline in natural gas, NGLs and oil prices, which have recently been extremely volatile and have declined rapidly;

·

the availability of capital on an economic basis to fund Sanchez Energy’s exploration and development activities;

·

Sanchez Energy’s ability to replace reserves;

·

Sanchez Energy’s drilling and operating risks, including potential environmental liabilities;

·

Sanchez Energy’s ability to finance its operations and development activities;

·

transportation capacity constraints and interruptions;

·

adverse effects of governmental and environmental regulation; and

·

losses from pending or future litigation.

In addition, recent lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices have caused and may further cause Sanchez Energy to record ceiling limitation impairments, which would adversely affect its future business and development.  Sanchez Energy utilizes the full cost method of accounting to account for its oil and natural gas exploration and development


 

activities.  Under this method of accounting, the company is required on a quarterly basis to determine whether the book value of its oil and natural gas properties (excluding unevaluated properties) is less than or equal to the “ceiling,” based upon the expected after-tax present value (discounted at 10%) of the future net cash flows from the proved reserves.  Any excess of the net book value of the oil and natural gas properties over the ceiling must be recognized as a non-cash impairment expense.  Sanchez Energy recorded a full cost ceiling test impairment before income taxes of approximately $441.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and approximately $213.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Based on the expectation that the current decline in average prices will continue during 2015, Sanchez Energy could incur additional non-cash impairments to its full cost pool in 2015.  These impairments along with a substantial and sustained decline in oil and natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect its future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures.

We are subject to the risk of non-payment or non-performance by Sanchez Energy, including with respect to our gathering and processing agreement.  We cannot predict the extent to which Sanchez Energy’s business would be impacted if conditions in the energy industry were to deteriorate, nor can we estimate the impact such conditions would have on Sanchez Energy’s ability to execute its drilling and development program or perform under our gathering and processing agreement.  Any material non-payment or non-performance by Sanchez Energy would reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

In addition, due to our relationship with Sanchez Energy, our ability to access the capital markets, or the pricing or other terms of any capital markets transactions, may be adversely affected by any impairment to Sanchez Energy’s financial condition or adverse changes in its credit ratings.

Any material limitation on our ability to access capital as a result of such adverse changes at Sanchez Energy could limit our ability to obtain future financing under favorable terms, or at all, or could result in increased financing costs in the future.  Similarly, material adverse changes at Sanchez Energy could negatively impact our unit price, limiting our ability to raise capital through equity issuances or debt financing, or could negatively affect our ability to engage in, expand or pursue our business activities, and could also prevent us from engaging in certain transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us.

Because of the natural decline in production from existing wells, our success depends, in part, on Sanchez Energy’s ability to replace declining production.  Any decrease in volumes of natural gas, NGLs and oil that Sanchez Energy produces or any decrease in the number of wells that Sanchez Energy completes could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The volumes that support the gathering system depend on the level of production from wells connected to the gathering system, which may be less than expected and will naturally decline over time.  To the extent Sanchez Energy reduces its activity or otherwise ceases to drill and complete wells, revenues for our gathering and processing services will be directly and adversely affected.  In addition, volumes from completed wells will naturally decline and our cash flows associated with these wells will also decline over time.  In order to maintain or increase throughput levels on the gathering system, we must obtain new sources of natural gas, NGLs and oil from Sanchez Energy or other third parties.  The primary factors affecting our ability to obtain additional sources of natural gas, NGLs and oil include (i) the success of Sanchez Energy’s drilling activity in our areas of operation, (ii) Sanchez Energy’s acquisition of additional acreage and (iii) our ability to obtain additional dedications of acreage from Sanchez Energy or new dedications of acreage from other third parties.

We have no control over Sanchez Energy’s or other producers’ levels of development and completion activity in our areas of operation, the amount of reserves associated with wells connected to the gathering system or the rate at which production from a well declines.  We have no control over Sanchez Energy or other producers or their development plan decisions, which are affected by, among other things:

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the availability and cost of capital;

·

prevailing and projected prices for natural gas, NGLs and oil;


 

·

demand for natural gas, NGLs and oil;

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levels of reserves;

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geologic considerations;

·

environmental or other governmental regulations, including the availability and maintenance of drilling permits and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing; and

·

the costs of producing natural gas, NGLs and oil and the availability and costs of drilling rigs and other equipment.

Under the terms of Sanchez Energy’s Catarina lease, Sanchez Energy is subject to annual drilling and development requirements.  For example, a the present time, the lease requires Sanchez Energy to drill 50 wells per year.  If Sanchez Energy fails to meet this minimum drilling commitment, Sanchez Energy would forfeit its acreage under the lease not held by production.  Such a forfeiture could impact Sanchez Energy’s ability to develop additional acreage and replace declining production.

Fluctuations in energy prices can also greatly affect the development of reserves.  Sanchez Energy could elect to reduce its drilling and completion activity if commodity prices decrease.  Declines in commodity prices could have a negative impact on Sanchez Energy’s development and production activity, and if sustained, could lead to a material decrease in such activity.  Sustained reductions in development or production activity in our areas of operation could lead to reduced utilization of our services.

Due to these and other factors, even if reserves are known to exist in areas served by the gathering system, Sanchez Energy and other producers may choose not to develop, or be prohibited from developing, those reserves.  If reductions in development activity result in our inability to maintain the current levels of throughput on the gathering system, those reductions could reduce our revenue and cash flow and adversely affect our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

Our gas gathering and processing agreement with Sanchez Energy contains provisions that can reduce the cash flow stability that the agreement was designed to achieve.

Our gas gathering and processing agreement with Sanchez Energy is designed to generate stable cash flows for us over the life of the minimum volume commitment contract term while also minimizing direct commodity price risk.  Under the minimum volume commitment, subject to certain adjustments, Sanchez Energy has agreed to ship a minimum volume of natural gas, NGLs and oil on the gathering system or, in some cases, to pay a minimum monetary amount, over certain periods during the term of the minimum volume commitment, which is the first five years of the 15-year term of the gathering and processing agreement.  In addition, the gas gathering and processing agreement also includes a minimum quarterly quantity, which is a total amount of natural gas, NGLs and oil that Sanchez Energy must flow on the gathering system (or an equivalent monetary amount) each quarter during the minimum volume commitment term.  If Sanchez Energy’s actual throughput volumes are less than its minimum volume commitment for the applicable period, it must extend the minimum volume commitment term on a nominal volume basis, but to no longer than the original five years (subject to certain exceptions), or, in some cases, make a shortfall payment to us at the end of that contract quarter, as applicable.  The amount of the shortfall payment is based on the difference between the actual throughput volume shipped, processed or offset through an extension of the minimum volume commitment term for the applicable period and the minimum volume commitment for the applicable period, multiplied by the applicable fee.  To the extent that Sanchez Energy’s actual throughput volumes are above its minimum volume commitment for the applicable period, the gas gathering and processing agreement contains provisions that allow Sanchez Energy to use the excess volumes as a credit to shorten the minimum volume commitment term, but to no less than four years.

Under certain circumstances, it is possible that the combined effect of the minimum volume commitment provisions could result in our receiving no revenues or cash flows from Sanchez Energy in a given period.  In the most extreme circumstances:


 

·

we could incur operating expenses with no corresponding revenues from Sanchez Energy; or

·

Sanchez Energy could cease shipping throughput volumes at a time when its aggregate minimum volume commitment has been satisfied with previous throughput volume shipments, which could be in as early as four years.

If either of these circumstances were to occur, it would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

We do not intend to obtain independent evaluations of natural gas, NGLs and oil reserves connected to the gathering system on a regular or ongoing basis; therefore, in the future, volumes of natural gas, NGLs and oil on the gathering system could be less than we anticipate.

We have not obtained and do not intend to obtain independent evaluations of the natural gas, NGLs and oil reserves, including those of Sanchez Energy, connected to the gathering system on a regular or ongoing basis.  Moreover, even if we did obtain independent evaluations of the natural gas, NGLs and oil reserves connected to the gathering system, such evaluations may prove to be incorrect.  Crude oil and natural gas reserve engineering requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas and assumptions concerning future crude oil and natural gas prices, future production levels and operating and development costs.

Accordingly, we may not have accurate estimates of total reserves dedicated to some or all of the gathering system or the anticipated life of such reserves.  If the total reserves or estimated life of the reserves connected to the gathering system are less than we anticipate and we are unable to secure additional sources of natural gas, NGLs and oil, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

Interruptions in operations at the gathering system may adversely affect our operations and cash flows available for distribution to our unitholders.

Our operations depend upon the infrastructure that we have developed, constructed or acquired.  Any significant interruption at any of our gathering, treating or processing facilities, or in our ability to gather, treat or process natural gas, NGLs and oil, would adversely affect our operations and cash flows available for distribution to our unitholders.  Operations at our facilities could be partially or completely shut down, temporarily or permanently, as the result of circumstances not within our control, such as:

·

unscheduled turnarounds or catastrophic events at our physical plants or pipeline facilities;

·

restrictions imposed by governmental authorities or court proceedings;

·

labor difficulties that result in a work stoppage or slowdown;

·

a disruption in the supply of resources necessary to operate the gathering system;

·

damage to our facilities resulting from natural gas, NGLs and oil that do not comply with applicable specifications; and

·

inadequate transportation or market access to support production volumes, including lack of availability of pipeline capacity.

Our right-of-first-offer with Sanchez Energy for midstream assets is subject to risks and uncertainty, and thus may not enhance our ability to grow our business.

Pursuant to the purchase agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of midstream assets in the Western Catarina area from Sanchez Energy, subject to certain exceptions, Sanchez Energy has agreed to provide us the first right to make an offer to purchase midstream assets that it desires to transfer to any unaffiliated person during


 

the next 15 years.  The acquisition of additional assets in connection with the exercise of our right-of-first-offer will depend upon, among other things, our ability to agree on the price and other terms of the sale, our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for the acquisition of such assets and our ability to acquire such assets on the same or better terms than third parties.  We can offer no assurance that we will be able to successfully acquire any assets pursuant to this right.

In addition, Sanchez Energy is under no obligation to accept any offer made by us.  Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, we may decide not to exercise this right when it becomes available.

The gathering system is concentrated in two counties in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in one major geographic area.

All of the gathering system is located in two counties in the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas.  As a result of this concentration, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of regional supply and demand factors, delays or interruptions of production from wells in this area caused by governmental regulation, market limitations or interruption of the processing or transportation of natural gas, NGLs or oil.

A shortage of equipment and skilled labor in the Eagle Ford Shale could reduce equipment availability and labor productivity and increase labor and equipment costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Gathering and processing services require special equipment and laborers skilled in multiple disciplines, such as equipment operators, mechanics and engineers, among others.  The increased levels of production in the Eagle Ford Shale may result in a shortage of equipment and skilled labor.  If we experience shortages of necessary equipment or skilled labor in the future, our labor and equipment costs and overall productivity could be materially and adversely affected.  If our equipment or labor prices increase or if we experience materially increased health and benefit costs for employees, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to attract additional third-party volumes, which could limit our ability to grow and would increase our dependence on Sanchez Energy.

Part of our long-term growth strategy includes identifying additional opportunities to offer gathering, processing and transportation services to other third parties.  Our ability to increase throughput on the gathering system and any related revenue from third parties is subject to numerous factors beyond our control, including competition from third parties and the extent to which we have available capacity when requested by third parties.  To the extent that we lack available capacity on the gathering system for third-party volumes, we may not be able to compete effectively with third-party gathering systems for additional volumes.  In addition, some of our competitors for third-party volumes have greater financial resources and access to larger supplies of oil and natural gas than those available to us, which could allow those competitors to price their services more aggressively than us.  Moreover, the underlying lease for the properties on which the gathering system is located restricts the gathering system to the handling of hydrocarbons produced on the properties covered by the lease.

We may not be able to attract material third-party service opportunities.  Our efforts to attract new unaffiliated customers may be adversely affected by (i) our relationship with Sanchez Energy, certain rights that it has under our gathering and processing agreement and the fact that a substantial portion of the capacity of the gathering system will be necessary to service Sanchez Energy’s production and development and completion schedule, (ii) the current nature of the gathering system, (iii) our desire to provide services pursuant to fee-based contracts and (iv) the existence of current and future dedications to other gatherers by potential third-party customers.  As a result, we may not have the capacity or ability to provide services to third parties, or potential third-party customers may prefer to obtain services pursuant to other forms of contractual arrangements under which we would be required to assume direct commodity exposure.

Increased competition from other companies that provide gathering services could have a negative impact on the demand for our services, which could adversely affect our financial results.


 

Our ability to renew or replace volume of throughput after the expiration of the five-year minimum volume commitment from the gathering and processing agreement with Sanchez Energy at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected by the activities of our competitors.  The gathering system competes primarily with other natural gas, NGL and oil gathering systems.  Some competitors have greater financial resources than us and may now, or in the future, have access to greater supplies of natural gas, NGLs and oil than we do.  Some of these competitors may expand or construct gathering systems that would create additional competition for the services we provide to Sanchez Energy or other future customers.  In addition, Sanchez Energy or other future customers may develop their own gathering systems instead of using the midstream assets.  Moreover, Sanchez Energy and its affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us outside of the dedicated areas.

All of these competitive pressures could make it more difficult for us to retain Sanchez Energy as a customer and/or attract new customers as we seek to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

If third-party pipelines or other midstream facilities interconnected to the gathering system become partially or fully unavailable, our operating margin, cash flow and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be adversely affected.

The gathering system connects to other pipelines or facilities owned and operated by unaffiliated third parties.  The continuing operation of third-party pipelines, compressor stations and other midstream facilities is not within our control.  These pipelines, plants and other midstream facilities may become unavailable because of testing, turnarounds, line repair, maintenance, reduced operating pressure, lack of operating capacity, regulatory requirements and curtailments of receipt or deliveries due to insufficient capacity or because of damage from severe weather conditions or other operational issues.  In addition, if the costs to us to access and transport on these third-party pipelines significantly increase, our profitability could be reduced.  If any such increase in costs occurs or if any of these pipelines or other midstream facilities become unable to receive or transport natural gas, NGLs or oil, our operating margin, cash flow and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be adversely affected.

Increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing could result in reductions or delays in natural gas, NGLs and oil production by Sanchez Energy, which could reduce the throughput on the gathering system and adversely impact our revenues.

A substantial portion of Sanchez Energy’s natural gas, NGLs and oil production is being developed from unconventional sources, such as shale formations.  These reservoirs require hydraulic fracturing completion processes to release the liquids and natural gas from the rock so it can flow through casing to the surface.  Hydraulic fracturing is a well stimulation process that utilizes large volumes of water and sand (or other proppant) combined with fracturing chemical additives that are pumped at high pressure to crack open previously impenetrable rock to release hydrocarbons.  Hydraulic fracturing is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions and similar agencies.  Various studies are currently underway by the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, and other federal and state agencies concerning the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities.  For example, the EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act in 2014 requesting comments related to disclosures for hydraulic fracturing chemicals.  At the same time, certain environmental groups have suggested that additional laws may be needed to more closely and uniformly regulate the hydraulic fracturing process, and legislation has been proposed by some members of the U.S. Congress to provide for such regulation.  We cannot predict whether any such legislation will ever be enacted and if so, what its provisions would be.  If additional levels of regulation and permits were required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal or state level, that could lead to delays and process prohibitions that could reduce the volumes of liquids and natural gas that move through the gathering system, which in turn could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

Sanchez Energy may incur significant liability under, or costs and expenditures to comply with, environmental and worker health and safety regulations, which are complex and subject to frequent change.

As an owner, lessee or operator of gathering pipelines and compressor stations, we are subject to various stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment.  Numerous governmental authorities, such as the EPA and analogous state agencies, have the power to


 

enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, oftentimes requiring difficult and costly response actions.  These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to our and our customer’s operations, including the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities, the incurrence of capital or operating expenditures to limit or prevent releases of materials from our or our customers’ operations, the imposition of specific standards addressing worker protection, and the imposition of substantial liabilities and remedial obligations for pollution or contamination resulting from our and our customer’s operations.  Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in joint and several, strict liability and the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations.  Private parties, including the owners of the properties through which the gathering system pass and facilities where wastes resulting from our operations are taken for reclamation or disposal, may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage.  We may not be able to recover all or any of these costs from insurance or Sanchez Energy under the gathering and processing agreement.  In addition, we may experience a delay in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits, which may interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenues, which in turn could affect our profitability.  There is no assurance that changes in or additions to public policy regarding the protection of the environment will not have a significant impact on our operations and profitability.

The operation of the gathering system also poses risks of environmental liability due to leakage, migration, releases or spills from our operations to surface or subsurface soils, surface water or groundwater.  Certain environmental laws impose strict as well as joint and several liability for costs required to remediate and restore sites where hazardous substances, hydrocarbons, or solid wastes have been stored or released.  We may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken.  In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations.  Moreover, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years.  The trend of more expansive and stringent environmental legislation and regulations applied to the crude oil and natural gas industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and consequently affecting profitability.

We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of pipeline integrity management program testing and any related pipeline repair or preventative or remedial measures.

The United States Department of Transportation has adopted regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs for transportation pipelines located where a leak or rupture could do the most harm in “high consequence areas.” The regulations require operators to:

·

perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity;

·

identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a high consequence area;

·

improve data collection, integration and analysis;

·

repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and

·

implement preventive and mitigating actions.

The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011, among other things, increases the maximum civil penalty for pipeline safety violations and directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate rules or standards relating to expanded integrity management requirements, automatic or remote-controlled valve use, excess flow valve use, leak detection system installation and testing to confirm the material strength of pipe operating above 30% of specified minimum yield strength in high consequence areas.  In September 2013, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, finalized rules consistent with the signed act that increased


 

the maximum administrative civil penalties for violations of the pipeline safety laws and regulations that occur after January 2012 to $200,000 per violation per day, with a maximum of $2,000,000 for a related series of violations.  Should our operation of the gathering system fail to comply with DOT or comparable state regulations, we could be subject to substantial penalties and fines.  In addition, in May 2011, PHMSA published a final rule adding reporting obligations and integrity management standards to certain rural low-stress hazardous liquid pipelines that were not previously regulated in such manner.

PHMSA has also published advanced notices of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments on the need for changes to its safety regulations, including whether to extend the integrity management requirements to additional types of facilities pipelines, such as gathering pipelines and related facilities.  In addition, in 2012, PHMSA issued an advisory bulletin providing guidance on the verification of records related to pipeline maximum allowable operating pressure, which could result in additional requirements for the pressure testing of pipelines or the reduction of maximum operating pressures.  The adoption of these and other laws or regulations that apply more comprehensive or stringent safety standards could require us to install new or modified safety controls, pursue new capital projects, or conduct maintenance programs on an accelerated basis, all of which could require us to incur increased operational costs that could be significant.  While we cannot predict the outcome of legislative or regulatory initiatives, such legislative and regulatory changes could have a material effect on our cash flow.

We do not own all of the land on which the gathering system is located, which could result in disruptions to our operations.

We do not own all of the land on which the gathering system has been constructed, and we are, therefore, subject to the possibility of more onerous terms or increased costs to retain necessary land use if we do not have valid rights-of-way or if such rights-of-way lapse or terminate.  We currently have certain rights to construct and operate our pipelines on land owned by third parties for a specific period of time and may need to obtain other rights in the future from third parties and governmental agencies to continue these operations or expand the gathering system.  Our loss of these rights or inability to obtain additional rights, through our inability to renew or obtain right-of-way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to you.

Acquiring the gathering system may not be beneficial to us.

Consummating the gathering system involves potential risks, including:

·

the failure to realize expected profitability, growth or accretion;

·

environmental or regulatory compliance matters or liabilities;

·

the temporary diversion of management’s attention from our existing businesses; and

·

the incurrence of unanticipated liabilities and costs for which indemnification is unavailable or inadequate.

If these risks or other unanticipated liabilities materialize, any desired benefits of the gathering system acquisition may not be fully realized, if at all, and our revenues and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

The amended credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial covenants and requires periodic borrowing base redeterminations.

We depend on the amended credit facility for future capital needs.  The amended credit facility restricts our ability to obtain additional financing, make investments, lease equipment, sell assets and engage in business combinations.  We are also required to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios.  Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control, including events and circumstances that may stem from the condition of financial markets and commodity price levels.  Our failure to comply with any of the restrictions and


 

covenants under the amended credit facility could result in an event of default, which could cause all of our existing indebtedness to become immediately due and payable.  Each of the following is also an event of default:

·

failure to pay any principal when due or any interest, fees or other amount prior to the expiration of certain grace periods;

·

a representation or warranty made under the loan documents or in any report or other instrument furnished thereunder is incorrect when made;

·

failure to perform or otherwise comply with the covenants in the amended credit facility or other loan documents, subject, in certain instances, to certain grace periods;

·

any event that permits or causes the acceleration of the indebtedness;

·

bankruptcy or insolvency events involving us or our subsidiaries;

·

certain changes in control as specified in the covenants to the amended credit facility;

·

the entry of, and failure to pay, one or more adverse judgments in excess of $2.5 million or one or more non-monetary judgments that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect and for which enforcement proceedings are brought or that are not stayed pending appeal; and

·

specified events relating to our employee benefit plans that could reasonably be expected to result in liabilities in excess of $2.5 million in any year.

The amended credit facility will mature on March 31, 2020.  We may not be able to renew or replace the facility at similar borrowing costs, terms, covenants, restrictions or borrowing base, or with similar debt issue costs.

The amount available for borrowing at any one time under the amended credit facility is limited to the separate borrowing bases associated with our oil and natural gas properties and our midstream assets.  The borrowing base for the credit available for the upstream oil and gas properties will be re-determined semi-annually in the second and fourth quarters of the year, and may be re-determined at our request more frequently and by the lenders, in their sole discretion, based on reserve reports as prepared by petroleum engineers, using, among other things, the oil and natural gas pricing prevailing at such time.  The borrowing base for the credit available for our midstream properties will be equal to the rolling four quarter EBITDA of our midstream operations multiplied by 5.0 initially, 4.75 for the second full quarter after the midstream acquisition and 4.5 thereafter.  Outstanding borrowings in excess of our borrowing base must be repaid or we must pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral.  We may elect to pay any borrowing base deficiency in three equal monthly installments such that the deficiency is eliminated in a period of three months.  Any increase in our borrowing base must be approved by all of the lenders.

The amended credit facility contains a condition to borrowing and a representation that no material adverse effect has occurred, which includes, among other things, a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on the business, operations, property, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of us and our subsidiaries who are guarantors taken as a whole.  If a material adverse effect were to occur, we would be prohibited from borrowing under the facility and we would be in default under the facility, which could cause all of our existing indebtedness to become immediately due and payable. 

We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to increase our asset base.  If we are unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, our ability to make cash distributions may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase.

In order to increase our asset base, we will need to make expansion capital expenditures.  If we do not make sufficient or effective expansion capital expenditures, we will be unable to expand our business operations and, as a result, we will be unable to increase our future cash distributions.  To fund our expansion capital expenditures and investment capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from our operations or incur borrowings.  Such uses


 

of cash from our operations will reduce cash available for distribution to our unitholders.  Alternatively, we may sell additional common units or other securities to fund our capital expenditures.  Our ability to obtain bank financing or our ability to access the capital markets for future equity or debt offerings may be limited by our or Sanchez Energy’s financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering and the covenants in our existing debt agreements, as well as by general economic conditions, contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control.  Even if we are successful in obtaining the necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.  In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional limited partner interests may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain the then-current distribution rate, which could materially decrease our ability to pay distributions at the prevailing distribution rate.  None of our general partner, Sanchez Energy or any of their respective affiliates is committed to providing any direct or indirect support to fund our growth.

If we do not complete expansion projects or make and integrate acquisitions, our future growth may be limited.

A principal focus of our strategy is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that we pay to our unitholders over time.  Our ability to increase our distributions depends on our ability to complete expansion projects and make acquisitions that result in an increase in cash generated.  We may be unable to complete successful, accretive expansion projects or acquisitions for any of the following reasons:

·

an inability to identify attractive expansion projects or acquisition candidates or we are outbid by competitors;

·

an inability to obtain necessary rights-of-way or governmental approvals, including from regulatory agencies;

·

an inability to successfully integrate the businesses that we develop or acquire;

·

an inability to obtain financing for such expansion projects or acquisitions on economically acceptable terms, or at all;

·

incorrect assumptions about volumes, reserves, revenues and costs, including synergies and potential growth; or

·

an inability to secure adequate customer commitments to use the newly developed or acquired facilities.