UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2019

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 001-12719

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

76-0466193

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (713) 780-9494

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading symbol  Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share GDP NYSE American

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

  

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

☐  

  

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

The Registrant had 12,152,318 shares of common stock outstanding on May 13, 2019.



 

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (unaudited)

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

5

  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (unaudited) 6

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

7

ITEM 2

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

22

ITEM 3

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

30

ITEM 4

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

31

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

32

ITEM 1

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

32

ITEM 1A

RISK FACTORS

32

ITEM 2 UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 32

ITEM 6

EXHIBITS

33

 

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1—Financial Statements

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 

ASSETS

               

CURRENT ASSETS:

               
Cash and cash equivalents   $ -     $ 4,068  
Accounts receivable, trade and other, net of allowance     1,400       744  
Accrued oil and natural gas revenue     12,228       14,464  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives     1,826       803  
Inventory     584       596  
Prepaid expenses and other     488       533  

Total current assets

    16,526       21,208  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

               
Unevaluated properties     231       180  
Oil and natural gas properties (full cost method)     234,242       206,097  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment and other capital assets     4,307       1,360  
      238,780       207,637  
Less: Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization     (52,695 )     (42,447 )

Net property and equipment

    186,085       165,190  
Deferred tax asset     786       786  
Other     543       580  

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 203,940     $ 187,764  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

               
Accounts payable   $ 28,375     $ 25,734  
Accrued liabilities     17,479       16,518  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives     742       -  

Total current liabilities

    46,596       42,252  
Long term debt, net     84,969       76,820  
Accrued abandonment cost     3,886       3,791  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives     -       471  
Other non-current liabilities     1,871       -  

Total liabilities

    137,322       123,334  

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 9)

               

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

               
Preferred stock: 10,000,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, and none issued and outstanding     -       -  
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, and 12,152,318 and 12,150,918 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively     122       122  
Treasury stock (414 and zero shares, respectively)     (5 )     -  
Additional paid in capital     76,606       74,861  
Accumulated deficit     (10,105 )     (10,553 )

Total stockholders’ equity

    66,618       64,430  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $ 203,940     $ 187,764  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 

REVENUES:

               
Oil and natural gas revenues   $ 29,146     $ 11,843  
Other     (6 )     (9 )
      29,140       11,834  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

               
Lease operating expense     3,335       2,566  
Production and other taxes     631       640  
Transportation and processing     4,701       1,312  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization     10,046       3,452  
General and administrative     5,310       5,196  
Other     10       -  
      24,033       13,166  

Operating income (loss)

    5,107       (1,332 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

               
Interest expense     (3,657 )     (2,673 )
Interest income and other expense     6       (7 )
Loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges     (1,008 )     (981 )
      (4,659 )     (3,661 )
                 
Reorganization items, net     -       (331 )
                 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    448       (5,324 )

Income tax benefit

    -       -  

Net income (loss)

  $ 448     $ (5,324 )

PER COMMON SHARE

               
Net income (loss) per common share - basic   $ 0.04     $ (0.47 )
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted   $ 0.03     $ (0.47 )
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic     12,151       11,218  
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted     14,132       11,218  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               
Net income (loss)   $ 448     $ (5,324 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

               
Depletion, depreciation and amortization     10,046       3,452  
Right of use asset depreciation     285       -  
Loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges     1,008       981  
Net cash paid in settlement of derivative instruments     (1,760 )     (384 )
Share-based compensation (non-cash)     1,568       1,675  
Amortization of finance cost, debt discount, paid in-kind interest and accretion     3,193       2,501  
Reorganization items (non-cash) and other     12       331  

Change in assets and liabilities:

               
Accounts receivable, trade and other, net of allowance     (656 )     (1,165 )
Accrued oil and natural gas revenue     2,236       (828 )
Prepaid expenses and other     35       (108 )
Accounts payable     2,641       6,848  
Accrued liabilities     (1,149 )     (1,723 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    17,907       6,256  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               
Capital expenditures     (28,254 )     (28,990 )
Proceeds from sale of assets     1,284       23,209  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (26,970 )     (5,781 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               
Principal payments of bank borrowings     (2,000 )     (16,723 )
Proceeds from bank borrowings     7,000       -  
Issuance cost, net     -       (10 )
Purchase of treasury stock     (5 )     (3 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    4,995       (16,736 )

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (4,068 )     (16,261 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    4,068       25,992  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ -     $ 9,731  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

               
Cash paid for reorganization items, net   $ -     $ 81  
Cash paid for interest   $ 505     $ 175  
Increase (decrease) in non-cash capital expenditures   $ 1,059     $ (8,360 )

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Preferred Stock

   

Common Stock

   

Additional Paid-in

   

Treasury Stock

   

Retained

   

Total Stockholders’

 
   

Shares

   

Value

   

Shares

   

Value

   

Capital

   

Shares

   

Value

   

Deficit

   

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

    -     $ -       10,771     $ 108     $ 68,446       -     $ -     $ (12,303 )   $ 56,251  

Net loss

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (5,324 )     (5,324 )

Share-based compensation

    -       -       -       -       1,776       -       -       -       1,776  

Restricted stock vesting & other

    -       -       203       2       2,224       (75 )     (827 )     -       1,399  

Convertible Second Lien Notes warrant exercises

    -       -       589       6       (6 )     -       -       -       -  

Issuance cost

    -       -       -       -       (34 )     -       -       -       (34 )

Balance at March 31, 2018

    -       -       11,563       116       72,406       (75 )     (827 )     (17,627 )     54,068  
                                                                         

Balance at December 31, 2018

    -     $ -       12,151     $ 122     $ 74,861       -     $ -     $ (10,553 )   $ 64,430  

Net income

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       448       448  

Share-based compensation

    -       -       -       -       1,745       -       -       -       1,745  

Treasury stock activity

    -       -       1       -       -       -       (5 )     -       (5 )

Balance at March 31, 2019

    -     $ -       12,152     $ 122     $ 76,606       -     $ (5 )   $ (10,105 )   $ 66,618  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1—Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (“Goodrich” and, together with its subsidiary, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. (the “Subsidiary”), “we,” “our,” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas on properties primarily in (i) Northwest Louisiana and East Texas, which includes the Haynesville Shale Trend, (ii) Southwest Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana, which includes the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Trend (“TMS”), and (iii) South Texas, which includes the Eagle Ford Shale Trend.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accordingly, certain information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) has been condensed or omitted. This information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or for any interim period.

 

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation. Certain data in prior periods’ financial statements have been adjusted to conform to the presentation of the current period. We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing.

 

Use of Estimates— Our management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposit accounts and temporary cash investments with maturities of ninety days or less at the date of purchase.

 

Accounts Payable—Accounts payable consisted of the following amounts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 
Trade payables   $ 12,275     $ 8,633  
Revenue payables     15,535       16,665  
Prepayments from partners     325       132  
Miscellaneous payables     240       304  

Total Accounts payable

  $ 28,375     $ 25,734  

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Accrued Liabilities—Accrued liabilities consisted of the following amounts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 
Accrued capital expenditures   $ 9,145     $ 8,086  
Accrued lease operating expense     980       1,100  
Accrued production and other taxes     443       338  
Accrued transportation and gathering     3,300       1,888  
Accrued performance bonus     976       3,420  
Accrued interest     402       443  
Accrued office lease     1,332       598  
Accrued general and administrative expense and other     901       645  

Total Accrued liabilities

  $ 17,479     $ 16,518  

 

Inventory –Inventory consists of casing and tubulars that are expected to be used in our capital drilling program. Inventory is carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lower of cost or market.

 

Property and Equipment—Under US GAAP, two acceptable methods of accounting for oil and natural gas properties are allowed. These are the Successful Efforts Method and the Full Cost Method. Entities engaged in the production of oil and natural gas have the option of selecting either method for application in the accounting for their properties. The principal differences between the two methods are in the treatment of exploration costs, the computation of depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expense and the assessment of impairment of oil and natural gas properties. We have elected to adopt the Full Cost Method of accounting. We believe that the true cost of developing a “portfolio” of reserves should reflect both successful and unsuccessful attempts at exploration and production. Application of the Full Cost Method better reflects the true economics of exploring for and developing our oil and gas reserves.

 

Under the Full Cost Method, we capitalize all costs associated with acquisitions, exploration, development and estimated abandonment costs. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with the acquisition of leasehold, as well as drilling and completion activities, but do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Unevaluated property costs are excluded from the amortization base until we make a determination as to the existence of proved reserves on the respective property or impairment. We review our unevaluated properties at the end of each quarter to determine whether the costs should be reclassified to proved oil and natural gas properties and thereby subject to DD&A and the full cost ceiling test. For both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we transferred $0.1 million from unevaluated properties to proved oil and natural gas properties. Our sales of oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to net proved oil and natural gas properties with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.

 

Under the Full Cost Method, we amortize our investment in oil and natural gas properties through DD&A expense using the units of production (the “UOP”) method. An amortization rate is calculated based on total proved reserves converted to equivalent thousand cubic feet of natural gas (“Mcfe”) as the denominator and the net book value of evaluated oil and gas asset together with the estimated future development cost of the proved undeveloped reserves as the numerator. The rate calculated per Mcfe is applied against the periods' production also converted to Mcfe to arrive at the periods' DD&A expense.

 

Depreciation of furniture, fixtures and equipment, consisting of office furniture, computer hardware and software and leasehold improvements, is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which vary from three to five years.

 

Full Cost Ceiling Test—The Full Cost Method requires that at the conclusion of each financial reporting period, the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves (adjusted for hedges and excluding cash flows related to estimated abandonment costs), be compared to the net capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties, net of related deferred taxes. This comparison is referred to as a “ceiling test”. If the net capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties exceed the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves, we are required to write-down the value of our oil and natural gas properties to the value of the discounted cash flows. Estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves are calculated based on a 12-month average pricing assumption.

 

There were no Full Cost Ceiling Test write-downs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Fair Value Measurement—Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of an asset should reflect its highest and best use by market participants, whether in-use or an in-exchange valuation premise. The fair value of a liability should reflect the risk of non-performance, which includes, among other things, our credit risk.

 

We use various methods, including the income approach and market approach, to determine the fair values of our financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which depend on a number of factors, including the availability of observable market data over the contractual term of the underlying instrument. For some of our instruments, the fair value is calculated based on directly observable market data or data available for similar instruments in similar markets. For other instruments, the fair value may be calculated based on these inputs as well as other assumptions related to estimates of future settlements of these instruments. We separate our financial instruments into three levels (levels 1, 2 and 3) based on our assessment of the availability of observable market data and the significance of non-observable data used to determine the fair value of our instruments. Our assessment of an instrument can change over time based on the maturity or liquidity of the instrument, which could result in a change in the classification of the instruments between levels.

 

Each of these levels and our corresponding instruments classified by level are further described below:

 

Level 1 Inputs— unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We have no Level 1 instruments;

 

Level 2 Inputs— quotes that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Included in this level are our 2017 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below) and commodity derivatives whose fair values are based on third-party quotes or available interest rate information and commodity pricing data obtained from third party pricing sources and our creditworthiness or that of our counter-parties; and

 

Level 3 Inputs— unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations, based on our various assumptions and future commodity prices. Included in this level would be our initial measurement of asset retirement obligations.

 

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and payables represented fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations—Asset retirement obligations are related to the abandonment and site restoration requirements that result from the exploration and development of our oil and natural gas properties. We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Accretion expense is included in “Depreciation, depletion and amortization” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 3.

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligations at inception is determined by utilizing the income approach by applying a credit-adjusted risk-free rate, which takes into account the Company’s credit risk, the time value of money, and the current economic state, to the undiscounted expected abandonment cash flows. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligations was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Revenue Recognition—Oil and natural gas revenues are generally recognized upon delivery of our produced oil and natural gas volumes to our customers. We record revenue in the month our production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements and payments for our oil and natural gas sales may not be received for up to 60 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, we are required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. We record a liability or an asset for natural gas balancing when we have sold more or less than our working interest share of natural gas production, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the net liability for natural gas balancing was immaterial. Differences between actual production and net working interest volumes are routinely adjusted. See Note 2.

 

Derivative Instruments—We use derivative instruments such as swaps, collars, futures, forwards and options for purposes of hedging our exposure to fluctuations in the price of crude oil and natural gas. Accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities require that all derivative instruments subject to the requirements of those standards be measured at fair value and recognized as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet. We offset the fair value of our asset and liability positions with the same counter-party for each commodity type. Changes in fair value are required to be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. All of our realized gain or losses on our derivative contracts are the result of cash settlements. We have not designated any of our derivative contracts as hedges; accordingly, changes in fair value are reflected in earnings. See Note 8.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Income Taxes—We account for income taxes, as required, under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

We recognize, as required, the financial statement benefit of an uncertain tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. See Note 7.

 

Net Income or Net Loss Per Common Share—Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stock for each reporting period by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stock for each reporting period by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period, plus the effects of potentially dilutive restricted stock calculated using the treasury stock method and the potential dilutive effect of the conversion of convertible securities, such as warrants and convertible notes, into shares of our common stock. See Note 6.

 

Commitments and Contingencies—Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental remediation costs, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated. Recoveries from third parties, when probable of realization, are separately recorded and are not offset against the related environmental liability. See Note 9.

 

Share-Based Compensation—We account for our share-based transactions using the fair value as of the grant date and recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period.

 

Guarantee—As of March 31, 2019, Goodrich Petroleum Company LLC, the wholly owned subsidiary of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, was the Subsidiary Guarantor of our Convertible Second Lien Notes (as defined below).

 

Debt Issuance Cost—The Company records debt issuance costs associated with its Convertible Second Lien Notes as a contra balance to long term debt, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is amortized straight-line over the life of the Convertible Second Lien Notes. Debt issuance costs associated with our revolving credit facility debt are recorded in other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is amortized straight-line over the life of such debt.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

On August 28, 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU”) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 including the removal, modification and addition of certain disclosure requirements. For all entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. We are evaluating the expected impact these amendments will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) along with other corresponding ASU's during the quarter using a modified retrospective approach. See Note 10 for further details regarding the adoption of the new lease guidance.

 

NOTE 2—Revenue Recognition

 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the series of related ASU's that followed under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC”) Topic 606 (collectively, “Topic 606”). Topic 606 did not change our pattern of timing of revenue recognition. Under Topic 606, revenue is generally recognized upon delivery of our produced oil and natural gas volumes to our customers. Our customer sales contracts include oil and natural gas sales. Under Topic 606, each unit (Mcf or barrel) of commodity product represents a separate performance obligation which is sold at variable prices, determinable on a monthly basis. The pricing provisions of our contracts are primarily tied to a market index with certain adjustments based on factors such as delivery, product quality and prevailing supply and demand conditions in the geographic areas in which we operate. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation and recognize revenue upon delivery of the commodity product when the customer obtains control. Control of our produced natural gas volumes passes to our customers at specific metered points indicated in our natural gas contracts. Similarly, control of our produced oil volumes passes to our customers when the oil is measured either by a trucking oil ticket or by a meter when entering an oil pipeline. The Company has no control over the commodities after those points and the measurement at those points dictates the amount on which the customer's payment is based. Our oil and natural gas revenue streams include volumes burdened by royalty and non-operated working interests. Our revenues are recorded and presented on our financial statements net of the royalty and non-operated working interests. Our revenue stream does not include any payments for services or ancillary items other than sale of oil and natural gas.

 

We record revenue in the month our production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements and payments for our oil and natural gas sales may not be received for up to 60 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, we are required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. We record any differences, which historically have not been significant, between the actual amounts ultimately received and the original estimates in the period they become finalized. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, receivables from contracts with customers were $12.2 million and $14.5 million, respectively.

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue source and by operated and non-operated properties for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

(In thousands)

  Oil Revenue     Gas Revenue    

NGL Revenue

   

Total Oil and Natural Gas Revenues

    Oil Revenue     Gas Revenue    

NGL Revenue

   

Total Oil and Natural Gas Revenues

 
                                                                 
Operated   $ 2,711     $ 20,174     $ -     $ 22,885     $ 3,799     $ 5,801     $ -     $ 9,600  
Non-operated     75       6,182       4       6,261       143       2,096       4       2,243  

Total oil and natural gas revenues

  $ 2,786     $ 26,356     $ 4     $ 29,146     $ 3,942     $ 7,897     $ 4     $ 11,843  

 

 

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 3—Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending asset retirement obligation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Beginning balance as of December 31, 2018

  $ 3,791  
Liabilities incurred     24  
Liabilities settled     (1 )
Accretion expense     72  

Ending balance as of March 31, 2019

  $ 3,886  
Current liability   $ -  
Long term liability   $ 3,886  
 

NOTE 4—Debt

 

Debt consisted of the following balances as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

 

    March 31, 2019     December 31, 2018  
   

Principal

   

Carrying Amount

   

Principal

   

Carrying Amount

 
2017 Senior Credit Facility   $ 32,000     $ 32,000     $ 27,000     $ 27,000  
Convertible Second Lien Notes (1)     55,493       52,969       53,691       49,820  

Total debt

  $ 87,493     $ 84,969     $ 80,691     $ 76,820  

 

(1) The debt discount is being amortized using the effective interest rate method based upon a maturity date of August 30, 2019. The principal includes $15.5 million and $13.7 million of paid in-kind interest as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The carrying value includes $2.5 million and $3.9 million of unamortized debt discount as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the total interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 including contractual interest expense, amortization of debt discount and financing costs (amounts in thousands, except effective interest rates):

 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 
   

Interest Expense

   

Effective
Interest Rate

   

Interest Expense

   

Effective
Interest Rate

 

2017 Senior Credit Facility

  $ 508       6.7 %   $ 173       6.3 %

Convertible Second Lien Notes (1)

    3,149       24.3 %     2,500       24.6 %

Total interest expense

  $ 3,657             $ 2,673          

 

(1) Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included $1.3 million of debt discount amortization and $1.8 million of paid in-kind interest, and interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included $0.9 million of debt discount amortization and $1.6 million of paid in-kind interest.

 

2017 Senior Credit Facility

 

On October 17, 2017, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, the “2017 Credit Agreement”) with the Subsidiary, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain lenders that are party thereto, which provides for revolving loans of up to the borrowing base then in effect (as amended, the “2017 Senior Credit Facility”). The 2017 Senior Credit Facility matures (a) October 17, 2021 or (b) December 30, 2019, if the Convertible Second Lien Notes have not been voluntarily redeemed, repurchased, refinanced or otherwise retired by December 30, 2019. The maximum credit amount under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility as of March 31, 2019 was $250.0 million with a borrowing base of $75.0 million, subject to an elected draw limit of $50.0 million in recognition of the limitation set forth in the Convertible Second Lien Notes. The borrowing base is scheduled to be redetermined in March and September of each calendar year, and is subject to additional adjustments from time to time, including for asset sales, elimination or reduction of hedge positions and incurrence of other debt. Additionally, each of the Subsidiary and the administrative agent may request one unscheduled redetermination of the borrowing base between scheduled redeterminations. The amount of the borrowing base is determined by the lenders in their sole discretion and consistent with their oil and gas lending criteria at the time of the relevant redetermination. We may, however, elect to reduce the proposed borrowing base to a lower draw limit by providing notice to the lenders contemporaneously with each redetermination of the borrowing base. The Company may also request the issuance of letters of credit under the 2017 Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount up to $10.0 million, which reduce the amount of available borrowings under the borrowing base in the amount of such issued and outstanding letters of credit.

 

All amounts outstanding under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company's option, either (i) the alternative base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base that is utilized, or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.75%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base that is utilized. Undrawn amounts under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility are subject to a 0.50% commitment fee. To the extent that a payment default exists and is continuing, all amounts outstanding under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility bear interest at 2.00% per annum above the rate and margin otherwise applicable thereto. As of March 31, 2019, the interest rates on the borrowings from the 2017 Senior Credit Facility were between 5.74% and 7.50%.

 

The 2017 Senior Credit Facility also contains certain financial covenants, including (i) the maintenance of a ratio of Total Debt (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement) to EBITDAX not to exceed 4.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, (ii) in accordance with the second amendment to the 2017 Credit Agreement, beginning with the quarter ended December 31, 2018, a current ratio (based on the ratio of current assets plus availability under the current borrowing base to current liabilities) not to be less than 1.00 to 1.00 and (iii) until no Convertible Second Lien Notes remain outstanding, (A) the maintenance of a ratio of Total Proved PV-10 attributable to the Company’s and Borrower’s Proved Reserves (as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement) to Total Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash not to exceed $10.0 million) not to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 and (B) minimum liquidity requirements.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by a first lien security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiary.

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had a borrowing base of $75.0 million, subject to an elected draw limit of $50.0 million, with $32.0 million outstanding. The Company also had $0.5 million of unamortized debt issuance costs recorded as of March 31, 2019 related to the 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company was not in compliance with all covenants within the 2017 Senior Credit Facility as the current ratio was less than 1.00 to 1.00 primarily due to the elected draw limit of $50.0 million. On April 29, 2019, the Company entered into a Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement with the Subsidiary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which the lenders agreed to waive the Company’s failure to comply with the current ratio financial covenant under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019.

 

2019 Senior Credit Facility

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the Subsidiary, as borrower (in such capacity, the “Borrower”), SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and certain lenders that are party thereto, which provides for revolving loans of up to the borrowing base then in effect (the “2019 Senior Credit Facility”). The 2019 Senior Credit Facility amends, restates and refinances the obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement.

 

The 2019 Senior Credit Facility matures (a)  May 14, 2024 or (b) the date that is 180 days prior to the “Maturity Date” as defined in the New 2L Notes Indenture (as defined below) as in effect on the date of issuance of the New 2L Notes if the New 2L Notes (as defined below) have not been voluntarily redeemed, repurchased, refinanced or otherwise retired by, such date. The maximum credit amount under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility is currently $500 million with an initial borrowing base of $115 million. The borrowing base is scheduled to be redetermined on or about June 1, 2019 and thereafter in March and September of each calendar year, and is subject to additional adjustments from time to time, including for asset sales, elimination or reduction of hedge positions and incurrence of other debt. Additionally, each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may request one unscheduled redetermination of the borrowing base between scheduled redeterminations.  The amount of the borrowing base is determined by the lenders in their sole discretion and consistent with their oil and gas lending criteria at the time of the relevant redetermination. The Borrower may also request the issuance of letters of credit under the 2019 Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount up to $10 million, which reduce the amount of available borrowings under the borrowing base in the amount of such issued and outstanding letters of credit.

 

All amounts outstanding under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) the alternative base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base that is utilized, or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin from 2.50% to 3.50%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base that is utilized. Undrawn amounts under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility are subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.50%, depending on the percentage of the borrowing base that is utilized. To the extent that a payment default exists and is continuing, all amounts outstanding under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility will bear interest at 2.0% per annum above the rate and margin otherwise applicable thereto.

 

The obligations under the 2019 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and secured by a first lien security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Borrower.

 

The 2019 Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the lenders may declare all amounts outstanding under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable.

 

The 2019 Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of (i) a ratio of Net Funded Debt to EBITDAX not to exceed 4.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, (ii) a current ratio (based on the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) not to be less than 1.00 to 1.00 and (iii) from and after the issuance of the 2021 Notes, until no 2021 Notes remain outstanding, a ratio of Total Proved PV10% attributable to the Company’s and Borrower’s Proved Reserves to Total Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash not to exceed $10 million) not to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 and minimum liquidity requirements.

 

 

The foregoing description of the 2019 Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 2019 Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in the foregoing description have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the 2019 Credit Agreement.

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company drew down funds from the 2019 Senior Credit Facility to refinance its obligations under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility and to fund the Redemption (as defined below).

 

Convertible Second Lien Notes

 

On October 12, 2016, the Company and the Subsidiary, entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors (collectively, and together with each of their successors and assigns, the “Purchasers”), in connection with the issuance of $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Second Lien Notes”).

 

The aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Second Lien Notes is convertible at the option of the Purchasers at any time prior to the scheduled maturity date at $21.33 per share representing 1.9 million shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustments. At closing, the Purchasers were issued 10-year costless warrants to acquire 2.5 million shares of common stock. Holders of the Convertible Second Lien Notes have a second priority lien on all assets of the Company, and holders of such warrants have a right to appoint two members to our Board of Directors (the “Board”) as long as such warrants are outstanding.

 

The Convertible Second Lien Notes, as set forth in the agreement, were scheduled to mature on August 30, 2019 or six months after the maturity of our current revolving credit facility but in no event later than March 30, 2020. The 2017 Senior Credit Facility was scheduled to mature no earlier than December 30, 2019; consequently, the Convertible Second Lien Notes were scheduled to mature on March 30, 2020. The Convertible Second Lien Notes bear interest at the rate of 13.50% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. The Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in-kind on the then outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Second Lien Notes by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes or by issuing additional Second Lien Notes (“PIK Interest Notes”). The PIK Interest Notes are not convertible. During such time as the Exit Credit Agreement (but not any refinancing or replacement thereof) was in effect, interest on the Convertible Second Lien Notes had to be paid in-kind. As to the new 2017 Senior Credit Facility, interest on the Convertible Second Lien Notes must be paid in-kind, provided however, that after the quarter ending March 31, 2018, if (i) there is no default, event of default or borrowing base deficiency that has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the ratio of total debt to EBITDAX as defined under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility is less than 1.75 to 1.0 and (iii) the unused borrowing base is at least 25%, then the Company can pay the interest on the Convertible Second Lien Notes in cash, at its election.

 

The indenture governing the Convertible Second Lien Notes (the “Indenture”) contains certain covenants pertaining to us and our Subsidiary, including delivery of financial reports; environmental matters; conduct of business; use of proceeds; operation and maintenance of properties; collateral and guarantee requirements; indebtedness; liens; dividends and distributions; limits on sale of assets and stock; business activities; transactions with affiliates; and changes of control.

 

The Indenture also contains certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of (i) a Total Proved Asset Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit Credit Agreement) not to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 after September 30, 2017, to be determined as of January 1 and July 1 of each year and (ii) minimum liquidity requirements.

 

Upon issuance of the Convertible Second Lien Notes in October 2016, in accordance with accounting standards related to convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion as well as warrants on the debt instrument, we recorded a debt discount of $11.0 million, thereby reducing the $40.0 million carrying value upon issuance to $29.0 million and recorded an equity component of $11.0 million. The debt discount is amortized using the effective interest rate method based upon an original term through August 30, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, $2.5 million of debt discount remains to be amortized on the Convertible Second Lien Notes.

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants within the Indenture governing the Convertible Second Lien Notes.

 

 

Redemption of Convertible Second Lien Notes

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company delivered a notice of redemption to the trustee for the Convertible Second Lien Notes to call for redemption on May 29, 2019 (the “Redemption Date”) approximately $56.7 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes, representing 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes (the “Redemption”). The Company instructed the trustee to provide notice of such redemption to the holders of the Convertible Second Lien Notes on May 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The Convertible Second Lien Notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest from April 15, 2019 to, but not including, the Redemption Date. The Redemption is expected to be funded with proceeds from draws on the 2019 Senior Credit Facility.

 

New Convertible Second Lien Notes 

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company and the Subsidiary entered into a purchase agreement (the “New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement”) with certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager (each such fund or account, together with its successors and assigns, a “New 2L Notes Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Company will issue to the New 2L Notes Purchasers (the “New 2L Notes Offering”) $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “New 2L Notes”). The closing of the New 2L Notes Offering is conditioned upon the Redemption and is expected to occur contemporaneously therewith, subject to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Proceeds from the sale of the New 2L Notes will be used to pay down outstanding borrowings under the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility.

 

The New 2L Notes will be convertible into the Company’s Common Stock at the conversion rate, which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of New 2L Notes to be converted, including any accrued and unpaid interest, divided by the conversion price, which shall initially be $21.33, subject to certain adjustments as described in the Indenture governing the Notes (the “New 2L Notes Indenture”). Upon conversion, the Company must deliver, at its option, either (1) a number of shares of its Common Stock determined as set forth in the New 2L Notes Indenture, (2) cash or (3) a combination of shares of its Common Stock and cash, however the Company's ability to redeem the New 2L Notes with cash is subject to the terms of the 2019 Credit Agreement.

 

The New 2L Notes will be issued and sold to the New 2L Notes Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereunder. The New 2L Notes Purchasers intend to resell the New 2L Notes only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The New 2L Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

 

The New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company and the Subsidiary and obligations of the parties. The foregoing description of the New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 5—Equity

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, no 10 year costless warrants associated with the Convertible Second Lien Notes were exercised. As of March 31, 2019, 150,000 of such warrants remain un-exercised. The Company also did not have a material vesting of its share-based compensation units during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, certain holders of the 10 year costless warrants associated with the Convertible Second Lien Notes exercised 589,375 warrants for the issuance of an equal amount of our one cent par value common stock. The Company received cash for the one cent par value for the issuance of 42,500 common shares. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company issued 201,969 shares of its common stock to employees for payment of a portion of the bonus earned by such employees during 2017 and accrued as of December 31, 2017. The Company repurchased 75,053 of these shares into Treasury for payroll taxes withheld from employees related to the bonus payout, and these Treasury shares were retired in December 2018. The Company did not have a material vesting of its share-based compensation units during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

NOTE 6—Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock was used as the numerator in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company used the treasury stock method in determining the effects of potentially dilutive restricted stock. The following table sets forth information related to the computations of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2019

   

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2018

 
   

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

               

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

  $ 448     $ (5,324 )

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

    12,151       11,218  

Basic net income (loss) per common share

  $ 0.04     $ (0.47 )
                 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

               

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

  $ 448     $ (5,324 )

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

    12,151       11,218  

Common shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Second Lien Notes associated warrants

    150       -  

Common shares issuable upon conversion of warrants of unsecured claim holders

    1,418       -  

Common shares issuable on assumed conversion of restricted stock **

    413       -  

Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

    14,132       11,218  

Diluted net income (loss) per common share (1) (2) (3)

  $ 0.03     $ (0.47 )
                 

(1) Common shares issuable on assumed conversion of share-based compensation were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. **

    -       201  

(2) Common shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Second Lien Notes were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

    1,875       1,875  

(3) Common shares issuable upon conversion of the warrants associated with the Convertible Second Lien Notes and unsecured claim holders were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

    -       1,916  

 

** - Common shares issuable on assumed conversion of share-based compensation assumes a payout of the Company's performance share awards at 100% of the initial units granted (or a ratio of one unit to one common share). The range of common stock shares which may be earned ranges from zero to 250% of the initial performance units granted.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 7—Income Taxes

 

We recorded no income tax expense or benefit for either the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018. We recorded a valuation allowance for our net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2016. We recorded this valuation allowance at this date after an evaluation of all available evidence (including our history of net operating losses) that led to a conclusion that based upon the more-likely-than-not standard of the accounting literature, these deferred tax assets were unrecoverable. The valuation allowance was $84.1 million as of December 31, 2018, which resulted in a net non-current deferred tax asset of $0.8 million appearing on our statement of financial position. The net $0.8 million deferred tax asset relates to Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credits, which are expected to be fully refundable in tax years 2018 - 2021 regardless of the Company's regular tax liability. Considering the Company’s taxable income forecasts, our assessment of the realization of our deferred tax assets has not changed, and we continue to maintain a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2019 aside from the deferred tax asset related to the AMT credits.

 

As of March 31, 2019, we have no unrecognized tax benefits. There were no significant changes to the calculation since December 31, 2018.

 

NOTE 8—Commodity Derivative Activities

 

We use commodity and financial derivative contracts to manage fluctuations in commodity prices. We are currently not designating our derivative contracts for hedge accounting. All derivative gains and losses are from our oil and natural gas derivative contracts and have been recognized in “Other income (expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The following table summarizes gains and losses we recognized on our oil and natural gas derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives (in thousands)

               
Loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges, settled   $ (1,760 )   $ (384 )
Gain (loss) on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges, not settled     752       (597 )

Total loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges

  $ (1,008 )   $ (981 )

 

Commodity Derivative Activity

 

We enter into swap contracts, costless collars or other derivative agreements from time to time to manage commodity price risk for a portion of our production. Our policy is that all derivatives are approved by the Hedging Committee of our Board, and reviewed periodically by the Board.

 

Despite the measures taken by us to attempt to control price risk, we remain subject to price fluctuations for natural gas and crude oil sold in the spot market. Prices received for natural gas sold on the spot market are volatile due primarily to seasonality of demand and other factors beyond our control. Decreases in domestic crude oil and natural gas spot prices will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic basis. We routinely exercise our contractual right to net realized gains against realized losses when settling with our financial counter-parties. Neither our counter-parties nor we require any collateral upon entering into derivative contracts. We would have been at risk of losing $1.6 million had SunTrust Bank been unable to fulfill their obligations as of March 31, 2019.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

As of March 31, 2019, the open positions on our outstanding commodity derivative contracts, all of which were with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and SunTrust Bank, were as follows:

 

Contract Type

 

Daily Volume

   

Total Volume

   

Weighted Average

Fixed Price

   

Fair Value at
March 31, 2019
(In thousands)

 

Oil swaps (Bbls)

                               

2019

    308       84,775     $ 51.08     $ (742 )

Total oil

                          $ (742 )

Natural Gas swaps (MMBtu)

                               

2020 (through March 31, 2020)

    70,000       6,370,000     $ 2.873     $ (787 )

2019

    100,000       27,500,000     $ 2.887     $ 2,613  

Total natural gas

                          $ 1,826  

Total oil and natural gas

                          $ 1,084  

 

During the first quarter of 2019 we entered into the following contract with SunTrust Bank:

 

Contract Type

 

Daily Volume

   

Fixed Price

 

Contract Start Date

 

Contract Termination

Natural gas swap (MMBtu)   30,000     $2.951   April 1, 2019   March 31, 2020

 

The following table summarizes the fair values of our derivative financial instruments that are recorded at fair value classified in each Level as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands). We measure the fair value of our commodity derivative contracts by applying the income approach. See Note 1—“Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies” for our discussion regarding fair value, including inputs used and valuation techniques for determining fair values.

 

Description

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Current Assets   $ -     $ 1,826     $ -     $ 1,826  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Non-current Assets     -       -       -       -  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Current Liabilities     -       (742 )     -       (742 )
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Non-current Liabilities     -       -       -       -  

Total

  $ -     $ 1,084     $ -     $ 1,084  

 

We enter into oil and natural gas derivative contracts under which we have netting arrangements with each counter-party. The following table discloses and reconciles the gross amounts to the amounts as presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

   

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 

Fair Value of Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives

 

Gross

   

Amount

   

As

   

Gross

   

Amount

   

As

 

(in thousands)

 

Amount

   

Offset

   

Presented

   

Amount

   

Offset

   

Presented

 
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Current Assets   $ 3,035     $ (1,209 )   $ 1,826     $ 2,893     $ (2,090 )   $ 803  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Non-current Assets     -       -       -       -       -       -  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Current Liabilities     (1,951 )     1,209       (742 )     (2,090 )     2,090       -  
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives - Non-current Liabilities     -               -       (471 )     -       (471 )

Total

  $ 1,084     $ -     $ 1,084     $ 332     $ -     $ 332  

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 9—Commitments and Contingencies

 

We are party to various lawsuits from time to time arising in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, royalty, contract, personal injury, and environmental claims. We have established reserves as appropriate for all such proceedings and intend to vigorously defend these actions. Management believes, based on currently available information, that adverse results or judgments from such actions, if any, would not have been material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

NOTE 10—Leases

 

We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, and we elected the transition relief package of practical expedients. We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We lease our corporate office building in Houston, Texas. We recognize lease expense for this lease on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This operating lease is included in furniture, fixtures and equipment and other capital assets, accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The operating lease asset and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. As this lease did not provide an implicit rate, we used a collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date, including lease term, in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease asset includes any lease payments made but excludes annual operating charges. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and reported in general and administrative operating expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We have also entered into leases for certain vehicles and other equipment which are immaterial to our financial statements and have therefore not been recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The lease cost components for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are classified as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2019

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification

 

Building lease cost

  $ 353  

General and administrative expense

 

Variable lease cost (1)

    47  

General and administrative expense

 
    $ 400      

 

(1) Includes building operating expenses.

 

The following are additional details related to our lease portfolio as of March 31, 2019:

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2019

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets Classification

 

Lease asset, gross

  $ 2,922  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment and other capital assets

 
Accumulated depreciation     (285 ) Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization  
Lease asset, net   $ 2,637      
             

Current lease liability

  $ 1,332  

Accrued liabilities

 

Non-current lease liability

    1,871  

Other non-current liabilities

 

Total lease liabilities

  $ 3,203      

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table presents operating lease liability maturities as of March 31, 2019:

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2019

 

2019

  $ 1,155  

2020

    1,540  

2021

    813  

2022

    -  

2023

    -  

Thereafter

    -  

Total lease payments

  $ 3,508  

Less imputed interest

    305  

Present value of lease liabilities

  $ 3,203  

 

The future minimum obligations under operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2018 having a noncancelable term in excess of one year as determined prior to the adoption of ASU 842 are as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

December 31, 2018

 

2019

  $ 3,753  

2020

    1,556  

2021

    513  

2022

    -  

2023

    -  

Thereafter

    -  

Future minimum lease obligations

  $ 5,822  

 

As of March 31, 2019, our office building operating lease has a weighted-average remaining lease term of 2.1 years and a weighted-average discount rate of 8.0 percent. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

NOTE 11—Dispositions

 

On March 1, 2019, the Company closed on the sale of working interests in certain non-core Haynesville Shale Trend oil and gas leases and related facilities in Caddo Parish, Louisiana for total consideration of $1.3 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The disposition was recorded as a reduction to our oil and natural gas properties (full cost method) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

NOTE 12—Subsequent Events

 

On April 29, 2019, the Company entered into a Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement with the Subsidiary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain lenders that are party thereto, pursuant to which the lenders agreed to waive the Company’s failure to comply with the current ratio financial covenant under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019.

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company entered into the 2019 Credit Agreement among the Company, the Subsidiary, as borrower, SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and certain lenders that are party thereto, which provides the 2019 Senior Credit Facility. The 2019 Senior Credit Facility amends, restates and refinances the obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement.

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company delivered a notice of redemption to the trustee for the Convertible Second Lien Notes to call for redemption on May 29, 2019 approximately $56.7 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes, representing 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Convertible Second Lien Notes.

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company and the Subsidiary entered into the New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement with the New 2L Notes Purchasers pursuant to which the Company will issue to the New 2L Notes Purchasers $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021.

 

Please see Note 4—“Debt” for a detailed description of each of these transactions.

 

 

Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We have made in this report, and may from time to time otherwise make in other public filings, press releases and discussions with our management, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), concerning our operations, economic performance and financial condition. These forward-looking statements include information concerning future production and reserves, schedules, plans, timing of development, contributions from oil and natural gas properties, marketing and midstream activities, and also include those statements accompanied by or that otherwise include the words “may,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “potential,” “should,” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. For such statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, or if earlier, as of the date they were made; we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

the market prices of oil and natural gas;

 

volatility in the commodity-futures market;

 

financial market conditions and availability of capital;

 

future cash flows, credit availability and borrowings;

 

sources of funding for exploration and development;

 

our financial condition;

 

our ability to repay our debt;

 

the securities, capital or credit markets;

 

planned capital expenditures;

 

future drilling activity;

 

uncertainties about the estimated quantities of our oil and natural gas reserves;

 

production;

 

hedging arrangements;

 

litigation matters;

 

pursuit of potential future acquisition opportunities;

 

general economic conditions, either nationally or in the jurisdictions in which we are doing business;

 

legislative or regulatory changes, including retroactive royalty or production tax regimes, hydraulic-fracturing regulation, drilling and permitting regulations, derivatives reform, changes in state and federal corporate taxes, environmental regulation, environmental risks and liability under federal, state and foreign and local environmental laws and regulations;

 

the creditworthiness of our financial counter-parties and operation partners; and

 

other factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other public filings, press releases and discussions with our management.

 

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from projected results please read the rest of this report and Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 

Overview

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (“Goodrich” and, together with its subsidiary, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. (the "Subsidiary”), “we,” “our,” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas on properties primarily in (i) Northwest Louisiana and East Texas, which includes the Haynesville Shale Trend, (ii) Southwest Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana, which includes the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Trend (“TMS”), and (iii) South Texas, which includes the Eagle Ford Shale Trend.

 

We seek to increase shareholder value by growing our oil and natural gas reserves, production, revenues and cash flow from operating activities (“operating cash flow”). In our opinion, on a long term basis, growth in oil and natural gas reserves, cash flow and production on a cost-effective basis are the most important indicators of performance success for an independent oil and natural gas company.

 

We strive to increase our oil and natural gas reserves, production and cash flow through exploration and development activities. We develop an annual capital expenditure budget, which is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) on a quarterly basis and revised throughout the year as circumstances warrant. We take into consideration our projected operating cash flow, commodity prices for oil and natural gas and externally available sources of financing, such as bank debt, asset divestitures, issuance of debt and equity securities, and strategic joint ventures, when establishing our capital expenditure budget.

 

We place primary emphasis on our operating cash flow in managing our business. Management considers operating cash flow a more important indicator of our financial success than other traditional performance measures such as net income because operating cash flow considers only the cash expenses incurred during the period and excludes the non-cash impact of unrealized hedging gains (losses), non-cash general and administrative expenses and impairments.

 

Our revenues and operating cash flow depend on the successful development of our inventory of capital projects with available capital, the volume and timing of our production, as well as commodity prices for oil and natural gas. Such pricing factors are largely beyond our control; however, we employ commodity hedging techniques in an attempt to minimize the volatility of short term commodity price fluctuations on our earnings and operating cash flow.

 

Primary Operating Areas

 

Haynesville Shale Trend

 

Our relatively low risk development acreage in this trend is primarily centered in Caddo, DeSoto and Red River parishes, Louisiana and Angelina and Nacogdoches counties, Texas. We have acquired or farmed-in leases totaling approximately 39,100 gross (22,100 net) acres as of March 31, 2019 in the Haynesville Shale Trend. During the first quarter of 2019, we sold a portion of our non-core Haynesville Shale Trend acreage and the associated production located in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. We completed and produced 2 gross (2.0 net) new wells in the first quarter of 2019 and had 3 gross (2.7 net) wells in the drilling or completions phase as of March 31, 2019. Our net production volumes from our Haynesville Shale Trend wells represented approximately 96% of our total equivalent production on a Mcfe basis and substantially all of our natural gas production for the first quarter of 2019. We are focusing on increasing our natural gas production volumes through increased drilling in the Haynesville Shale Trend, where we plan to focus all of our 2019 drilling efforts.

 

Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Trend

 

We have acquired approximately 49,900 gross (34,500 net) lease acres in the TMS as of March 31, 2019 with approximately 39,300 gross (33,000 net) acres held by production. We have 2 gross (1.7 net) TMS wells drilled and awaiting completion. Our net production volumes from our TMS wells represented approximately 3% of our total equivalent production on a Mcfe basis and substantially all of our total oil production for the first quarter of 2019. Despite no capital expenditures, we are seeking to maintain production through strategic expense workover operations in the TMS.

 

 

Eagle Ford Shale Trend

 

We have retained approximately 12,300 net acres of undeveloped leasehold in the Eagle Ford Shale Trend in Frio County, Texas as of March 31, 2019, which is prospective for future development or sale.

 

Results of Operations

 

The items that had the most material financial effect on our net income of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were oil and gas revenues, transportation and processing expense and depletion, depreciation and amortization expense. All these items increased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, which is primarily attributable to production volume increases.

 

The items that had the most material financial effect on our net loss of $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were a $1.0 million loss on our commodity derivatives not designated as hedges, $1.7 million share-based compensation included in general and administrative expense and $2.7 million in interest expense. All but $0.2 million of these items are non-cash expenses.

 

The following table reflects our summary operating information for the periods presented (in thousands, except for price and volume data). Because of normal production declines, increased or decreased drilling activity and the effects of acquisitions or divestitures, the historical information presented below should not be interpreted as indicative of future results.

 

Revenues from Operations

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands, except for price and average daily production data)

 

2019

   

2018

   

Variance

 

Revenues:

                               

Natural gas

  $ 26,360     $ 7,901     $ 18,459       234 %

Oil and condensate

    2,786       3,942       (1,156 )     (29 )%

Natural gas, oil and condensate

    29,146       11,843       17,303       146 %

Net Production:

                               

Natural gas (Mmcf)

    9,060       2,952       6,108       207 %

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

    47       61       (14 )     (23 )%

Total (Mmcfe)

    9,342       3,316       6,026       182 %

Average daily production (Mcfe/d)

    103,795       36,844       66,951       182 %

Average realized sales price per unit:

                               

Natural gas (per Mcf)

  $ 2.91     $ 2.68     $ 0.23       9 %

Natural gas (per Mcf) including the effect of realized gains/losses on derivatives

  $ 2.73     $ 2.69     $ 0.04       1 %

Oil and condensate (per Bbl)

  $ 59.45     $ 65.00     $ (5.55 )     (9 )%

Oil and condensate (per Bbl) including the effect of realized losses on derivatives

  $ 57.06     $ 57.99     $ (0.93 )     (2 )%

Average realized price (per Mcfe)

  $ 3.12     $ 3.57     $ (0.45 )     (13 )%

 

Natural gas, oil and condensate revenues increased by $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily driven by increased natural gas production and higher realized natural gas prices. The increase in natural gas production volumes is attributed to two operated Haynesville Shale Trend wells completed in the first quarter of 2019 and the continued production of five operated and eight non-operated Haynesville Shale Trend wells completed since the first quarter of 2018. The revenue increases were also offset by decreased oil production and lower realized oil prices in the first quarter of 2019 versus the prior year period. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, 90% of our oil and natural gas revenue was attributable to natural gas sales compared to 67% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

As described below, total operating expenses increased $10.9 million to $24.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to increased depreciation, depletion and amortization, transportation expense and lease operating expense discussed further below.

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Operating Expenses (in thousands)

 

2019

   

2018

   

Variance

 

Lease operating expenses

  $ 3,335     $ 2,566     $ 769       30 %

Production and other taxes

    631       640       (9 )     (1 )%

Transportation and processing

    4,701       1,312       3,389       258 %

Operating Expenses per Mcfe

                               

Lease operating expenses

  $ 0.36     $ 0.77     $ (0.41 )     (53 )%

Production and other taxes

  $ 0.07     $ 0.19     $ (0.12 )     (63 )%

Transportation and processing

  $ 0.50     $ 0.40     $ 0.10       25 %

 

Lease Operating Expense

 

Lease operating expense (LOE) increased $0.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in LOE between periods included $0.3 million ($0.04 per Mcfe) of workover expense. The increase in LOE not attributable to workover expense is attributable to increased well count and production for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Per unit LOE will continue to decrease as we increase production in the Haynesville Shale Trend, which carries a much lower per unit LOE than the Company’s current per unit rate.

 

Production and Other Taxes

 

Production and other taxes includes severance and ad valorem taxes. Severance taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $0.4 million, and ad valorem taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $0.3 million, which both remained unchanged from the prior year period.
 

Severance taxes decreased less than $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018. The State of Louisiana has enacted an exemption from the existing 12.5% severance tax on oil and from the $0.111 per Mcf (from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018) and $0.122 per Mcf (starting on July 1, 2018) severance tax on natural gas for horizontal wells with production commencing after July 31, 1994. The exemption is applicable until the earlier of (i) 24 months from the date of first sale of production or (ii) payout of the well. All of our drilled Haynesville Shale Trend wells in Northwest Louisiana are benefiting from this exemption.

 

Ad valorem tax increased by less than $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 due to adding wells offset by property values slightly decreasing. We expect ad valorem taxes to increase as our newly producing wells begin to be valued by the taxing jurisdictions. 

 

 

Transportation and Processing

 

Transportation and processing expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared to the same period in 2018, reflecting increased production from our Haynesville Shale Trend wells. Our natural gas volumes from our operated wells generally carry less transportation cost per Mcf than from wells we do not operate. Despite an increase in our operated natural gas production volumes between periods, our cost per Mcfe increased in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. This per unit increase is partially attributed to the mix of oil and natural gas production volumes during each period as our oil production is not burdened by transportation and processing cost. 

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Operating Expenses (in thousands):

 

2019

   

2018

   

Variance

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 10,046     $ 3,452     $ 6,594       191 %

General and administrative

    5,310       5,196       114       2 %

Other

    10       -       10       100 %

Operating Expenses per Mcfe

                               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 1.08     $ 1.04     $ 0.04       4 %

General and administrative

  $ 0.57     $ 1.57     $ (1.00 )     (64 )%

Other

  $ -     $ -     $ -       0 %

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (“DD&A”)

 

DD&A expense is calculated on the Full Cost Method using the units of production (the “UOP”) method. The increase in DD&A expense was attributed primarily to increased production as well as an increased DD&A rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018.

 

General and Administrative (“G&A”)

 

The Company recorded $5.3 million in G&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which included non-cash expenses of $1.5 million for share-based compensation. G&A expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 by $0.1 million compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to increased legal costs.

 

The Company recorded $5.2 million in G&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which included non-cash expenses of $1.7 million for share-based compensation.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Other income (expense) (in thousands):

 

2019

   

2018

   

Variance

 

Interest expense

  $ (3,657 )   $ (2,673 )   $ (984 )     37 %

Interest income and other

    6       (7 )     13       186 %

Gain (loss) on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges

    (1,008 )     (981 )     (27 )     3 %
                                 
Average funded borrowings adjusted for debt discount   $ 80,588     $ 50,652     $ 29,936       59 %
Average funded borrowings   $ 84,490     $ 58,258     $ 26,232       45 %

 

Interest Expense

 

The Company's interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflected interest payable in cash of $0.5 million incurred on the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below) and non-cash interest of $3.2 million incurred on the Company's 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Convertible Second Lien Notes”), which included $1.8 million of paid in-kind interest and $1.3 million of amortization of debt discount as well as $0.1 million in amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

The Company's interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 reflected interest payable in cash of $0.2 million incurred on the 2017 Senior Credit Facility and non-cash interest of $2.5 million incurred on the Convertible Second Lien Notes, which included $1.6 million of paid in-kind interest and $0.9 million of amortization of debt discount.

 

 

Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

 

The loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was comprised of a $1.8 million loss on cash settlement of natural gas and oil derivative contracts offset by a mark to market gain of $0.8 million, representing the change of the fair value of our open natural gas and oil derivative contracts.

 

Reorganization gain (loss), net
 

We incurred $0.3 million in trustee and legal fees in the three months ended March 31, 2018 before settling the final outstanding bankruptcy claims and closing our bankruptcy in 2018.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

We recorded no income tax expense or benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2019. We recorded a valuation allowance for our net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2016. We recorded this valuation allowance at this date after an evaluation of all available evidence (including our history of net operating losses) that led to a conclusion that based upon the more-likely-than-not standard of the accounting literature, these deferred tax assets were unrecoverable. The valuation allowance was $84.1 million as of December 31, 2018, which resulted in a net non-current deferred tax asset of $0.8 million appearing on our statement of financial position. The net $0.8 million deferred tax asset relates to Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credits, which are expected to be fully refundable in tax years 2018 - 2021 regardless of the Company's regular tax liability. Considering the Company’s taxable income forecasts, our assessment of the realization of our deferred tax assets has not changed, and we continue to maintain a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2019 aside from the deferred tax asset related to the AMT credits.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (“US GAAP”) financial measure that is used by management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income and similar tax, DD&A, share-based compensation expense and impairment of oil and natural gas properties (if any). In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, gains/losses on reorganization and mark-to-market gains/losses on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges are also excluded. Other excluded items include adjustments resulting from the accounting for operating leases under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC”) 842, interest income and any extraordinary non-cash gains or losses. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income (loss) as determined by US GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss), as defined by US GAAP.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-US GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the US GAAP measure of net income (loss), its most directly comparable measure presented in accordance with US GAAP:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2019

   

2018

 
Net income (loss) (US GAAP)   $ 448     $ (5,324 )
Interest expense     3,657       2,673  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization     10,046       3,452  
Share-based compensation expense (non-cash)     1,568       1,675  
Loss on commodity derivatives not designated as hedges, not settled     (752 )     597  
Other items (1)     247       338  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 15,214     $ 3,411  

 

(1)

Other items include $0.3 million from the impact of accounting for operating leases under ASC 842 as well as interest income, reorganization items and other non-recurring income and expense.

 

Management believes that this non-US GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors because it is monitored and used by our management and widely used by professional research analysts in the valuation and investment recommendations of companies within the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Overview

 

Our primary sources of cash during the first three months of 2019 were cash on hand, cash from operating activities, net proceeds from borrowings on our 2017 Senior Credit Facility and proceeds from the sale of assets. We used cash primarily to fund capital expenditures. We currently plan to fund our operations and capital expenditures for the remainder of 2019 through a combination of cash on hand, cash from operating activities and borrowing under our revolving credit facility, although we may from time to time consider the funding alternatives described below.

 

On October 17, 2017, we entered into the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, which provides for revolving loans of up to the borrowing base then in effect. Total lender commitments under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility are $250 million subject to a borrowing base limitation, which as of March 31, 2019 was $75 million, subject to an elected draw limit of $50 million. The 2017 Senior Credit Facility matures on a) October 17, 2021 or b) December 30, 2019, if the Convertible Second Lien Notes have not been voluntarily redeemed, repurchased, refinanced or otherwise retired by December 30, 2019. Revolving borrowings under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility are limited to, and subject to periodic redeterminations of, the borrowing base. The amount of the borrowing base is determined by the lenders in their sole discretion and consistent with their oil and gas lending criteria at the time of the relevant redetermination. We may, however, elect to reduce the proposed borrowing base to a lower draw limit by providing notice to the lenders contemporaneously with each redetermination of the borrowing base. Pursuant to the terms of the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, borrowing base redeterminations will be on a semi-annual basis on or about March 1st and September 1st of each calendar year. The borrowing base is subject to additional adjustments from time to time, including for asset sales, elimination or reduction of hedge positions and incurrence of other debt. Additionally, we and the administrative agent may request one unscheduled redetermination of the borrowing base between scheduled redeterminations. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the lead lender and administrative agent under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

 

We exited the first quarter of 2019 with no cash on hand and $32.0 million of outstanding borrowings with $18 million of availability under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility borrowing base draw limit of $50 million. Due to the timing of payment of our capital expenditures, we reflected a working capital deficit of $30 million as of March 31, 2019. Subsequently, our working capital deficit was not covered by availability under our 2017 Senior Credit Facility due to our draw limit, and we were therefore not in compliance with our current ratio covenant under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. On April 29, 2019, we entered into a Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement with the Subsidiary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which the lenders agreed to waive our failure to comply with the current ratio financial covenant under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019.

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “2019 Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the Subsidiary, as borrower (in such capacity, the “Borrower”), SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and certain lenders that are party thereto, which provides for revolving loans of up to the borrowing base then in effect (the “2019 Senior Credit Facility”). The 2019 Senior Credit Facility amends, restates and refinances the obligations under the 2017 Credit Agreement.

 

The 2019 Senior Credit Facility matures (a) May 14, 2024 or (b) the date that is 180 days prior to the “Maturity Date” as defined in the New 2L Notes Indenture (as defined below) as in effect on the issuance date of the New 2L Notes if the New 2L Notes (as defined below) have not been voluntarily redeemed, repurchased, refinanced or otherwise retired by, such date. The maximum credit amount under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility is currently $500 million with an initial borrowing base of $115 million. The borrowing base is scheduled to be redetermined on or about June 1, 2019 and thereafter in March and September of each calendar year, and is subject to additional adjustments from time to time, including for asset sales, elimination or reduction of hedge positions and incurrence of other debt. Additionally, each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may request one unscheduled redetermination of the borrowing base between scheduled redeterminations.  The amount of the borrowing base is determined by the lenders in their sole discretion and consistent with their oil and gas lending criteria at the time of the relevant redetermination. The Borrower may also request the issuance of letters of credit under the 2019 Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount up to $10 million, which reduce the amount of available borrowings under the borrowing base in the amount of such issued and outstanding letters of credit.

 

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company and the Subsidiary entered into a purchase agreement (the “New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement”) with certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager (each such fund or account, together with its successors and assigns, a “New 2L Notes Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Company will issue to the New 2L Notes Purchasers (the “New 2L Notes Offering”) $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “New 2L Notes”). The closing of the New 2L Notes Offering is conditioned upon the Redemption and is expected to occur contemporaneously therewith, subject to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Proceeds from the sale of the New 2L Notes will be used to pay down outstanding borrowings under the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility.

 

We continuously monitor our leverage position and coordinate our capital program with our expected cash flows and repayment of our projected debt. We will continue to evaluate funding alternatives as needed.

 

Alternatives available to us include:

 

 

availability under the 2019 Senior Secured Credit Facility;

 

issuance of debt securities;

  joint ventures in our TMS and/or Haynesville Shale Trend acreage;
  issuance of equity securities; and
  sale of non-core assets.

 

We have supported our cash flows with derivative contracts that covered approximately 79% of our natural gas sales volumes for the first three months of 2019 and 62% of our oil volumes for the first three months of 2019. For additional information on our derivative instruments see Note 8—“Commodity Derivative Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 

Cash flow statement information:

               

Net cash:

               
Provided by operating activities   $ 17,907     $ 6,256  
Used in investing activities     (26,970 )     (5,781 )
Provided by (used in) financing activities     4,995       (16,736 )

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

  $ (4,068 )   $ (16,261 )

 

Operating activities: Production from our wells, the price of oil and natural gas and operating costs represent the main drivers behind our cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Changes in working capital and net cash settlements related to our derivative contracts also impact cash flows. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $17.9 million including operating cash flows before positive working capital changes of $3.1 million and including a reduction due to net cash payments of $1.8 million in settlement of derivative contracts. The substantial increase in cash provided by operating activities in the current quarter compared to the first quarter 2018 was attributable to a 146% increase in oil and natural gas revenues driven by a 182% increase in equivalent production volumes offset by a 13% decrease in equivalent realized prices.

 

Investing activities: Net cash used in investing activities was $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 which reflected cash expended on capital projects of $28.3 million reduced by $1.3 million cash proceeds received from sale of oil and gas properties. We recorded $29.5 million in capital expenditures in this period. The difference in capital expenditures and cash expended on capital projects for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was attributed to a net capital accrual increase of $1.1 million and capitalization of $0.2 million of asset retirement and non-cash internal costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we conducted drilling and completion operations on 5 gross (4.7 net) wells bringing 2 gross (2.0 net) wells on production with 3 gross (2.7 net) wells remaining in the drilling and completion process at March 31, 2019.

 

Financing activities: Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflects primarily net borrowings under our 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

 

 

Debt consisted of the following balances as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

   

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 
   

Principal

   

Carrying Amount

   

Principal

   

Carrying Amount

 
2017 Senior Credit Facility   $ 32,000     $ 32,000     $ 27,000     $ 27,000  
Convertible Second Lien Notes (1)     55,493       52,969       53,691       49,820  

Total debt

  $ 87,493     $ 84,969     $ 80,691     $ 76,820  

 

(1) The debt discount is being amortized using the effective interest rate method based upon a maturity date of August 30, 2019. The principal includes $15.5 million and $13.7 million of paid in-kind interest as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The carrying value includes $2.5 million and $3.9 million of unamortized debt discount as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

For additional information on our financing activities, see Note 4—“Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements for any purpose.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We believe that certain accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes a discussion of our critical accounting policies and there have been no material changes to such policies during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our primary market risks are attributable to fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates. These fluctuations can affect revenues and cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities. Our risk-management policies provide for the use of derivative instruments to manage these risks. The types of derivative instruments we utilize include futures, swaps, options and fixed-price physical-delivery contracts. The volume of commodity derivative instruments we utilize may vary from year to year and is governed by risk-management policies with levels of authority delegated by our Board. Both exchange and over-the-counter traded commodity derivative instruments may be subject to margin deposit requirements, and we may be required from time to time to deposit cash or provide letters of credit with exchange brokers or its counter-parties in order to satisfy these margin requirements.

 

For information regarding our accounting policies and additional information related to our derivative and financial instruments, see Note 1—“Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies”, Note 4—“Debt” and Note 8—“Commodity Derivative Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Our most significant market risk relates to fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices. Management expects the prices of these commodities to remain volatile and unpredictable. As these prices decline or rise significantly, revenues and cash flow will also decline or rise significantly. In addition, a non-cash write-down of our oil and natural gas properties may be required if future commodity prices experience a sustained and significant decline. We have entered into natural gas and oil derivative instruments in order to reduce the price risk associated with production for the rest of 2019 of approximately 100,000 MMBtu per day and 308 barrels per day, respectively, and in the first quarter of 2020 of 70,000 MMBtu per day. We did not enter into derivatives instruments for trading purposesUtilizing actual derivative contractual volumes, a hypothetical increase of 10% in the underlying commodity prices would have changed the derivative natural gas net asset position to a liability position with a change of $9.1 million and increased the derivative oil liability position by $0.5 million as of March 31, 2019. Likewise, a hypothetical decrease of 10% in the underlying commodity prices would have increased the derivative natural gas net asset position by $9.4 million and decreased the derivative oil liability position by $0.5 million as of March 31, 2019. Furthermore, a gain or loss would have been substantially offset by an increase or decrease, respectively, in the actual sales value of production covered by the derivative instruments.
 

 

Adoption of Comprehensive Financial Reform

 

The adoption of comprehensive financial reform legislation by the United States Congress could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that any material information relating to us is recorded, processed, summarized and reported to our management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, based upon their evaluation as of March 31, 2019, the end of the period covered in this report, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1—Legal Proceedings

 

A discussion of our current legal proceedings is set forth in Part I, Item 1 under Note 9—“Commitments and Contingencies” to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

As of March 31, 2019, we did not have any material outstanding and pending litigation.

 

Item 1A—Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

 

Item 2—Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On May 14, 2019, the Company and the Subsidiary entered into a purchase agreement (the “New 2L Notes Purchase Agreement”) with certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager (each such fund or account, together with its successors and assigns, a “New 2L Notes Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Company will issue to the New 2L Notes Purchasers (the “New 2L Notes Offering”) $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “New 2L Notes”). The closing of the New 2L Notes Offering is conditioned upon the Redemption and is expected to occur contemporaneously therewith, subject to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Proceeds from the sale of the New 2L Notes will be used to pay down outstanding borrowings under the 2019 Revolving Credit Facility.

 

The New 2L Notes will be convertible into the Company’s Common Stock at the conversion rate, which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of New 2L Notes to be converted, including any accrued and unpaid interest, divided by the conversion price, which shall initially be $21.33, subject to certain adjustments as described in the Indenture governing the Notes (the “New 2L Notes Indenture”). Upon conversion, the Company must deliver, at its option, either (1) a number of shares of its Common Stock determined as set forth in the New 2L Notes Indenture, (2) cash or (3) a combination of shares of its Common Stock and cash, however the Company's ability to redeem the New 2L Notes with cash is subject to the terms of the 2019 Credit Agreement.

 

The New 2L Notes will be issued and sold to the New 2L Notes Purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereunder. The New 2L Notes Purchasers intend to resell the New 2L Notes only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The New 2L Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

 

 

Item 6—Exhibits

   

3.1

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, dated October 12, 2016, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).

3.2

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, dated October 12, 2016, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-214080) filed on October 12, 2016).

10.1* Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, as Parent Guarantor, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.
10.2* Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as subsidiary guarantor, and certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager.

31.1*

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

XBRL Schema Document

101.CAL*

XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

XBRL Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

 


*

Filed herewith

**

Furnished herewith

 

 

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: May 14, 2019

By:

/S/ Walter G. Goodrich

 

 

Walter G. Goodrich

 

 

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

     

Date: May 14, 2019

By:

/S/ Robert T. Barker

 

 

Robert T. Barker

 

 

Senior Vice President, Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

34

Exhibit 31.1


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND RULE 15D-14(A)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

 

I, Walter G. Goodrich, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “registrant”);

   

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

     
 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

   

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     
 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: May 14, 2019

 

 

 

/s/ Walter G. Goodrich

 

Walter G. Goodrich

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit 31.2


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND RULE 15D-14(A)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

 

I, Robert T. Barker certify that:

   

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “registrant”);

   

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

     
 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     
 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

     
 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     
 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

   

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

     
 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     
 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: May 14, 2019

 

 

 

/s/ Robert T. Barker

 

Robert T. Barker

 

Senior Vice President, Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Exhibit 32.1


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. § 1350

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Walter G. Goodrich, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

   

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

   

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Walter G. Goodrich

 

Walter G. Goodrich

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

May 14, 2019

 

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company or the certifying officer for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by it and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

Exhibit 32.2


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 18 U.S.C. § 1350

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert T. Barker, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

   

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

   

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Robert T. Barker

 

Robert T. Barker

 

Senior Vice President, Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

May 14, 2019

 

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company or the certifying officer for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by it and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT


DATED AS OF

May 14, 2019

AMONG

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,
as Parent,

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.,
as the Borrower,

SunTrust Bank,
as Administrative Agent,

and

the Lenders party hereto

__________________________________________

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as Syndication Agent

and

 

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

and

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS                                                     1

Section 1.01        Terms Defined Above......................................................................................... 1

Section 1.02        Certain Defined Terms........................................................................................ 2

Section 1.03        Types of Loans and Borrowings........................................................................ 32

Section 1.04        Terms Generally; Rules of Construction............................................................ 32

Section 1.05        Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP................................................. 32

Section 1.06        Times of Day....................................................................................................   33

Section 1.07        Timing of Payment or Performance................................................................... 33

Section 1.08        Divisions...........................................................................................................  33

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS                                                                                                          33

Section 2.01        Commitments....................................................................................................  33

Section 2.02        Loans and Borrowings....................................................................................... 33

Section 2.03        Requests for Borrowings................................................................................... 34

Section 2.04        Interest Elections...............................................................................................  35

Section 2.05        Funding of Borrowings...................................................................................... 36

Section 2.06        Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts...............37

Section 2.07        Borrowing Base................................................................................................. 37

Section 2.08        Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.............................................................40

Section 2.09        Letters of Credit................................................................................................  42

Section 2.10        Defaulting Lenders............................................................................................ 46

ARTICLE III PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES           48

Section 3.01        Repayment of Loans.........................................................................................  48

Section 3.02        Interest..............................................................................................................   48

Section 3.03        Alternate Rate of Interest................................................................................... 49

Section 3.04        Prepayments......................................................................................................  50

Section 3.05        Fees...................................................................................................................  54

ARTICLE IV PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS                   55

Section 4.01        Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs...........................55

Section 4.02        Presumption of Payment by the Borrower......................................................... 56

Section 4.03        Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent...............................................56

Section 4.04        Disposition of Proceeds..................................................................................... 56

ARTICLE V INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES                       57

Section 5.01        Increased Costs................................................................................................. 57

Section 5.02        Break Funding Payments...................................................................................58

Section 5.03        Taxes................................................................................................................. 58

Section 5.04        Designation of Different Lending Office.......................................................... 62

Section 5.05        Replacement of Lenders.................................................................................... 62

Section 5.06        Illegality............................................................................................................  63

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT                                                                                 63

Section 6.01        Closing Date...................................................................................................... 63

Section 6.02        Each Credit Event.............................................................................................. 66

ARTICLE VII REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES                                                       66

Section 7.01        Organization; Powers......................................................................................... 67

Section 7.02        Authority; Enforceability................................................................................... 67

Section 7.03        Approvals; No Conflicts.................................................................................... 67

Section 7.04        Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change...........................................67

Section 7.05        Litigation........................................................................................................... 67

Section 7.06        Environmental Matters...................................................................................... 68

Section 7.07        Compliance with the Laws; No Default.............................................................69

Section 7.08        Investment Company Act.................................................................................. 69

Section 7.09        Taxes................................................................................................................. 69

Section 7.10        ERISA............................................................................................................... 69

Section 7.11        Disclosure; No Material Misstatements.............................................................70

Section 7.12        Insurance........................................................................................................... 70

Section 7.13        Restriction on Liens...........................................................................................70

Section 7.14        Subsidiaries....................................................................................................... 70

Section 7.15        Foreign Operations............................................................................................ 71

Section 7.16        Location of Business and Offices.....................................................................  71

Section 7.17        Properties; Title, Etc.......................................................................................... 71

Section 7.18        Maintenance of Properties................................................................................. 72

Section 7.19        Gas Imbalances.................................................................................................  72

Section 7.20        Marketing of Production.................................................................................... 72

Section 7.21        Security Documents..........................................................................................  72

Section 7.22        Swap Agreements.............................................................................................. 73

Section 7.23        Use of Loans and Letters of Credit.................................................................... 73

Section 7.24        Solvency...........................................................................................................   73

Section 7.25        Foreign Corrupt Practices.................................................................................. 73

Section 7.26        Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC.......................................................... 74

Section 7.27        EEA Financial Institution................................................................................... 74

Section 7.28        Beneficial Ownership Certification...................................................................  74

ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS                                                                            74

Section 8.01        Financial Statements; Other Information...........................................................  74

Section 8.02        Notices of Material Events................................................................................  77

Section 8.03        Existence; Conduct of Business........................................................................  78

Section 8.04        Payment of Obligations.....................................................................................  78

Section 8.05        Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents......................................... 78

Section 8.06        Operation and Maintenance of Properties.......................................................... 78

Section 8.07        Insurance...........................................................................................................  79

Section 8.08        Books and Records; Inspection Rights.............................................................. 79

Section 8.09        Compliance with Laws......................................................................................  80

Section 8.10        Environmental Matters......................................................................................  80

Section 8.11        Further Assurances............................................................................................  81

Section 8.12        Reserve Reports................................................................................................  81

Section 8.13        Title Information...............................................................................................  82

Section 8.14        Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.....................................................83

Section 8.15        ERISA Compliance........................................................................................... 84

Section 8.16        Account Control Agreements............................................................................ 85

Section 8.17        Required Hedges............................................................................................... 85

ARTICLE IX NEGATIVE COVENANTS                                                                                    85

Section 9.01        Financial Covenants.......................................................................................... 85

Section 9.02        Indebtedness..................................................................................................... 86

Section 9.03        Liens................................................................................................................. 87

Section 9.04        Restricted Payments..........................................................................................88

Section 9.05        Investments, Loans and Advances................................................................... 89

Section 9.06        Nature of Business; No International Operations............................................. 90

Section 9.07        Proceeds of Loans............................................................................................. 90

Section 9.08        ERISA Compliance........................................................................................... 91

Section 9.09        Sale or Discount of Receivables........................................................................ 91

Section 9.10        Mergers, Etc...................................................................................................... 92

Section 9.11        Sale of Properties.............................................................................................. 92

Section 9.12        Sales and Leasebacks........................................................................................ 93

Section 9.13        Environmental Matters...................................................................................... 94

Section 9.14        Transactions with Affiliates............................................................................... 94

Section 9.15        Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions.........................................94

Section 9.16        Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments.................................................................... 95

Section 9.17        Swap Agreements..............................................................................................  95

Section 9.18        Amendments to Organizational Documents....................................................... 96

Section 9.19        Changes in Fiscal Periods.................................................................................. 96

Section 9.20        Marketing Activities.......................................................................................... 96

Section 9.21        Agreements Governing Senior Unsecured Notes and Second Lien Debt.......... 96

Section 9.22        Redemption of Senior Unsecured Notes and Second Lien Debt........................ 97

ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES                                                                      97

Section 10.01      Events of Default..............................................................................................   97

Section 10.02      Remedies.......................................................................................................... . 99

ARTICLE XI THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT                                                                       100

Section 11.01      Appointment; Powers...................................................................................... 100

Section 11.02      Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent.............................................100

Section 11.03      Action by Administrative Agent...................................................................... 101

Section 11.04      Reliance by Administrative Agent................................................................... 102

Section 11.05      Subagents........................................................................................................  102

Section 11.06      Resignation of Administrative Agent.............................................................. 102

Section 11.07      Administrative Agent as a Lender....................................................................102

Section 11.08      No Reliance..................................................................................................... 103

Section 11.09      Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.............................................103

Section 11.10      Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Guarantors and Collateral and Liens  104

Section 11.11      Duties of the Arranger and Syndication Agent................................................ 104

Section 11.12      Credit Bidding................................................................................................. 104

Section 11.13      Certain ERISA Matters.................................................................................... 105

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS                                                                                            106

Section 12.01      Notices............................................................................................................ 106

Section 12.02      Waivers; Amendments.................................................................................... 107

Section 12.03      Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver........................................................... 109

Section 12.04      Successors and Assigns.................................................................................. 112

Section 12.05      Survival; Revival; Reinstatement................................................................... 115

Section 12.06      Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness........................................................ 116

Section 12.07      Severability..................................................................................................... 116

Section 12.08      Right of Setoff................................................................................................ 116

Section 12.09      GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY  117

Section 12.10      Headings......................................................................................................... 118

Section 12.11      Confidentiality................................................................................................ 118

Section 12.12      Interest Rate Limitation...................................................................................119

Section 12.13      Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements............................................................ 119

Section 12.14      No Third Party Beneficiaries.......................................................................... 120

Section 12.15      EXCULPATION PROVISIONS..................................................................... 120

Section 12.16      USA Patriot Act Notice................................................................................... 121

Section 12.17      Flood Insurance Provisions............................................................................. 121

Section 12.18      Releases......................................................................................................... . 121

Section 12.19      Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions...... 121

Section 12.20      Effect of Amendment and Restatement........................................................... 122

Section 12.21      Closing Date Maximum Credit Amount and Applicable Percentage; Acknowledgment and Agreement of Exiting Lenders  123

Section 12.22      Existing Credit Agreement............................................................................... 123

Section 12.23   Intercreditor Agreement                                                                                       123

 

 

Annex, Exhibits and Schedules

 

Annex I

List of Maximum Credit Amounts

   

Exhibit A

Form of Note

Exhibit B

Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit C

Form of Interest Election Request

Exhibit D

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit E

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit F

Closing Date Security Instruments

Exhibit G

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit H-1

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-U.S. Lenders; non-partnerships)

Exhibit H-2

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participants; non-partnerships)

Exhibit H-3

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participants; partnerships)

Exhibit H-4

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-U.S. Lenders; partnerships)

Exhibit I

Form of Reserve Report Certificate

Exhibit J

Form of Perfection Certificate

   
   

Schedule 1.01

Permitted Holders

Schedule 7.05

Litigation

Schedule 7.09

Taxes

Schedule 7.14

Loan Parties

Schedule 7.19

Gas Imbalances

Schedule 7.20

Marketing of Production

Schedule 7.22

Swap Agreements

Schedule 8.10(b)

Environmental Matters

Schedule 9.05

Investments

 

 

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of May 14, 2019 is among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Borrower”), each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto and SUNTRUST BANK, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as Issuing Bank.

 

R E C I T A L S

 

A.     The Borrower, Parent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2017 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).

 

B.     The Parent, Wilmington Trust, National Association in its capacity as trustee and collateral agent, and the grantors from time to time party thereto are parties to that certain Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Second Lien Indenture”).

 

C.     The Borrower has requested that (a) the Lenders provide certain loans to and extensions of credit on behalf of the Borrower to (i) refinance all amounts currently due under the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) repay in full the Existing Second Lien Indenture and the obligations thereunder, (iii) provide working capital for lease acquisitions, for exploration and production operations, for development (including the drilling and completion of producing wells), and for acquisitions of oil and gas properties, and (iv) support other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Guarantors, (b) the Lenders amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, and (c) the Issuing Bank provide Letters of Credit.

 

D.     The Borrower desires to continue the liens and security interests that secure both the secured obligations pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and the Secured Obligations contemplated by this Agreement by confirming its prior grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, of a first-priority security interest in and continuing Lien upon substantially all of its assets as contemplated by, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Loan Documents.

 

E.     Parent directly owns all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower and has determined that it is in its best interests to continue the guarantee of both the guaranteed obligations pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and the Secured Obligations contemplated by this Agreement and to confirm its prior pledge and grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, of a first-priority security interest in and continuing Lien upon all of its rights, title and interest in the Equity Interests of the Borrower and substantially all of its other assets as contemplated by, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Loan Documents.

 

F.     In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties 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:

 

2021 Notes” means the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 issued under the Second Lien Indenture on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, substantially in the form attached to the Second Lien Documents Certificate.

 

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

 

Accounting Changes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.05.

 

Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, (and with respect to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” for an Interest Period of one (1) month) an interest rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate. For purposes of this Agreement, the Adjusted LIBO Rate will not be less than zero percent (0%).

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

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

 

Affected Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.06.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts” means, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of the Maximum Credit Amounts in effect at such time, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.06.

 

Agreement” means this Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, including the Annexes, Schedules and Exhibits hereto, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1.0% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for an Interest Period of one (1) month on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.0%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate (or if the LIBO Screen Rate is not available for such one (1) month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clause (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

Applicable Margin” means, for any date, the applicable rate per annum set forth below as determined based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage then in effect:

 

 

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage

< 25%

≥25% and < 50%

≥50% and < 75%

≥75% and < 90%

≥90%

Eurodollar Loans

2.50%

2.75%

3.00%

3.25%

3.50%

ABR Loans

1.50%

1.75%

2.00%

2.25%

2.50%

 

Each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change in the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided, that if at any time the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to Section 8.12(a), then beginning on such date and until such Reserve Report is delivered, 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.

 

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount, which percentage as of the date hereof is set forth on Annex I.

 

Approved Counterparty” means (a) any Secured Swap Provider or (b) any other Person whose long term senior unsecured debt rating at the time a particular Swap Agreement transaction is entered into is A- or A3 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent), respectively, or higher.

 

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Approved Petroleum Engineers” means (a) Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., (b) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (c) Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants, L.P., (d) DeGoyler and McNaugton, and (e) any other independent petroleum engineers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Arranger” means, collectively, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, and RBC Capital Markets, in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.

 

ASC” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, as in effect.

 

Assignee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(b)(i).

 

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, substantially in the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Availability” means, as of any date, the difference between (a) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders on such date less (b) the total Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders on such date.

 

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the Termination Date.

 

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

 

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

 

Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Base” means at any time an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Section 2.07, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.

 

Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions” means Section 2.08(a), Section 2.08(b), Section 2.08(c) and any other provision hereunder which adjusts (as opposed to redetermines) the amount of the Borrowing Base.

 

Borrowing Base Deficiency” occurs, if at any time, the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeds the Borrowing Base then in effect. The amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency at such time is the amount by which the total Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders at such time exceeds the Borrowing Base in effect at such time; provided, that, for purposes of determining the existence and amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency, obligations under any Letter of Credit will not be deemed to be outstanding to the extent such obligations are Cash Collateralized.

 

Borrowing Base Properties” means the Proved Oil and Gas Properties that (a) are included in the Initial Reserve Report and thereafter the most recently delivered Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 8.12 and (b) are given Borrowing Base Value.

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage” means, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders on such day, and the denominator of which is the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.

 

Borrowing Base Value” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property or any Swap Agreement, the value attributed to such asset in connection with the most recent determination of the Borrowing Base as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit B 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 Atlanta, Georgia 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 a conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such Borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent (in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, which shall require such deposit to made into a controlled account), for the benefit of any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any Secured Parties and other Persons as the context requires, as collateral for LC Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and any applicable Issuing Bank shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and any such Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such Cash Collateral and other credit support.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of one (1) year or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition; (d) shares of money market funds investing exclusively in investments described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this definition and (e) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government.

 

Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

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 any Guarantor.

 

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than the Permitted Holders, of Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Parent, (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Parent by Persons who were neither (i) nominated or approved by the board of directors of Parent nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated or approved or (c) Parent shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than, in the case of any Subsidiary other than the Borrower, pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted hereunder.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or (d) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 5.01(b)), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’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, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Closing Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 6.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02).

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Collateral” means all Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Instrument.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make or continue Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) modified from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06, (b) modified from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 12.04(b) or (c) otherwise modified pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The amount representing each Lender’s Commitment shall at any time be the lesser of (i) such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount and (ii) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the then effective Borrowing Base.

 

Commitment Fee Rate” means, for any date, the commitment fee rate per annum set forth below as determined based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage then in effect:

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage

< 25%

≥25% and < 50%

≥50% and < 75%

≥75% and < 90%

≥90%

Commitment Fee

0.375%

0.375%

0.50%

0.50%

0.50%

 

Each change in the Commitment Fee Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change in the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided, that if at any time the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to Section 8.12(a), then beginning on such date and until such Reserve Report is delivered, the “Commitment Fee Rate” shall mean the rate per annum set forth on the grid when the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage is at its highest level.

 

Commodity Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

 

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.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate, signed by a Financial Officer, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

Consolidated” means, when used with reference to financial statements or financial statement items of any Person, such statements or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable principles of consolidation under GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means with respect to Parent and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of Parent 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: (a) the net income of any Person in which Parent or any 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 Parent and the Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash with the proceeds of the operations of such Person during such period by such other Person to the Parent 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 prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) any extraordinary non-cash gains or losses during such period; (d) non-cash gains or losses under FASB ASC Topic 815 resulting from the net change in mark to market portfolio of commodity price risk management activities during that period; and (e) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets, including ceiling test writedowns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any non-cash expense subsequently becomes a cash expense, it will be included in the period during which it became a cash expense.

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries” means each Subsidiary of Parent (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 Parent 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.

 

Control Agreement” means a deposit account control agreement, commodity account control agreement, securities account control agreement (or similar agreement), as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed by the applicable Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the relevant financial institution party thereto, which establishes the Administrative Agent’s control (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) with respect to the applicable Deposit Account, Commodity Account or Securities Account covered thereby.

 

Controlled Account” means (a) a Deposit Account, Commodity Account or Securities Account that is subject to a Control Agreement or (b) in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, a Deposit Account, Commodity Account or Securities Account maintained with the Administrative Agent.

 

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender.

 

Current Assets” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of all amounts that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of Parent and the Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date, plus the unused availability under the Commitments, but excluding all non-cash assets under FASB ASC Topic 815.

 

Current Liabilities” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of all amounts that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of Parent and the Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date, but excluding (a) all non-cash obligations under FASB ASC Topic 815, (b) the current portion of the Loans and obligations in respect of Letters of Credit under this Agreement, and (c) the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

Current Ratio” means, with respect to Parent and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Current Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter (which may be such date of determination) to (b) Current Liabilities as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter (which may be such date of determination).

 

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, any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or Bail-In Action.

 

Deficiency Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(c)(ii).

 

Deposit Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

 

Disposition” means, with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, casualty, condemnation or other disposition thereof. The terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.

 

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 (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which 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 ninety-one (91) days after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) Payment in Full.

 

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.

 

EBITDAX” means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period: (i) interest, and to the extent not reflected in interest, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing and other activities, (ii) income, profits (including margin), capital gains and similar Taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion, amortization, including the amortization of intangible assets established through purchase accounting and the amortization of deferred financing fees for such period, and other noncash charges (including non-cash charges resulting from the requirements of ASC 410 and including, without limitation, equity-based or non-cash compensations charges or expenses), (iv) expenses associated with the exploration of Oil and Gas Properties, (v) (A) costs, charges, and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and (B) costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Investments, acquisitions (or purchases of assets), asset dispositions, recapitalizations, mergers, amalgamations, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness or similar transactions after the Closing Date permitted hereunder; provided that the aggregate amount of add backs under this clause (B) shall not exceed $2,500,000 in any 12 month period as certified by a Financial Officer in any applicable Compliance Certificate, (vi) any net loss from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations, (vii) one-time litigation expenses and charges as the Administrative Agent may approve in its sole discretion, and (viii) expenses and charges covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement and actually reimbursed by a third party; minus (b) all noncash income to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period (including cancellation of indebtedness income and non-cash income resulting from the requirements of ASC 410).

 

For the purposes of calculating EBITDAX for any period, (i) if during such period the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Material Disposition, EBITDAX for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Material Disposition occurred on the first day of such period, and (ii) if during such period, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Material Acquisition, EBITDAX for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such period.

 

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Engineering Reports” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(c)(i).

 

Environmental Laws” means all Governmental Requirements relating to the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the regulation or management of any harmful or deleterious substances, or to health and safety as it relates to environmental protection or exposure to harmful or deleterious substances.

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.

 

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 entity (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary would be treated as a single employer under section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, for purposes of provisions relating to section 412 of the Code and section 302 of ERISA, section 414 (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event, (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a 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, any other Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing (or the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate) of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (e) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, (f) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA, (g) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the incurrence by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan, including but not limited to the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC, (i) on and after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, a determination that a Plan is in “at risk” status (as defined in 303(i)(4) of ERISA or 430(i)(4) of the Code) or (j) the failure of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date, after expiration of any applicable grace period, a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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 Adjusted LIBO Rate.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

 

Excepted Liens” means:

 

(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which 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;

 

(b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations or similar legislation which 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;

 

(c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, 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 each of which is in respect of obligations 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;

 

(d) contractual Liens which 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, in each case, which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which 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 (d) does not materially impair (i) the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Parent or any other Loan Party or (ii) the value of such Property subject thereto;

 

(e) Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provision or customary deposit account terms 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 Parent or any other Loan Party to provide collateral to the depository institution (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents);

 

(f) zoning and land use requirements, easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Parent or any other Loan Party 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, in each case that do not secure any monetary obligations and which in the aggregate do not materially impair (i) the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Parent or any other Loan Party or (ii) the value of such Property subject thereto;

 

(g) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced;

 

(i) encumbrances consisting of deed restrictions, zoning restrictions, and other similar restrictions on the use of Oil and Gas Properties, none of which, in the aggregate, materially impairs the use of such property by the Parent or any other Loan Party in the operation of its business or materially detracts from the value of such properties, and none of which, in the aggregate, is or shall be violated in any material respect by existing proposed operations;

 

(j) Liens, titles and interests of lessors of personal Property leased by such lessors to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, restrictions and prohibitions on encumbrances and transferability with respect to such Property and the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s interests therein imposed by such leases, and Liens and encumbrances encumbering such lessors’ titles and interests in such Property and to which the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s leasehold interests may be subject or subordinate, in each case, whether or not evidenced by UCC financing statement filings or other documents of record; provided that such Liens do not secure Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party and do not encumber Property of the Borrower or any other Loan Party other than the Property that is the subject of such leases;

 

(k) Liens, titles and interests of licensors of software and other intangible personal Property licensed by such licensors to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, restrictions and prohibitions on encumbrances and transferability with respect to such Property and the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s interests therein imposed by such licenses, and Liens and encumbrances encumbering such licensors’ titles and interests in such Property and to which the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s license interests may be subject or subordinate, in each case, whether or not evidenced by UCC financing statement filings or other documents of record; provided that such Liens do not secure Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party and do not encumber Property of the Borrower or any other Loan Party other than the Property that is the subject of such licenses;

 

(l) Liens on cash earnest money deposited pursuant to the terms of an agreement to acquire assets used in, or Persons engaged in, the oil and gas business, as permitted by this Agreement, in order to secure the obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in connection with such agreement;

 

(m) rights reserved to or vested in a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction to control or regulate any Oil and Gas Property in any manner whatsoever and all laws of such Governmental Authority; and

 

(n) consents to assignment and similar contractual provisions affecting any Oil and Gas Property, including customary preferential rights to purchase and calls on production by sellers relating to Hydrocarbon Interests acquired by any Loan Party;

 

provided, further Liens described in clauses (a) through (e) shall remain “Excepted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced, and no intention to subordinate the Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of such Excepted Liens.

 

Excepted Mortgaged Property Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(c)(iii).

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, (a) any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, and only for so long as, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, 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 Guarantor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant,” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, at the time the guarantee of (or grant of such security interest by, as applicable) such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation.

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Credit Party: (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 Credit Party 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 5.05) 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 acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Credit Party’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(g) and Section 5.03(h), and (d) any U.S. withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing 2019 Notes” means the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued under the Existing Second Lien Indenture.

 

Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

Existing Loans” means the “Loans” under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement that are outstanding immediately prior to giving effect to the Closing Date and, which, on the Closing Date, shall be deemed made under this Agreement.

 

Existing Second Lien Documents” means the Existing Second Lien Indenture, the Existing 2019 Notes, all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, mortgages, security agreements and other collateral instruments securing the obligations under the Existing Second Lien Indenture, as each document has been amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified.

 

Existing Second Lien Indenture” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

Exiting Lender” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as “Lender” under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the value of the consideration obtainable in a Disposition of such asset or assets at such date of determination assuming a Disposition by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm’s length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset.

 

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 and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any law, regulation, rule, practice, promulgation or official agreement implementing an official government agreement with respect to the foregoing.

 

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three (3) federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Financial Officer” means, for any Person, the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, controller or other natural person principally responsible for the financial matters of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Financial Officer means a Financial Officer of the Parent.

 

First Lien Multi-State Mortgage” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Mortgage, Deed of Trust, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement, Fixture Filing and Financing Statement, dated as of the date hereof, executed by the Borrower in favor of Brian Y. Guffin, as Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means each fiscal quarter of the Borrower or the Parent, as the context may require, for accounting and tax purposes, ending on the last day of each March, June, September and December.

 

Fiscal Year” means each fiscal year of the Borrower or the Parent, as the context may require, for accounting and tax purposes, ending on December 31 of each year.

 

Flood Insurance Regulations” means collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973), as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert –Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure other than LC Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Funded Debt” means, at any date, all Indebtedness of the Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the type described in clauses (a), (b) (but only to the extent of drawn and unreimbursed obligations with respect thereto), (c), (d), (e), (f) (but only if the underlying “Indebtedness” described in clause (f) would otherwise constitute “Funded Debt”), (j) and (k) (provided that contingent obligations arising under FASB ASC 815 and any mark-to-market Swap Obligations, in each case, whether constituting primary obligations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or obligations guaranteed or secured by the Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, shall not constitute Funded Debt).

 

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 1.05; provided that the accounting for operating leases and Capital Leases Obligations under GAAP as in effect on October 17, 2017 (including, without limitation, Accounting Standards Codification 840) shall apply for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, including the definition of Capital Lease Obligations (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that no operating leases, or obligations in respect of operating leases, shall be treated as Capital Lease Obligations, respectively, hereunder).

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Governmental Requirement” means any law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement having the force of law, whether now or hereinafter in effect, including applicable Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.

 

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of the Closing Date and executed by Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, together with any supplements, modifications or amendments thereto and assumptions or assignments of the obligations thereunder by any Loan Party.

 

Guarantors” means Parent and each of the Borrower’s direct and indirect Material Subsidiaries that guarantees the Secured Obligations pursuant to Section 8.14(b) and any other Subsidiary that guarantees the Secured Obligations at the election of the Borrower.

 

Hazardous Material” means any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste that is defined, regulated or otherwise classified as a “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning under any applicable Environmental Law, and for the avoidance of doubt includes Hydrocarbons, radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, and infectious or medical wastes.

 

Highest Lawful Rate” means, as to any Lender, at the particular time in question, the maximum non-usurious rate of interest which, under applicable law, such Lender is then permitted to contract for, charge or collect from the Borrower on the Loans or the other obligations of the Borrower hereunder, and as to any other Person, at the particular time in question, the maximum non-usurious rate of interest which, under applicable law, such Person is then permitted to contract for, charge or collect with respect to the obligation in question. If the maximum rate of interest which, under applicable law, the Lenders are permitted to contract for, charge or collect from the Borrower on the Loans or the other obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall change after the date hereof, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be automatically increased or decreased, as the case may be, as of the effective time of such change without notice to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

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. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Hydrocarbon Interests” shall mean Hydrocarbon Interests of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the context requires.

 

Hydrocarbons” means all oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and all products refined or separated therefrom and all other minerals which may be produced and saved from or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of any Person, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests or other properties constituting Oil and Gas Properties.

 

Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning given to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means (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, bank guarantees, surety or other bonds and similar instruments;

 

(c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (including insurance premium payables, but excluding any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP) that are more than ninety (90) days past due, other than those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

 

(d) all Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(e) all Indebtedness (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person (provided that, to the extent recourse is limited to such Property, the amount of such Indebtedness for purposes of this clause (e) shall be an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness and the Fair Market Value of the encumbered Property);

 

(f) all Indebtedness (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 Indebtedness (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss;

 

(g) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others and, to the extent entered into as a means of providing credit support for the obligations of others and not primarily to enable such Person to acquire any such Property, all obligations or undertakings of such Person to purchase the Indebtedness or Property of others;

 

(h) all obligations of such Person under take/ship or pay contracts if any goods or services are not actually received or utilized by such Person;

 

(i) any Indebtedness 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;

 

(j) Disqualified Capital Stock;

 

(k) net Swap Obligations of such Person (for purposes hereof, the amount of any net Swap Obligations on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date); and

 

(l) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment. Except as explicitly set forth above, the Indebtedness 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.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, customary obligations associated with firm transport contracts, storage or drilling contracts and minimum volume commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business shall not constitute Indebtedness.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) above, Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.03(b).

 

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.11.

 

Initial Reserve Report” means, collectively, the Reserve Reports dated effective January 28, 2019 and February 1, 2019, delivered to Administrative Agent with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Borrower prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower in accordance with the procedures used in the Reserve Report most recently prepared by the Approved Petroleum Engineers, as supplemented with information, dated effective March 1, 2019, relating to the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Edgar Cason 14&23HC 3ALT-10000 and Edgar Cason 14&23HC 4ALT-10000 wells.

 

Initial Scheduled Redetermination” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement, to be dated as of the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, between Administrative Agent and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as second lien agent and acknowledged and agreed to by Parent, the Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries, substantially in the form attached to the Second Lien Documents Certificate.

 

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit C to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04.

 

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December (or, if an Event of Default is in existence, the last day of each calendar month) to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan and the Maturity Date and (b) 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, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date.

 

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 (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in its Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request, as applicable, given with respect thereto; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar 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 and (c) no Interest Period may have a term which would extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

Interim Redetermination” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).

 

Interim Redetermination Date” means the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.07(d).

 

Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

 

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 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 advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Indebtedness of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Indebtedness of, 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, goods, supplies or services 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 constituting 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, Indebtedness or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

Issuing Bank” means (a) SunTrust Bank and (b) each Lender approved by the Administrative Agent that is reasonably requested by the Borrower that agrees to act as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, in each case, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.09(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. References herein and in the other Loan Documents to an Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to such Issuing Bank in respect of the applicable Letter of Credit or to all Issuing Banks, as the context requires.

 

January 1 Reserve Report” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.12(a).

 

JPMorgan Chase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.20(e).

 

LC Availability Requirements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a).

 

LC Commitment” means an amount equal to $10,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the LC Commitment is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate Commitments.

 

LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

LC Exposure” means, at any time, (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the undrawn stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time plus the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time; provided, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the undrawn maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time, plus the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.

 

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary.

 

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Annex I and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise that is in the Register, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise and is no longer in the Register.

 

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 an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit.

 

LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period (and with respect to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”, for an Interest Period of one (1) month), the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, in each case (the “LIBO Screen Rate”) as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period); provided that, (a) if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and (b) if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for a period equal in length to such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided further, that, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that “LIBO Rate” or “Adjusted LIBO Rate” is used in connection with an ABR Borrowing, such rate shall be determined as modified by the definition of Alternate Base Rate.

 

LIBO Screen Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

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 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, including if they burden Property to the extent they secure an obligation owed to a Person other than the owner of the Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which they have acquired or hold subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, any Notes, any Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letters of Credit, the Security Instruments, the Intercreditor Agreement and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.

 

Loan Party” means Parent, the Borrower and each other Guarantor.

 

Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Majority Lenders” means (a) if there are fewer than three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, all Lenders, (b) if there are three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, two (2) unaffiliated Lenders and (c) if there are more than three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, (i) at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders having greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and (ii) at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans and 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 Acquisition” means any acquisition of Property or series of related acquisitions of Property that involves the payment of consideration by the Parent and its Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property or financial condition of Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties to perform their material obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document, or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender under any Loan Document.

 

Material Disposition” means any disposition of Property or series of related dispositions of Property that involves the payment of consideration to the Parent and its Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000.

 

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) of any Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value.

 

Material Subsidiary” means, as of any date, any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is Wholly-Owned by the Borrower and, together with its Subsidiaries, (a) generates revenues in any Fiscal Year in excess of 5% of the Consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (b) owns assets (after eliminating intercompany obligations) with an aggregate value greater than or equal to 5% of Consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier of (a) May 14, 2024 and (b) the date that is 180 days prior to the “Maturity Date” as defined in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date to the extent that the 2021 Notes have not been voluntarily redeemed, repurchased, refinanced or otherwise retired by such date.

 

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 Amounts”, as the same may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with a reduction or termination of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06, (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by Section 12.04(b) or (c) otherwise modified pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As of the Closing Date, the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts of the Lenders are $500,000,000.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

Mortgage” means the First Lien Multi-State Mortgage and each of the other mortgages or deeds of trust executed by any one or more Loan Parties for the benefit of the Secured Parties as security for the Secured Obligations, together with any supplements, modifications or amendments thereto and assumptions or assignments of the obligations thereunder by any Loan Party. “Mortgages” shall mean all of such Mortgages collectively.

 

Mortgaged Property” means any Property owned by any Loan Party which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of any Mortgage.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Net Funded Debt” means, at any date, (a) Funded Debt less (b) unrestricted cash of the Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.

 

Net Funded Debt Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(a).

 

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by any Loan Party in respect of any Disposition of Property (including any cash subsequently received upon the sale or other Disposition or collection of any non-cash consideration received in any sale), any Unwind of Swap Agreements, any incurrence of Indebtedness, or Casualty Event, net of, unless the Loans have been declared or become due and payable as a result of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i), (a) the direct costs relating to such sale of Property, incurrence of Indebtedness or any Casualty Event (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions paid to unaffiliated third parties), (b) Taxes paid or payable by any Loan Party as a result thereof (after taking into account any tax credits or deductions utilized or reasonably expected to be utilized and any tax sharing arrangements), and (c) reserves for indemnities or purchase price adjustments, until such reserves are no longer needed.

 

New Borrowing Base Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(d).

 

Non-U.S. Lender” means a Lender, with respect to the Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, by and among Parent, Borrower and Franklin Advisers, Inc. (as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts).

 

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Notes” means the promissory notes, if any, 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.

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

Oil and Gas Properties” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the 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 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; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and 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 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, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, 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. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Oil and Gas Properties” shall mean Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the context requires.

 

Organizational Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to such corporation’s jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Original Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

 

Other Connection Taxes” means with respect to any Credit Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Credit Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Credit Party 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 5.05).

 

Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

 

Parent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(c).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(c).

 

Patriot Act” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.16.

 

Payment in Full” means (a) the Commitments have expired or been terminated, (b) the Secured Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full in cash (other than contingent indemnification obligations and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and obligations under or with respect to Secured Swap Agreements), (c) all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or are Cash Collateralized or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of each applicable Issuing Bank or other arrangements satisfactory to each applicable Issuing Bank have been made with respect thereto) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, (d) the Secured Swap Agreements are terminated and all amounts due and payable under Secured Swap Agreements shall have been paid in full in cash (other than (i) Secured Swap Agreements which are cash collateralized or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of the Secured Swap Provider and (ii) Secured Swap Agreements as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Secured Swap Provider have been made) and (e) the Cash Management Agreements have terminated.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as it presently exists or as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a perfection certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J.

 

Permitted Holders” means (a) any Person or group that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, the Equity Interests of Parent on the Closing Date and is listed on Schedule 1.01 hereto, (b) any Affiliates of such Person or group listed in clause (a), and (c) any other Person or group who is organized by such Person or group listed in clause (a) primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Petroleum Industry Standards” means the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan”, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the six calendar years immediately preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate or to which a Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate has any liability.

 

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime lending rate in effect; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is announced as being effective. Such rate is set by the Administrative Agent as a general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; it being understood that many of the Administrative Agent’s commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer and that the Administrative Agent may make various commercial or other loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.

 

Prohibited Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975(c) of the Code.

 

Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

Proposed Borrowing Base” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(c)(i).

 

Proposed Borrowing Base Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(c)(ii).

 

Proved Reserves” means oil and gas reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”, (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves” or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

 

PTE means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

PV-9” means, on any date of determination, with respect to any Proved Reserves expected to be produced from any Borrowing Base Properties, the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Borrower’s and the other Loan Parties’ collective interests in such Proved Reserves during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves, calculated in accordance with the most recent bank price deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.

 

Qualified ECP Counterparty” means in respect of any Swap Agreement, a Guarantor that (a) has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time any guaranty of obligations under such Swap Agreement or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective or (b) otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Quotation Day” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Redemption” means with respect to any Indebtedness, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of such Indebtedness. “Redeem” has the correlative meaning thereto.

 

Redetermination Date” means, with respect to any Scheduled Redetermination or any Interim Redetermination, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.07(d).

 

Reference Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “EBITDAX”.

 

Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

 

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(b)(iv).

 

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

 

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.

 

Release” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.

 

Remedial Work” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10(a).

 

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice has been waived in regulations issued by the PBGC.

 

Required Hedges” means Swap Agreements entered into by the Borrower or Parent at prices reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (a) in respect of crude oil, on not less than 50% of the projected production from the Proved Reserves classified as “Developed Producing Reserves” attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties as reflected in the Initial Reserve Report, for the period from June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2021, and (b) in respect of natural gas, on not less than 50% of the projected production from the Proved Reserves classified as “Developed Producing Reserves” attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties as reflected in the Initial Reserve Report, for the period from June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2021.

 

Required Lenders” means (a) if there are fewer than three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, all Lenders, (b) if there are three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, two (2) unaffiliated Lenders and (c) if there are more than three (3) unaffiliated Lenders, (i) at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders having at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and (ii) at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans and 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 each report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of the dates set forth in Section 8.12(a) (or such other date in the event of an Interim Redetermination or in the case of reports delivered prior to the Closing Date) the oil and gas reserves attributable to the proved Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the economic and pricing assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at the time.

 

Reserve Report Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.12(c) and is to be substantially in the form of Exhibit I.

 

Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, the president, any Financial Officer or any vice president of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution or return of capital (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in any Person, 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.

 

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 LC Exposure at such time.

 

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.

 

Sanctioned Country” shall mean, at any time, a country, region or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions.

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State.

 

Scheduled Redetermination” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).

 

Scheduled Redetermination Date” means the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.07(d).

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.

 

Second Lien Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Lien Debt” has the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Lien Debt Issuance Date” means the date that the Purchaser (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) purchases the Notes (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) and the other transactions contemplated by the Note Purchase Agreement are consummated in accordance with their terms.

 

Second Lien Documents” means the Note Purchase Agreement, the Second Lien Indenture, the 2021 Notes, the Second Lien Security Documents (as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing the Second Lien Obligations or any Second Lien Substitute Facility (as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), as each document may be amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time after the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Lien Documents Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(q).

 

Second Lien Indenture” means the Indenture, to be dated as of the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, among the Parent, the grantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Trust, National Association in its capacity as trustee and collateral agent thereunder, substantially in the form attached to the Second Lien Documents Certificate, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time after the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement unless restricted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, and any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Second Lien Substitute Facility (as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

Second Lien Obligations” has the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Cash Management Bank” means any Person that either (a) on the Closing Date or (b) on any date of determination after the Closing Date, in each case, is a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender that is a counterparty to a Cash Management Agreement with the Borrower or any other Loan Party.

 

Secured Cash Management Obligations” means all obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising from time to time under any Cash Management Agreement with a Secured Cash Management Bank; provided that if such Secured Cash Management Bank ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, such obligations owed to such Secured Cash Management Bank shall no longer be Secured Cash Management Obligations.

 

Secured Obligations” means any and all amounts owing or to be owing by any Loan Party (a) to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person under any Loan Document, (b) to any Secured Swap Provider under a Secured Swap Agreement or (c) to any Secured Cash Management Bank in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, and all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the foregoing, in each case, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and LC Disbursements and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding); provided that solely with respect to any Loan Party that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party shall in any event be excluded from “Secured Obligations” owing by such Loan Party.

 

Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Lenders, each Secured Cash Management Bank, each Secured Swap Provider and any other Person owed Secured Obligations, and “Secured Party” means any of them individually.

 

Secured Swap Agreement” means a Swap Agreement between (a) any Loan Party and (b) a Secured Swap Provider.

 

Secured Swap Provider” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, (a) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender who is the counterparty to any such Swap Agreement (regardless of whether such Swap Agreement was entered into prior to the time it (or its Affiliate) became a Lender or while it (or its Affiliate) was a Lender) with a Loan Party and (b) any Person who was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time when such Person entered into any such Swap Agreement who is a counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party; provided that any such Secured Swap Provider that ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender shall continue to be a “Secured Swap Provider” for purposes of this Agreement to the extent that such Secured Swap Provider entered into a Secured Swap Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof or at the time such Secured Swap Provider was a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) hereunder and such Secured Swap Agreement remains in effect and there are remaining obligations under such Secured Swap Agreement (but excluding any transactions, confirms, or trades entered into after such Person ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Securities Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

 

Security Instruments” means (a) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (b) the Mortgages, (c) any Control Agreement, (d) the other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit F and (e) any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties or any other Affiliate thereof, in each case as security for the payment or performance of the Secured Obligations, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Senior Unsecured Notes” means unsecured notes issued by any Loan Party; provided that, the agreements and instruments governing such Indebtedness shall not contain (a) any affirmative or negative covenant (including financial covenants) that is materially more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that the inclusion of any covenant that is customary with respect to such type of Indebtedness and that is not found in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this clause (a), (b) a prohibition on the ability of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent or the Borrower to guarantee the Secured Obligations (as such Secured Obligations may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time), (c) a prohibition on the ability of Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Parent or the Borrower to pledge Property as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (as such Secured Obligations may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time), (d) a scheduled maturity date that is earlier than 180 days after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of issuance of such Senior Unsecured Notes), (e) any amortization or other mandatory principal payments by way of a sinking fund or similar arrangement other than at the scheduled maturity thereof (except for any offer to redeem such Indebtedness required as a result of asset sales or the occurrence of a “Change in Control” under and as defined in any indenture, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness (or substantially similar term used therein)), or (f) any Lien securing such Indebtedness.

 

Solvency Certificate” means a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto.

 

Specified Time” means 11:00 A.M., London time.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal) not to exceed the number one, 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 basis, marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) established by any Governmental Authority of the Board or any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction 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.

 

Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which Equity Interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise Controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary or Subsidiaries 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; 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 any Loan Party shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined by the counterparties to such Swap Agreements.

 

Syndication Agent” means the syndication agent identified on the cover page of this Agreement.

 

Taxes” means any and 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 Commitments in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Transactions” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, 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, the Borrower’s grant of the security interests and provision of Collateral under the Security Instruments and Borrower’s grant of Liens on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments and (b) each Loan Party, the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Secured Obligations and the other obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement by such Loan Party and (c) each Loan Party, such Loan Party’s grant of the security interests and provision of Collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Loan Party on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.

 

Transferee” means any Assignee or Participant.

 

Type” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral.

 

Unwind” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, the early termination, unwind, cancelation or other Disposition of any such Swap Agreement. “Unwound” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.

 

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.03(g)(ii)(B)(3).

 

Wholly-Owned” means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Borrower, the other Guarantors and/or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Section 1.03     Types of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings, respectively, may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan” or a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

 

 

Section 1.04     Terms Generally; Rules of Construction. 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”, and the word “or” is not exclusive. 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, restated or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (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), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) 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 the word “through” means “through 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. The use of the phrase “subject to” as used in connection with Excepted Liens or otherwise and the permitted existence of any Excepted Liens or any other Liens shall not be interpreted to expressly or impliedly subordinate any Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as there is no intention to subordinate the Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties. 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 1.05     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 initial financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(a), except for Accounting Changes (as defined below) with which the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to the Administrative Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(a). In the event that any Accounting Change shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.

 

Section 1.06     Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

Section 1.07     Timing of Payment or Performance. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in the definition of Interest Period) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

Section 1.08     Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

 

 

ARTICLE II     
THE CREDITS

 

Section 2.01     Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Loans to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments. 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 Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b)     Types of Loans. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, 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 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 $100,000 and not less than $500,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.09(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 convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

 

(d)     Notes. If a Lender shall make a written request to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to have its Loans evidenced by a Note, then, for each such Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver a single Note of the Borrower 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 such Lender or its registered assigns in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount as in effect on such date, and otherwise duly completed. Upon request from a Lender, in the event that any such Lender’s Maximum Credit 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 such Lender or its registered assigns in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount after giving effect to such increase or decrease, and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, Type, interest rate and, if applicable, Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, may be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be recorded by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender; provided that the 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 in writing (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M. three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M. on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that no such notice shall be required for any deemed request of an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.09(e). Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and delivered by hand delivery, fax or other electronic communication to the Administrative Agent in substantially the form of Exhibit B and signed by the Borrower. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)     the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(ii)     the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)     whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(iv)     in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

(v)     the amount of the then effective Borrowing Base, the current total Revolving Credit Exposures (without regard to the requested Borrowing) and the pro forma total Revolving Credit Exposures (giving effect to the requested Borrowing); and

 

(vi)     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.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration. Each Borrowing Request shall constitute a representation that the amount of the requested Borrowing shall not cause the total Revolving Credit Exposures to exceed the total Commitments (i.e., the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and the then effective Borrowing Base).

 

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)     Conversion and Continuance. Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request unless otherwise precluded by the terms hereof and, if a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, 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 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, fax or other electronic communication to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request 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 thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(iii) and Section 2.04(c)(iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)     the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)     whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

 

(iv)     if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) 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 Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if (i) a Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing, no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period longer than one (1) month (and any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be deemed to request an Interest Period of one (1) month) and (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing (and any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective) and, unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

Section 2.05     Funding of Borrowings.

 

(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 1:00 P.M. 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 a Controlled Account (except for in the case of any Borrowing prior to the date that is sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, which can be credited to any account of a Loan Party), in each case, designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.09(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank. 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 1:00 P.M. on the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.05(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 2.06     Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.

 

(a)     Scheduled Termination of Commitments. Unless previously terminated in accordance with this Agreement, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date. If at any time the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts are terminated or reduced to zero, then the Commitments shall terminate on the effective date of such termination or reduction.

 

(b)     Optional Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.

 

(i)     The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (B) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.04(c), the total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.

 

(ii)     The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts under Section 2.06(b)(i) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing, 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; provided that, any such notice of termination of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of any event specified therein (including effectiveness of other credit or debt facilities or the consummation of a Material Acquisition or Material Disposition), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied (it being understood that the failure of such condition to be satisfied shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligations under Section 5.02). Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be permanent and may not be reinstated. Each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage.

 

Section 2.07     Borrowing Base.

 

(a)     Initial Borrowing Base. For the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $115,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.

 

(b)     Scheduled and Interim Redeterminations. The Borrowing Base shall be redetermined on or about June 1, 2019 (the “Initial Scheduled Redetermination”) and thereafter semi-annually on or about March 1st, and September 1st, of each year in accordance with this Section 2.07 (each such redetermination, a “Scheduled Redetermination”), and, subject to Section 2.07(d), such redetermined Borrowing Base shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders on or about June 1, 2019 and thereafter each, March 1st, and September 1st, of each year, commencing on or about September 1, 2019 following the Initial Scheduled Redetermination. The Borrower may, by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, one time between any Scheduled Redetermination, elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined in accordance with this Section 2.07. Further, the Administrative Agent may, or at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, by notifying the Borrower thereof, one time between any Scheduled Redeterminations, elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined (collectively with the Borrower’s right set forth in the previous sentence, an “Interim Redetermination”) in accordance with this Section 2.07.

 

(c)     Scheduled and Interim Redetermination Procedure.

 

(i)     Each Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows: upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the Reserve Report for such redetermination and the related Reserve Report Certificate and (B) such other reports, data and supplemental information, including the information provided pursuant to Section 8.12(c), as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (the Reserve Report, such Reserve Report Certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “Engineering Reports”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall, in its sole discretion, propose a new Borrowing Base (the “Proposed Borrowing Base”) based upon such information and such other information (including the status of title information with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any other Indebtedness, the Loan Parties’ other assets, liabilities, fixed charges, cash flow, business, properties, prospects, management and ownership, hedged and unhedged exposure to price, price and production scenarios, interest rate and operating cost changes) as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate in its sole discretion and consistent with its oil and gas lending criteria as it exists at the particular time. In no event shall the Proposed Borrowing Base exceed the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.

 

(ii)     The Administrative Agent shall thereafter notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Proposed Borrowing Base (the “Proposed Borrowing Base Notice”):

 

(A)     in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and Section 8.12(c) in a timely and complete manner, then before or on or about May 20, 2019 and thereafter February 15th or August 15th, as the case may be, of such year following the date of delivery or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and Section 8.12(c) in a timely and complete manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.07(c)(i); and

 

(B)     in the case of an Interim Redetermination, promptly, and in any event within fifteen (15) days, after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports (or such later date to which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree).

 

(iii)     Subject to Section 2.10(b) and Section 12.02(b)(ii) with respect to any Defaulting Lender, any Proposed Borrowing Base that would (A) increase the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved by all Lenders as provided in this Section 2.07(c)(iii) and (B) decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved by the Required Lenders as provided in this Section 2.07(c)(iii). Such decisions will be made by each Lender based upon such criteria (including, without limitation, the status of title information with respect to the proved Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any other Indebtedness, the Loan Parties’ other assets, liabilities, fixed charges, cash flow, business, properties, prospects, management and ownership, hedged and unhedged exposure to price, price and production scenarios, interest rate and operating cost changes) as such Lender deems appropriate in its sole discretion and consistent with its oil and gas lending criteria as it exists at the particular time. Upon receipt of the Proposed Borrowing Base Notice, each Lender shall have fifteen (15) days to agree with the Proposed Borrowing Base or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base by proposing an alternate Borrowing Base. If, at the end of such 15-day period, any Lender has not communicated its approval or disapproval in writing to the Administrative Agent in connection with any Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, such silence shall be deemed to be an approval of such maintained or decreased Proposed Borrowing Base, as applicable. If, at the end of such 15-day period, all of the Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, or the Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, have approved, or are deemed to approve in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, as aforesaid, then the Proposed Borrowing Base shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section 2.07(d). If, however, at the end of such 15-day period, all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, have not approved, or have been deemed to approve in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, as aforesaid, then the Administrative Agent shall poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute the Required Lenders and, so long as such amount does not increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section 2.07(d) (provided that, if the Administrative Agent shall have polled the Lenders and ascertained that the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to all of the Lenders increases the Borrowing Base then in effect, such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in Section 2.07(d)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely in the case of the June 1, 2019 Scheduled Redetermination, each Lender shall have ten (10) days to agree or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base.

 

(d)     Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base. After a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved by all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders (subject to Section 2.10(b) and Section 12.02(b)(ii) with respect to any Defaulting Lender), as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.07(c)(iii), the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders (the “New Borrowing Base Notice”) of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders:

 

(i)     in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and Section 8.12(c) in a timely and complete manner, then on or about June 1, 2019 or March 1st or September 1st of each year, as applicable, following such notice (or as soon as possible thereafter, pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.07(c)(iii)), or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and Section 8.12(c) in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice; and

 

(ii)     in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice.

 

 

Section 2.08     Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.

 

(a)     Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Asset Dispositions and/or Unwind of Swap Positions.

 

(i)     If the Borrower or one of the other Guarantors Disposes of Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) or any Equity Interests in any Person owning Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party), or Unwinds Swap Agreements and (A) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value attributable to all Disposed Oil and Gas Properties (or the Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Guarantor whose Equity Interests were sold) plus (B) the aggregate Borrowing Base Value attributable to all Unwound Swap Agreements, in each case since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(a) is in excess of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the Borrowing Base then in effect (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent), in the aggregate, then the Borrowing Base will be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value of such Oil and Gas Properties (or such Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Subsidiary whose Equity Interests were sold) or such Unwound Swap Agreement and the Administrative Agent shall promptly inform the Borrower of the amount of the adjusted Borrowing Base; provided that, for purposes of the foregoing reduction, (A) a commodity Swap Agreement shall be deemed to have not been Unwound if, upon its Unwinding, it is replaced, in a substantially contemporaneous transaction, with one or more commodity Swap Agreements with the same or longer tenor, covering volumes not less than and for prices not less than those Swap Agreements being replaced and without cash payments to any Loan Party in connection therewith, and (B) an Oil and Gas Property shall be deemed to have not been Disposed if upon its Disposition, it is replaced, in a substantially contemporaneous transaction, with Oil and Gas Properties with approximately the same PV-9 value as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower has, contemporaneously with such Disposition, delivered a certificate of a Responsible Officer containing information evidencing the PV-9 value of the replacement Oil and Gas Properties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, that, this clause (B) shall only apply to the extent that the Oil and Gas Properties Disposed in exchange for other Oil and Gas Properties since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(a), does not exceed 7.5% the Borrowing Base Value of all Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base of the Loan Parties (as determined by the Administrative Agent). For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the Disposition of the Equity Interests of any Person owning such Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) and/or Swap Agreements shall be deemed to be the Disposition of the Oil and Gas Properties and the Unwinding of the commodity Swap Agreements owned by such Loan Party.

 

(ii)     If the Borrower or one of the other Guarantors Disposes of Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) or any Equity Interests in any Person owning Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) and the aggregate Borrowing Base Value attributable to all Disposed Oil and Gas Properties (or the Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Guarantor whose Equity Interests were sold) since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(a) is in excess of five percent (5.0%) of the Borrowing Base then in effect (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent), individually or in the aggregate, then the Borrowing Base will be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value of such Oil and Gas Properties (or such Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Subsidiary whose Equity Interests were sold) and the Administrative Agent shall promptly inform the Borrower of the amount of the adjusted Borrowing Base; provided that, for purposes of the foregoing reduction, an Oil and Gas Property shall be deemed to have not been Disposed if upon its Disposition, it is replaced, in a substantially contemporaneous transaction, with Oil and Gas Properties with approximately the same PV-9 value as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower has, contemporaneously with such Disposition, delivered a certificate of a Responsible Officer containing information evidencing the PV-9 value of the replacement Oil and Gas Properties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, that, this proviso shall only apply to the extent that the Oil and Gas Properties Disposed in exchange for other Oil and Gas Properties since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(a), does not exceed 7.5% the Borrowing Base Value of all Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base of the Loan Parties (as determined by the Administrative Agent). For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the Disposition of the Equity Interests of any Person owning such Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) shall be deemed to be the Disposition of the Oil and Gas Properties owned by such Loan Party.

 

(iii)     If the Borrower or one of the other Guarantors Unwinds Swap Agreements and (the aggregate Borrowing Base Value attributable to all Unwound Swap Agreements since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(a) is in excess of five percent (5.0%) of the Borrowing Base then in effect (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent), individually or in the aggregate, then the Borrowing Base will be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the Borrowing Base Value of such Unwound Swap Agreement and the Administrative Agent shall promptly inform the Borrower of the amount of the adjusted Borrowing Base; provided that, for purposes of the foregoing reduction, a commodity Swap Agreement shall be deemed to have not been Unwound if, upon its Unwinding, it is replaced, in a substantially contemporaneous transaction, with one or more commodity Swap Agreements with the same or longer tenor, covering volumes not less than and for prices not less than those Swap Agreements being replaced and without cash payments to any Loan Party in connection therewith. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the Disposition of the Equity Interests of any Person owning Swap Agreements shall be deemed to be the Disposition of the commodity Swap Agreements owned by such Loan Party.

 

(b)     Reduction of Borrowing Base Related to Title. If the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders have adjusted the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 8.13(c), so that, after giving effect to such reduction, the Borrower will satisfy the requirements of Section 8.13(c), the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing and, upon receipt of such notice, the new Borrowing Base will simultaneously become effective.

 

(c)     Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Incurrence of Indebtedness. Upon the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.02(b)(i) (other than any such Indebtedness constituting permitted Refinance Indebtedness under Section 9.02(c)), and only to the extent the Borrower or Guarantor received cash proceeds from any such Indebtedness, the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of 0.25 multiplied by the stated principal amount of such Indebtedness (without regard to any original issue discount), and the Borrowing Base as so reduced shall become the new Borrowing Base immediately upon the date of such issuance or incurrence, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders on such date until the next redetermination or modification thereof hereunder.

 

Section 2.09     Letters of Credit.

 

(a)     General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of dollar denominated Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of any other Loan Party, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the period from the Closing Date until the day which is five (5) Business Days prior to the end of the Availability Period; provided that, in addition to the conditions set forth in Section 6.02, the Borrower may not request the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit hereunder if (x) the LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender would exceed the Commitment of such Lender or (z) a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time or would result therefrom (collectively, the “LC Availability Requirements”). 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, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Governmental Requirement. The Borrower shall not request, and the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue, any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Countries, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement.

 

(b)     Notice 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 hand deliver or fax (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (not less than three (3) Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice:

 

(i)     requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit or identifying the Letter of Credit 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 2.09(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 total 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 total 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, the LC Availability Requirements will be satisfied on the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension.

 

If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit; provided that, in the event of any conflict between such application and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

(c)     Dollar Denominated; Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in dollars and (ii) expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five (5) 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 applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.09(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 2.09(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 Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

(e)     Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement and any Other Taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with such payment by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 Noon, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 A.M., 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 12:00 Noon, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that, unless the Borrower has notified the relevant Issuing Bank and Administrative Agent that it will, and does, reimburse such LC Disbursement by the required date and time, the Borrower shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to Borrowing set forth in Section 6.02, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrower does hereby request under such circumstances, that such payment be financed with an ABR Borrowing 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 Borrowing. Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing Bank at its address for notices referred to herein in dollars and in immediately available funds. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC 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 applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.09(e), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.09(e) to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this Section 2.09(e) to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC 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 LC Disbursement.

 

(f)     Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.09(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 any other Loan Document, 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 Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or 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 2.09(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 Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank 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 applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank 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 Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

(g)     Disbursement Procedures. An Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. An Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by fax or other electronic transmission) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(h)     Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, until the Borrower shall have reimbursed such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement (either with its own funds or a Borrowing under Section 2.09(e)), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.09(h) shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.09(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)     Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.05(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall also be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank which is reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with this Section 2.09(i).

 

(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 Majority Lenders demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.09(j), (ii) the LC Exposure exceeds the LC Commitment at any time as a result of a reduction in the Borrowing Base, (iii) the Borrower is required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to an LC Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to Section 3.04(c) or (iv) the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize a Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to Section 2.10, 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, an amount in cash equal to 105% of (A) in the case of an Event of Default, the LC Exposure (net of any Cash Collateral already held at the applicable time by the Administrative Agent with respect to such LC Exposure) and (B) in the case of the LC Exposure exceeding the LC Commitment, the amount of such excess, and (C) in the case of a payment required by Section 3.04(c), the amount of such excess as provided in Section 3.04(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 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 other Guarantor described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i). The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank(s) 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 2.09(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 applicable law, 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 Issuing Bank(s), 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 the 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. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank(s) for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC 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 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 an LC Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to Section 3.04(c), then such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

Section 2.10     Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)     Commitment Fees. Commitment fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.05(a).

 

(b)     Waivers and Amendments. The Maximum Credit Amount and the principal amount of the Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Lenders (if any) shall not be included in determining whether the Majority Lenders or Required Lenders, as applicable, have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 12.02); provided that, without prejudice to the terms of Section 12.02, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of each Lender or each Lender adversely affected thereby.

 

(c)     LC Exposure. If any LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)     all or any part of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentage (disregarding such Defaulting Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount) but only to the extent the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposure plus such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;

 

(ii)     if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Bank only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.09(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)     if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.05(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is Cash Collateralized;

 

(iv)     if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.05(a) and Section 3.05(b) shall be adjusted to reflect such reallocations; and

 

(v)     if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor Cash Collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.05(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or Cash Collateralized; and

 

(d)     Letters of Credit. So long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or Cash Collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.10(c), and participating interests in any newly issued, extended, renewed or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.10(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

(e)     New Letters of Credit. If (a) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to a Lender Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (b) the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Issuing Bank shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Issuing Bank to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

 

(f)     Defaulting Lender Waterfall. 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) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.09(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 Issuing Bank’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.09(j); sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuing Bank 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 repayment of any Letter of Credit obligations 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 obligations 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 obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit obligations are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.10(c)(i). 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 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(g)     Defaulting Lender Cure. In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

 

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 Termination Date.

 

Section 3.02     Interest.

 

(a)     ABR Loans. The Loans comprising each 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. The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

(c)     Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.01(a) or Section 10.01(b) has occurred and is continuing, then such overdue amounts outstanding, shall, as of the date of such failure to pay the relevant amount when due or such later date determined by the Required Lenders, bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in Section 3.02(a) or the Adjusted LIBO Rate as provided in Section 3.02(b), but, in each case, in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, (ii) if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, then all Loans and other amounts outstanding or any other fee or other amount payable by any Guarantor, shall, as of the date of such failure to pay the relevant amount when due or such later date determined by the Required Lenders, bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in Section 3.02(a), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate and (iii) if an Event of Default (other than those specified in Section 3.02(c)(i) and (ii)) has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders so elect, then all outstanding Loans or any other fee or other amount payable by any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and including any payments in respect of a Borrowing Base Deficiency under Section 3.04, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in Section 3.02(a), 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 each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and on the Termination Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) 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, and (iii) 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.

 

(e)     Interest Rate Computations. All interest 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 at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), 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, Adjusted LIBO 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.

 

Section 3.03     Alternate Rate of Interest.

 

(a)     If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

 

(i)     the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means (including, without limitation, by means of an Interpolated Rate) do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable (including, without limitation, because the LIBO Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period; or

 

(ii)     the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable, determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, fax or other electronic transmission as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective (and such Borrowing shall be automatically converted into ABR Loans on the last day of the applicable Interest Period), (B) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

 

(b)     If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Screen Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBO Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (but for the avoidance of doubt, such related changes shall not include a reduction of the Applicable Margin). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 12.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within ten Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that the Majority Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (b) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 3.03(b), only to the extent the LIBO Screen Rate for such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.04     Prepayments.

 

(a)     Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay, without premium or penalty (except with respect to any amounts due under Section 5.02), any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.04(b).

 

(b)     Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by fax or other electronic transmission) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M. three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M. one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment (or, in each case, such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree). Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.06(b), then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.06(b). 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 and any amounts due under Section 5.02.

 

(c)     Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i)     Upon Optional Termination and Reduction. If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(b), the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeds the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders, then the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Borrowings on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of such excess, and (B) if any excess remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of any LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such remaining excess to be held as Cash Collateral as provided in Section 2.09(j).

 

(ii)     Upon Redeterminations and Title Related Borrowing Base Adjustment. If there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency (x) on any Redetermination Date as a result of any redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.07 or (y) as a result of a Borrowing Base adjustment pursuant to Section 2.08(b), then upon such Redetermination Date or the occurrence of such Borrowing Base adjustment (such date, the “Deficiency Date”), the Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days of the Deficiency Date, inform the Administrative Agent that it intends to do one or more of the following (provided that, if the Borrower fails to elect any of the following actions within such ten (10) Business Day period, it shall be deemed to have elected option (A) hereof):

 

(A)     within thirty (30) days after the Deficiency Date prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency,

 

(B)     promptly notify the Administrative Agent that it shall pay off such Borrowing Base Deficiency in six (6) equal installments and then, commencing on the 30th day after the Deficiency Date and continuing on the same day of each month for the next five (5) months thereafter (for a total of six (6) payment dates), prepay the Borrowings in an amount equal to one-sixth (1/6th) of such Borrowing Base Deficiency (as such Borrowing Base Deficiency may be further increased or reduced during such six (6) month period as a result of a Borrowing Base redetermination or other adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions) so that the Borrowing Base Deficiency (as such Borrowing Base Deficiency may be further increased or reduced during such six (6) month period as a result of a Borrowing Base redetermination or other adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions) is reduced to zero within 180 days of the Deficiency Date, or

 

(C)     within thirty (30) days after the Deficiency Date, submit and pledge as Collateral additional Oil and Gas Properties not evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or other collateral reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent owned by the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties for consideration in connection with the determination of the Borrowing Base which the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders deem satisfactory, in their sole discretion, to eliminate such Borrowing Base Deficiency;

 

provided that, notwithstanding the options set forth above, in all cases, the Borrowing Base Deficiency must be eliminated on or prior to the Termination Date. If, because of LC Exposure, a Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans in accordance with this Section 3.04(c)(ii), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency as provided in Section 2.09(j).

 

(iii)     Upon Certain Adjustments. If there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency as a result of Borrowing Base adjustment pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions (other than Section 2.08(b) or Section 2.08(c)), then on the next Business Day after the occurrence of such Borrowing Base adjustment the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency and (B) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of an LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as cash collateral as provided in Section 2.09(j).

 

(iv)     Upon Occurrence and Continuation of a Borrowing Base Deficiency. In addition to the foregoing mandatory prepayments set forth in this Section 3.04(c), at any time that a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, the Borrower shall to the extent necessary to cure such Borrowing Base Deficiency:

 

(A)     upon any Disposition (excluding a Casualty Event which shall be governed by clause (C) below) by any Loan Party of any of its Property or any Unwind of a Swap Agreement by any Loan Party, in each case other than as permitted by Section 9.11, prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Unwind; provided that if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds of such sale, termination or other monetization shall be applied to repay the Secured Obligations in accordance with the priority set forth in Section 10.02(c). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this paragraph is intended to permit any Loan Party to sell Property other than pursuant to Section 9.11, and any such non-permitted sale will constitute a breach of this Agreement;

 

(B)     upon the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by any Loan Party (other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.02), the Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received in respect of such Indebtedness; provided that if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received in respect of such Indebtedness shall be applied to repay the Secured Obligations in accordance with the priority set forth in Section 10.02(c). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this paragraph is intended to permit any Loan Party to incur Indebtedness other than as permitted under Section 9.02, and any such incurrence of Indebtedness shall be a violation of Section 9.02 and a breach of this Agreement; and

 

(C)     upon any Casualty Event, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Proceeds; provided, that if the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the effect that the Loan Parties intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such Casualty Event (or a portion thereof as specified in such certificate), within 180 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to purchase assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties, then, so long as no Event of Default then exists, no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate; provided further, that to the extent any such Net Proceeds have not been so applied by the end of such 180 day period, a prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied; provided further that if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Proceeds received shall be applied to repay the Secured Obligations in accordance with the priority set forth in Section 10.02(c);

 

provided that, if the Borrower has elected to cure such Borrowing Base Deficiency by paying installments in accordance with Section 3.04(c)(ii)(B), any prepayment made pursuant to this Section 3.04(c)(iv) shall be credited towards the remaining installments in the order such installments become due until such Borrowing Base Deficiency has been cured.

 

(v)     Application of Prepayments to Types of Borrowings. Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be applied, first, ratably to any ABR Borrowings then outstanding, and, second, ratably to any Eurodollar Borrowings then outstanding, and if more than one Eurodollar Borrowing is then outstanding, to each such Eurodollar Borrowing in order of priority beginning with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the least number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto and ending with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the most number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

(vi)     Interest to be Paid with Prepayments. Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowings. Prepayments pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

 

(d)     Special Prepayment Provisions while Second Lien Debt is Outstanding. From and after the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date and until the Intercreditor Agreement has been terminated and no Second Lien Debt remains outstanding:

 

(i)     To the extent the Asset Coverage Ratio is then in effect under the Second Lien Documents, in the event that on any Test Date Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries are not in compliance with the Asset Coverage Ratio, Parent and the Borrower will not be in breach of Section 9.01(c) if Parent and the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of their election to, and they shall on or before (a) with respect to any Test Date referred to in clause (A) of the definition of Test Date, the 45th day immediately following such Test Date; or (b) with respect to any Test Date referred to in clause (B) of the definition of Test Date, the date of such Material Acquisition (as such term is defined in the Second Lien Indenture) or Material Disposition (as such term is defined in the Second Lien Indenture), as applicable, prepay the Borrowings under this Agreement in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount required to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the Asset Coverage Ratio.

 

(ii)     Without duplication of any other prepayments required hereunder, within one (1) Business Day of the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Property permitted pursuant to Section 9.11(e), (h) or (j), the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such disposition (net of customary and reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such disposition including, but not limited to, (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such disposition and (3) any Debt or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such disposition)

 

(iii)     Without duplication of any other prepayments required hereunder, within one (1) Business Day of any assignment, termination or unwinding of any Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 9.11, the Borrower shall prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such assignment, termination or unwinding (net of customary and reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such assignment, termination or unwinding, including, but not limited to, (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such assignment, termination or unwinding and (3) any Debt or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such assignment, termination or unwinding).

 

(iv)     Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(d) shall be applied as provided in Section 3.04(c)(v) and (vi).

 

(v)     Each term used in this Section 3.04(d) but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date.

 

(e)     Special Prepayment Provision for Second Lien Debt Issuance Date. On the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received in respect of Second Lien Debt incurred on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date. The prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(e) shall be applied as provided in Section 3.04(c)(v) and (vi).

 

(f)     No Premium or Penalty. Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 3.04 shall be without premium or penalty, except as required under Section 5.02.

 

Section 3.05     Fees.

 

(a)     Commitment Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender (determined taking into account both Loans and LC Exposure) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the Termination Date. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the 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 interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) (or in such other manner as the Administrative Agent shall provide so that such computation shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate), 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. 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 LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC 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 LC Exposure, (ii) to each applicable Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate equal to the greater of (A) $750 and (B) 0.175% per annum (or such other rate as may be agreed to with such Issuing Bank) on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure; provided that in no event shall such fee be less than $750.00 during any quarter unless no LC Exposure existed at any time during such quarter and (iii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, its standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on such last Business Day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date of this Agreement; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the Termination Date and any such fees accruing after the Termination Date shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 3.05(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 interest 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 separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)     Borrowing Base Increase Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender then party to this Agreement, ratably in accordance with its Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base Increase Amount (as defined below), a Borrowing Base increase fee to be agreed by the Lenders and the Borrower on the amount of any increase of the Borrowing Base over the highest Borrowing Base previously in effect (such amount, the “Borrowing Base Increase Amount”), payable on the effective date of any such increase to the Borrowing Base.

 

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 LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 or otherwise) prior to 11:00 A.M., on the date when due, 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, absent manifest error. 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 the applicable Issuing Bank 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. 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 LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

(c)     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 LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and 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 LC 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 LC 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 LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate 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 applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

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 applicable Issuing Bank 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 the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Section 4.03     Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(a), Section 2.09(d), Section 2.09(e) or Section 4.02 then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid. If at any time prior to the acceleration or maturity of the Loans, the Administrative Agent shall receive any payment in respect of principal of a Loan or a reimbursement of an LC Disbursement while one or more Defaulting Lenders shall be party to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall apply such payment first to the Borrowing(s) for which such Defaulting Lender(s) shall have failed to fund its pro rata share until such time as such Borrowing(s) are paid in full or each Lender (including each Defaulting Lender) is owed its Applicable Percentage of all Loans then outstanding. After acceleration or maturity of the Loans, all principal will be paid ratably as provided in Section 10.02(c).

 

Section 4.04     Disposition of Proceeds. The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which 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 Secured Obligations and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, for so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (a) 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 Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to and retained by the Borrower or any other Loan Party and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Loan Parties.

 

ARTICLE V     
INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES

 

Section 5.01     Increased Costs.

 

(a)     Changes in Law. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)     subject any Credit Party to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

(ii)     impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit (or participations therein) by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender or any Issuing Bank that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted LIBO Rate; or

 

(iii)     impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (in each case, other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Credit Party of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or other Credit Party of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such other Credit Party (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such other Credit Party such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such other Credit Party for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)     Capital and Liquidity Requirements. If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)     Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), including in reasonable detail a description of the basis for such claim for compensation and a calculation of such amount or amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)     Effect of Failure or Delay in Requesting Compensation. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 5.01 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

Section 5.02     Break Funding Payments. The Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to any of the following (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, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.05. 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 Adjusted 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, including in reasonable detail a calculation of such amount or amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

Section 5.03     Taxes.

 

(a)     Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 5.03, Section 5.04 and Section 5.05, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

(b)     Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03), the applicable Credit Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

(c)     Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(d)     Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Credit Party, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03) payable or paid by such Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Credit Party and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 5.03(d), a Loan Party shall not be required to indemnify any Credit Party pursuant to this Section 5.03(d) for any Indemnified Taxes unless such Credit Party makes demand on such Loan Party for indemnification no later than nine (9) months after the earlier of (i) the date on which the relevant Governmental Authority makes written demand upon such Credit Party for payment of such Indemnified Taxes, and (ii) the date on which such Credit Party has made payment of such Indemnified Taxes (except that, if the Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted giving rise to such claims are retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)     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 any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) and (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, in either 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 paragraph (e).

 

(f)     Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 5.03, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(g)     Status of Lenders.

 

(i)     Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 5.03(g)(ii)(A), Section 5.03(g)(ii)(B) and Section 5.03(g)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

 

(A)     any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)     any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1)     in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(2)     executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(3)     in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN; or

 

(4)     to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Non-U.S. Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Non-U.S. Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)     any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)     if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower 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, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(h)     Administrative Agent. On or before the date on which SunTrust Bank (and any successor or replacement Administrative Agent) becomes the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to the Borrower two duly executed originals of either (i) IRS Form W-9, or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to any payments to be received on its own behalf and IRS Form W-8IMY (certifying that it is either a “qualified intermediary” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(e)(5) that has assumed primary withholding obligations under the Code, including Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code, or a “U.S. branch” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) that is treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding obligations under the Code) for the amounts the Administrative Agent receives for the account of others.  The Administrative Agent (or, upon assignment or replacement, any assignee or successor) agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower in writing of its inability do so.

 

(i)     Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.03 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.03), 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 with respect to such refund) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (i) (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 (i), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (i) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

(j)     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 the Loan Documents.

 

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 Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts 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 (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The 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     Replacement of Lenders. . If (a) any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01, (b) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, (c) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (d) any Lender’s obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans is suspended pursuant to Section 5.06, or (e) any Lender fails to consent to a Borrowing Base redetermination, an election, consent, approval, amendment, waiver or other modification to this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of all Lenders or of all Lenders directly affected thereby, and such Borrowing Base redetermination, election, consent, amendment, waiver or other modification is otherwise consented to by the Required Lenders, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 12.04(b)), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 5.02), from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.01 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.03, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

Section 5.06     Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its applicable lending office to perform its obligations hereunder or 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.

 

ARTICLE VI     
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 6.01     Closing Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02):

 

(a)     Fees. The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, including reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and their Affiliates (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, under any other Loan Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or the Arranger.

 

(b)     Credit Agreement. The Loan Documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and in connection therewith 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.

 

(c)     Loan Documents.

 

(i)     Execution of Security Instruments. 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 described on Exhibit F that have been executed and delivered by a Responsible Officer of each party thereto.

 

(ii)     Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each Security Instrument and any other document (including any UCC financing statement) required by any Security Instrument or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

 

(iii)     Mortgage Coverage. The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that, upon recording the Mortgages in the appropriate filing offices, it shall have a first priority Lien on at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties; provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d), (f), (i), (m) and (n) of the definition thereof (and subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) (the “Excepted Mortgaged Property Liens”) may exist.

 

(iv)     Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received (A) to the extent such Equity Interests are certificated, the certificates representing the shares of Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (B) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.

 

(d)     Secretary’s Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of such Loan Party 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 officers of such Loan Party (A) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and (B) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other applicable Organizational Documents of such Loan Party, certified by a Responsible Officer 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 such Loan Party to the contrary.

 

(e)     Corporate Status; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of each Loan Party in each jurisdiction where any such Loan Party is organized or owns Borrowing Base Properties with a PV-9 in excess of $1,000,000.

 

(f)     Responsible Officer’s Certificate re: Consents, Approvals, Litigation. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying that (i) the Borrower has received all government and third party approvals required by Section 7.03 and (ii) no action, proceeding or litigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, in any court or before any Governmental Authority that involves any Loan Document or that is seeking to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(g)     Insurance Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates or policies of insurance coverage of the Loan Parties and endorsements related thereto, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, insurance certificates, lender’s loss payable and additional insured endorsements) evidencing that the Loan Parties are carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.12.

 

(h)     Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Solvency Certificate, duly executed by a Financial Officer and dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, certifying that Parent and each of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after giving effect to the funding of the initial Loans hereunder and the other Transactions contemplated hereby, are solvent.

 

(i)     Master Assignment Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Master Assignment Agreement duly executed and delivered by JPMorgan Chase, as existing administrative agent, evidencing that all Liens securing obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement will be assigned to the Administrative Agent and executed copies of any other assignment instruments from JPMorgan Chase, as existing administrative agent that are reasonably necessary to evidence of record the assignment of such Liens.

 

(j)     Patriot Act and Beneficial Ownership Certification. The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, (i) all documentation and other information previously requested and required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act and, (ii) if Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to Borrower.

 

(k)     Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of (i) Vinson & Elkins LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties and (ii) local counsel in Louisiana and Mississippi, in each case in form and of substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(l)     Diligence; Title. The Administrative Agent shall have completed and be reasonably satisfied in all respects with environmental reports in the possession of the Borrower and the Guarantors, and such other diligence, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require with respect to the Borrower and the Guarantors. The Administrative Agent shall have received title information setting forth evidence of title on the Borrowing Base Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, representing not less than 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by the Initial Reserve Report.

 

(m)     Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Borrower and the Loan Parties other than those being released on or prior to the Closing Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.03.

 

(n)     No MAE. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying there shall not have occurred since December 31, 2018 any change, development or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, the Borrower, Subsidiaries of the Borrower, or their respective assets, business or financial condition, taken as a whole.

 

(o)     Exiting Lender; Paydown of Existing Loans. The commitments of the Exiting Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be permanently terminated pursuant to the terms hereof and all Existing Loans owed to the Exiting Lender shall have been refinanced in full.

 

(p)     Termination and Payoff of Existing Second Lien Indenture. (i) The Existing 2019 Notes and all other obligations under the Existing Second Lien Indenture and Existing Second Lien Documents shall have been repaid in full (including pursuant to usual and customary satisfaction and discharge procedures) pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof and (ii) any liens or security interests granted pursuant to the Existing Second Lien Indenture shall be terminated pursuant to releases and UCC-3 terminations in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(q)     Note Purchase Agreement and Forms of Second Lien Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate (the “Second Lien Documents Certificate”), duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, certifying that attached thereto are true, correct and complete copies of (i) the duly executed Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) the forms of the 2021 Notes, the Second Lien Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreement that will be entered into on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Note Purchase Agreement has been entered into and is effective.

 

(r)     General. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Closing Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

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 the Issuing Bank(s) 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 or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(b)     The representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty 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, 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, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) as of such specified earlier date.

 

(c)     Each request for any such Borrowing and for the 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 matters specified in Section 6.02(a) through Section 6.02(b).

 

ARTICLE VII     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each of Parent and the Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

Section 7.01     Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority, and has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary 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, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and foreign qualifications (and related good standings) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.02     Authority; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate or equivalent powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or equivalent and, if required, owner action. Each Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, 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 or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person, nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and other than (i) the recording and filing of financing statements and the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement and such Security Instruments and (ii) those third party approvals or consents which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate (i) any applicable law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority in each case in any material respect or (ii) the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material indenture, note, credit agreement or other similar instrument binding upon any Loan Party or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of any Loan Party (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).

 

Section 7.04     Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

 

(a)     The most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of date thereof and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the unaudited quarterly financial statements.

 

(b)     Since December 31, 2018, and after giving effect to the Transactions, there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     Neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party has on the date of this Agreement any material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Capital Stock) or any material contingent liabilities, material off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, or material and unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments other than in respect of the Secured Obligations and the Second Lien Debt.

 

Section 7.05     Litigation.

 

(a)     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 Parent or the Borrower, threatened in writing against any Loan Party that (i) are not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

 

(b)     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 a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.06     Environmental Matters. Except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)     the Loan Parties and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable Environmental Laws;

 

(b)     (i) the Loan Parties hold and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their respective properties; (ii) all such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect; and (iii) no Loan Party has received any notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such Environmental Permit may be revoked, adversely modified, or not renewed, or that any application for any Environmental Permit may be protested or denied or that the anticipated terms thereof may be adversely modified;

 

(c)      (i) there are no actions, claims, demands, suits, investigations or proceedings under any Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials that are pending or, to Parent’s or the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, against any Loan Party or regarding any property with respect to which any Loan Party has any interest or obligation, or as a result of any operations of any Loan Party on any such property; and (ii) there are no consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other administrative, arbitral or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials, directed to any Loan Party or as to which any Loan Party is a party, or regarding any property with respect to which any Loan Party has any interest or obligation;

 

(d)     (i) there has been no Release or, to Parent’s or the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials attributable to the operations of any Loan Party at, on, under or from any Loan Party’s currently or formerly owned, leased or operated property or, to Parent’s or the Borrower’s knowledge, at any other location (including any location to which Hazardous Materials have been sent for re-use, recycling, treatment, storage or disposal) for which any Loan Party could be liable, and (ii) Hazardous Materials are not otherwise present at any such properties or other locations, in each case, in amounts or concentrations or under conditions which constitute a violation of any applicable Environmental Law, could reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability, or, with respect to any Mortgaged Property, could reasonably be expected to impair its fair saleable value;

 

(e)     no Loan Party, nor to Parent’s or the Borrower’s knowledge any other Person for any property with respect to which any Loan Party has any interest or obligation, has received any written notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability or request for information regarding Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials, and, to Parent’s or the Borrower’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of any such notice or request for information;

 

(f)     no Loan Party has assumed or retained any liability under applicable Environmental Laws or regarding Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to result in liability to any Loan Party; and

 

(g)     to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties have provided to Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters (including matters relating to any alleged non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws) that are in any Loan Party’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

 

Section 7.07     Compliance with the Laws; No Default.

 

(a)     Each Loan Party is 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 governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the 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.

 

(b)     No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 7.08     Investment Company Act. No Loan Party 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 Loan Party 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 (a) taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the applicable Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.09, to the knowledge of Parent or the Borrower, no material proposed tax assessment has been asserted with respect to any Loan Party outside the ordinary course of business.

 

Section 7.10     ERISA. Except as could not, whether individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)     each Plan is, and has been, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with, and Parent, the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have complied with, ERISA, the terms of the applicable Plan and, where applicable, the Code;

 

(b)     no act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on Parent, the Borrower 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 liability to the PBGC (other than required premiums payments which are not past due after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) by Parent, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Plan and no ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred;

 

(d)     the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year) exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4041 of ERISA; and

 

(e)     none of the Parent, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period immediately preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, or had any actual or contingent liability to any Multiemployer Plan.

 

Section 7.11     Disclosure; No Material Misstatements. Parent and the Borrower have disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any Loan Party is subject, and all other existing facts and circumstances applicable to the Loan Parties known to Parent or the Borrower, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates 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), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial or other information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, it being understood that (i) any such projected financial information is merely a prediction as to future events and its not to be viewed as fact, (ii) such projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ significantly from the projected results and such differences may be material. There are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report which are based upon or include misleading material information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and the Loan Parties do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.

 

Section 7.12     Insurance. For the benefit of each Loan Party, Parent and the Borrower have insurance coverage in at least such amounts and against such risk (including public liability) as are required by Section 8.07.

 

Section 7.13     Restriction on Liens. No Loan Party is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money loan documents creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c), but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money loan document, or as otherwise permitted by Section 9.15), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Secured Obligations and the Loan Documents.

 

Section 7.14     Subsidiaries. Parent has no Subsidiaries other than the Borrower and except as set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy of such disclosure to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14.

 

Section 7.15     Foreign Operations. No Loan Party owns any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States of America or in the offshore federal waters of the United States of America. No Loan Party will own, directly or indirectly, any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Section 7.16     Location of Business and Offices. Parent’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of Parent as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Corporation; and the organizational identification number of the Parent in its jurisdiction of organization is 2675735. The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Louisiana; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C.; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is 34719938K (or, in each case, as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01(l) in accordance with Section 12.01(c)). 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(l) and Section 12.01(c)). Each Loan Party’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(l)).

 

Section 7.17     Properties; Title, Etc.

 

(a)     Each Loan Party has good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (except for those Oil and Gas Properties that have been disposed of since the date of such Reserve Report in accordance with this Agreement or leases which have expired in accordance with their terms) and good title to all its material personal Properties other than Properties sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section 9.11 from time to time, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.03. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, the Loan Party specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (except for those Oil and Gas Properties that have been disposed of since the date of such Reserve Report in accordance with this Agreement or leases which have expired in accordance with their terms), and except as otherwise provided by statute, regulation or the standard and customary provisions of any applicable joint operating agreement, the ownership of such Properties shall not in the aggregate in any material respect obligate the Loan Party to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Loan Party’s net revenue interest in such Property.

 

(b)     All leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Loan Parties including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Loan Parties to conduct their business as presently conducted in all material respects.

 

(d)     Each Loan Party owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property necessary to operate its business, and the use thereof by the Loan Party does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Loan Parties either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.18     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) of the Loan Parties have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental 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 of the Loan Parties in all material respects. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of the Loan Parties 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 (ii) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) of the Loan Parties is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental 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) of the Loan Parties. All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Loan Parties 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 Loan Parties, in a manner consistent with the Loan Parties’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.18 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

Section 7.19     Gas Imbalances. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(c), on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require any Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding 1% of the aggregate volumes of Hydrocarbons (on an Mcf equivalent basis) listed in the most recent Reserve Report.

 

Section 7.20     Marketing of Production. Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.20, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, (a) the Loan Parties 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 and (b) no material agreements exist, which are not cancelable on 90 days’ notice or less without penalty, for the sale of production from the Loan Parties’ Hydrocarbons (including calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date hereof or the date of such Reserve Report, as applicable.

 

Section 7.21     Security Documents. The Security Instruments are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Mortgaged Property and Collateral and proceeds thereof, as applicable, subject, in the case of enforceability, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.14(a), including the grace periods afforded the Borrower therein, the Secured Obligations are secured by a legal, valid and enforceability first priority perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, covering and encumbering (a) at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties and (b) the Collateral granted pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; provided that Liens permitted by Section 9.03 may exist.

 

Section 7.22     Swap Agreements. Schedule 7.22, as of the Closing Date, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by Parent or the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.01(d), as of the date specified therein, sets forth a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Loan Parties, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the estimated net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied, but excluding the Security Instruments) and the counterparty to each such agreement. The Borrower is a Qualified ECP Counterparty.

 

Section 7.23     Use of Loans and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used to pay all amounts currently due under the Existing Credit Agreement, to provide working capital for lease acquisitions, for exploration and production operations, for development (including the drilling and completion of producing wells), for acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties permitted hereunder and for general corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, purposes of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties. No Loan Party is 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 and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, as applicable) (a) the sum of the debt and liabilities (including subordinated and contingent liabilities) of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, does not exceed the fair value of the present assets of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, is greater than the total amount that will be required to pay the probable debt and liabilities (including subordinated and contingent liabilities) of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties as they become absolute and matured, (c) Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, have not incurred, or believe that they will incur, debts or other liabilities including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such debt as they mature in the ordinary course of business and (d) the capital of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small to engage in the business of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole. For the purpose of this Section 7.24, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Section 7.25     Foreign Corrupt Practices. None of Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA, including making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, Parent, the Borrower, their respective Subsidiaries, and their respective Affiliates have conducted their business in material compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

Section 7.26     Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC.

 

(a)     Parent and the Borrower have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by Parent, the Borrower, their respective Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

(b)     Parent, the Borrower, their respective Subsidiaries, their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of Parent and the Borrower, their respective directors and agents are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person.

 

(c)     None of (i) Parent, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective director, officers or employees, or (ii) to the knowledge of Parent and the Borrower, any agent of Parent or the Borrower that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. Parent and the Borrower will not directly or, to Parent’s or the Borrower’s direct knowledge, indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any applicable Sanctions.

 

Section 7.27     EEA Financial Institution. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Section 7.28     Beneficial Ownership Certification. The information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender is true and correct in all respects.

 

ARTICLE VIII     
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until Payment in Full, each of the Parent and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 8.01     Financial Statements; Other Information. Parent and the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender:

 

(a)     Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019, the audited consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and related statements of operations, members’ equity, and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Year, setting forth (in the case of the financial statements as of the end of and for each Fiscal Year ending on or after December 31, 2019) in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by Moss Adams LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing 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 condition and results of operations of Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(b)     Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Parent commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2019, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet for Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and related statements of operations, members’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, setting forth, in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending on or after March 31, 2019, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent 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.

 

(c)     Certificate of Financial Officer -- Compliance. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a Compliance Certificate (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) certifying that Parent has been in compliance with Sections 9.01(a) through Section 9.01(b) at such times as required therein and in connection therewith, setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating such compliance and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the most recently delivered financial statements referred to in Section 8.01(a) and Section 8.01(b) and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate.

 

(d)     Certificate of Financial Officer - Swap Agreements. Concurrently with the delivery of each Reserve Report under Section 8.12, a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of a recent date, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of each Loan Party, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor (as of the last Business Day of the period covered by such Reserve Report), any new credit support agreements relating thereto (other than Security Instruments) not listed on Schedule 7.22, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

(e)     Certificate of Insurer -- Insurance Coverage. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a), and within ten (10) Business Days following each material change in the insurance maintained in accordance with Section 8.07, certificates of insurance coverage with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07, in form and substance reasonably 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. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or material letter submitted to any Loan Party by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of any such Loan Party, and a copy of any response by such Loan Party, or the board of directors or other appropriate governing body of such Loan Party, to such letter or report. For avoidance of doubt, all formal material correspondence between such Persons shall be required to be disclosed, but such obligation shall not include emails and other informal correspondence among such Persons during the course of any such audit.

 

(g)     SEC and Other Filings; Reports to Shareholders. Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party with the SEC or with any national securities exchange.

 

(h)     Notices Under Material Instruments. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any financial statement, report or material notice furnished to or by any Person pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation, indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement evidencing Material Indebtedness (including, without limitation, at any time the Second Lien Debt is outstanding all certificates setting forth a calculation of the Asset Coverage Ratio (as such term is defined in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date) pursuant to the Second Lien Indenture, if such calculation is then required thereunder), other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 8.01.

 

(i)     Lists of Purchasers. Concurrently with the delivery of any Reserve Report to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.12, a list of all Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons from any Loan Party (or, with respect to Oil and Gas Properties that are not operated by a Loan Party, a list of the operators of such properties).

 

(j)     Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties and Unwinds of Swap Agreements. In the event the Borrower or any other Loan Party intends to (i) Dispose of any Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Loan Party that owns Oil and Gas Properties) and/or (ii) Unwind or otherwise Dispose of Swap Agreements which could result in an anticipated decline in the mark-to-market value thereof or net cash proceeds therefrom in excess of 5% of the Borrowing Base at such time (in a single transaction or in multiple transactions between Scheduled Redeterminations), prior written notice of the foregoing (of at least five (5) Business Days or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the price thereof, in the case of Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Loan Party that owns Oil and Gas Properties), and the anticipated decline in the mark-to-market value thereof or net cash proceeds therefrom, in the case of Swap Agreements, and, in each case, the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(k)     Notice of Casualty Events. Prompt written notice, and in any event within three (3) Business Days (or such other time as the Administrative Agent may agree), 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, in each case, of any Property of any Loan Party having a Fair Market Value in excess of $1,000,000.

 

(l)     Information Regarding Borrower and Guarantors. Prompt written notice of (and in any event within ten (10) days prior thereto or such other time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) any change (i) in a Loan Party’s name or in any trade name used to identify such Loan Party in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Loan Party’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization, (iv) in the Loan Party’s federal taxpayer identification number, and (v) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such certification.

 

(m)     Production Report and Lease Operating Statements. In connection with each Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(a), 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.

 

(n)     Patriot Act; Beneficial Ownership Resolution. Promptly upon request, (i) all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act and (ii) information and documentation that such Lender or Administrative Agent reasonably requests for purposes of compliance with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

(o)     Cash Flow Forecast. Not later than February 1 of each Fiscal Year, a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth an operating budget and capital expenditure forecast for the then-current Fiscal Year (on an annual and quarterly basis).

 

(p)     Notices of Certain Changes. Promptly, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the execution thereof, copies of any material amendment, modification or supplement to the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, any preferred stock designation or any other Organizational Document of Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party.

 

(q)     Take-or-Pay, Ship-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. Promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days, written notice of the Borrower or any other Loan Party entering into a take-or-pay, ship-or-pay or other prepayments arrangement with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any other Loan Party pursuant to which such Loan Party’s payment obligations thereunder are reasonably anticipated to exceed $5,000,000 per year.

 

(r)     Other Requested Information. Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Parent or any Subsidiary (including 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.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 8.01 may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which a Loan Party posts such documents to its publicly-accessible website or to EDGAR (or such other publicly-accessible internet database that may be established and maintained by the SEC as a substitute for or successor to EDGAR) or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions of any such documents.

 

Section 8.02     Notices of Material Events. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days, Parent and the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to each Lender) prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)     Defaults. The occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

 

(b)     Governmental Matters. The filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting any of the Loan Parties not previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent) that, in either case, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)     Material Adverse Effect. 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. Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party 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 necessary to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other material jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to maintain such rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises or to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.10.

 

Section 8.04     Payment of Obligations. Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, pay its obligations, including material tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent, except where (a) in the case of material tax liabilities, (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) Parent, the Borrower or such other Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) in the case of obligations other than material tax liabilities, the failure to make such payment could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 8.05     Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents. Each of Parent and the Borrower will pay the Loans according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof, and cause each other Loan Party to do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents, including this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

 

Section 8.06     Operation and Maintenance of Properties. Each of Parent and the Borrower, at its own expense, will, and will cause each other Loan Party to:

 

(a)     operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the customary practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all applicable Governmental Requirements, including applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, 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, except where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)     subject to Dispositions permitted hereunder, keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear and depletion excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other Properties material to the conduct of its business;

 

(c)     promptly (i) pay and discharge, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all material delay rentals, royalties, expenses and other similar payments accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its material Oil and Gas Properties, except to the extent being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and (ii) do all other things necessary, in accordance with industry standards, to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or material default thereunder;

 

(d)     promptly perform or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with customary industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the material assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, in each case in all material respects; and

 

(e)     operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in accordance with the customary practices of the industry and in material compliance with all applicable material contracts and agreements and in compliance in all material respects with all Governmental Requirements.

 

To the extent the Borrower is not the operator of any Property, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 8.06.

 

Section 8.07     Insurance. Each of Parent and the Borrower will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance covering all Loan Parties, 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 the applicable insurance policy or policies insuring the Loan Parties or their Property shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as sole “loss payee” or other formulation reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such liability policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds”. To the extent that the insurer will agree to do so, such policies will also provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent. The rights of Administrative Agent to recover the full amount of its claim shall not be affected, prejudiced or impaired by any right of subrogation to which any insurer may become entitled and any such subrogation shall be subject and subordinate to the prior and paramount Liens and rights of Administrative Agent for any and all indebtedness not fully discharged by the payment of loss or damage under this policy to Administrative Agent

 

Section 8.08     Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Governmental Requirements shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior written 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 during normal business hours and as often as reasonably requested; provided, however, that unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing neither Parent nor the Borrower shall be required to pay expenses relating to more than one such visit, inspection or examination in any twelve (12) consecutive month period.

 

Section 8.09     Compliance with Laws. Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property in all material respects. Each of Parent and the Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Loan Parties and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

Section 8.10     Environmental Matters.

 

(a)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to: (i) comply with all applicable Environmental Laws, and undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that all tenants and subtenants (if any), and all Persons with whom any Loan Party has contracted for the exploration, development, production, operation, or other management of an oil or gas well or lease, comply with all applicable Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) generate, use, treat, store, release, transport, dispose of, and otherwise manage all Hazardous Materials in a manner that could not reasonably be expected to result in any liability to any Loan Party or to adversely affect any real property owned, leased or operated by any of them, and take reasonable efforts to prevent any other Person from generating, using, treating, storing, releasing, transporting, disposing of, or otherwise managing Hazardous Materials in a manner that could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to any Loan Party, or with respect to any Mortgaged Property, could reasonably be expected to adversely affect its fair saleable value (for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to activities on properties neighboring such real property, such reasonable efforts shall not include any obligation to monitor such activities or properties), except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate with any other such failures, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will promptly, but in no event later than five (5) days after learning of any action, investigation, demand or inquiry contemplated by this Section 8.10(b), notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any action, investigation, demand, or inquiry by any Person threatened in writing or commenced against Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or any of their property or any property with respect to which a Loan Party has any interest or obligation, in connection with any applicable Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials (excluding routine testing and corrective action), unless Parent or the Borrower, as applicable, reasonably determines, based on the information reasonably available to it at the time, that such action, investigation, demand or inquiry is unlikely to result in costs and liabilities in excess of $1,000,000 (it being understood that the amount will be determined in the aggregate with the costs and liabilities of all related similar actions, investigations, demands or inquiries) and in any case could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that Parent or the Borrower, as applicable, shall be deemed to have given notice under this Section 8.10(b) regarding the matters set forth on Schedule 8.10(b) to this Agreement to the extent such matters are described thereon).

 

(c)     If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), at the expense of the Borrower (such expenses to be reasonable in light of the circumstances), conduct such investigation as it reasonably deems appropriate to determine the nature and extent of any noncompliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the nature and extent of the presence of any Hazardous Material and the nature and extent of any other environmental conditions that may exist at or affect any of the Mortgaged Properties, and the Loan Parties and each relevant Loan Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Administrative Agent in conducting such investigation and in implementing any response to such noncompliance, Hazardous Material or other environmental condition as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate. Such investigation and response may include, without limitation, a detailed visual inspection of the Mortgaged Properties, including all storage areas, storage tanks, drains and dry wells and other structures and locations, as well as the taking of soil samples, surface water samples, and ground water samples and such other investigations or analyses as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate, and any containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “Remedial Work”). Upon reasonable request and notice, the Administrative Agent and its officers, employees, agents and contractors shall have and are hereby granted the right to enter upon the Mortgaged Properties for the foregoing purposes.

 

Section 8.11     Further Assurances.

 

(a)     Each of Parent and the Borrower at their sole expense will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to (i) further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Secured Obligations, (ii) correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, (iii) state more fully the obligations secured therein, (iv) perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or (v) make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent to ensure that the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, has a perfected security interest in all assets of the Loan Parties intended as security for the Secured Obligations. In addition, at the Administrative Agent’s request, Parent and the Borrower, at their sole expense, shall provide any information requested to identify any Collateral, including an updated Perfection Certificate, a customary “lease to well” reconciliation schedule, list or similar item, exhibits to Mortgages in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which such exhibits shall be in recordable form for the applicable jurisdiction) or any other information requested in connection with the identification of any Collateral.

 

(b)     Each of Parent and 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 Mortgaged Property without the signature of Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party where permitted by law, which financing statements may contain a description of collateral that describes such property in any manner as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral consistent with the terms of the Loan Documents, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

 

Section 8.12     Reserve Reports.

 

(a)     On or before May 15, 2019 and thereafter on or before February 1st and August 1st of each year, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties as of May 1, 2019 or the immediately preceding January 1st or July 1st, as applicable. The Reserve Report as of January 1st and delivered on or before February 1st of each year (the “January 1 Reserve Report”), shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and the Reserve Report as of May 1, 2019 and delivered on or before May 20, 2019 and each Reserve Report as of July 1st and delivered on or before August 1st of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or internally under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and, except as otherwise specified therein, to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report.

 

(b)     In the event of a request for an Interim Redetermination pursuant to Section 2.07(b), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and, except as otherwise specified therein, to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report. For any Interim Redetermination requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.07(b), the Borrower shall provide such Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent as soon as possible, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days following the receipt of such request; provided that at any time prior to delivery of such Reserve Report the Administrative Agent may, or at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, elect to use the most recently delivered Reserve Report, which such Reserve Report may be rolled forward in a customary manner.

 

(c)     With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a Reserve Report Certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects, it being understood and agreed that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties and production and cost estimates contained in the Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that the Borrower and the other Loan Parties do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate, (ii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the Reserve Report Certificate, the Borrower or the other Loan Parties own good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in 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 Reserve Report Certificate, (A) on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.19 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any other Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor and (B) there are no take-or-pay or ship-or-pay contracts that are not then being disclosed or that have not been disclosed in a previous Reserve Report Certificate, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold (other than Hydrocarbons sold in the ordinary course of business) since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which exhibit shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold (other than Hydrocarbons sold in the ordinary course of business) and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the Reserve Report Certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into by a Loan Party subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which 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 and (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 PV-9 of the Oil and Gas Properties that the value of such Mortgaged Properties represent and that such percentage is in compliance with Section 8.14(a) (the certificate described herein, the “Reserve Report Certificate”).

 

Section 8.13     Title Information.

 

(a)     In connection with the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 8.12(a), the Borrower shall deliver title information in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering enough of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)     If the Borrower has provided title information for additional Properties under Section 8.13(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 (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may approve in its sole discretion), 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 Mortgaged Property Liens having an equivalent or greater 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 Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

 

(c)     If the Borrower is unable to cure any title defect requested by the Administrative Agent to be cured within the 60-day period or the Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report within such 60-day period, neither such failure nor the existence of such title defect shall be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their 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 with title to any Mortgaged Property after the 60-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Mortgaged Property shall not count towards the 85% requirement, and the Administrative Agent may send a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base 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 reasonably acceptable title information covering at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report. This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.

 

Section 8.14     Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.

 

(a)     In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Interim Redetermination), the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in Section 8.12(c)(vi)) to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties represent at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production. In the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not represent at least 85% of such PV-9 value, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause the other Loan Parties to, grant, within thirty (30) days of delivery of the Reserve Report Certificate required under Section 8.12(c) (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), to the Administrative Agent as security for the Secured Obligations a first-priority Lien (provided that Excepted Mortgaged Property Liens 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 Mortgaged Properties will represent at least 85% of such PV-9 value. 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 and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary grants a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties pursuant to this Section 8.14(a) and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(b). It is understood that the obligation to pledge and provide such first priority perfected liens (subject to Excepted Mortgaged Property Liens) on only 85% (rather than 100%) of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties is a matter of administrative convenience only and it is the intention of the parties that the Administrative Agent benefit from an all assets pledge of the Loan Parties’ Borrowing Base Properties; accordingly, at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the percentage of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties pledged to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties may be may be increased up to 100% (but in no case in a manner that would be unduly burdensome for the Borrower) upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)     Each of Parent and the Borrower shall promptly cause each Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (and any other Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 8.14(a)) to guarantee and secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, including pursuant to a supplement or joinder thereto. In connection with any such guaranty and security interest grant, Parent and the Borrower shall, or shall cause (i) such Subsidiary to promptly execute and deliver such Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (or a supplement thereto, as applicable) and (ii) the owners of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary to pledge all of the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary (including, if such Equity Interests are certificates, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and to promptly execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, legal opinions and certificates as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent. Parent shall at all times pledge all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower (including, if such Equity Interests are certificates, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of the Borrower, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof).

 

(c)     In the event that any Loan Party becomes the owner of any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, then such Loan Party shall (i) pledge 100% of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, that are owned by such Loan Party (including, if such Equity Interests are certificated, delivery of original stock certificates, if any, evidencing such Equity Interests, together with appropriate stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (ii) (along with such Subsidiary, as applicable) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, legal opinions and certificates as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will at all times cause the other material tangible and intangible assets of Parent, the Borrower and each Loan Party to be subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments (subject to customary exclusions and exceptions set forth in such Security Instruments).

 

Section 8.15     ERISA Compliance. Each of Parent and the Borrower will promptly furnish and will cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent (a) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any Prohibited Transaction, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Parent, the Borrower or the other Loan Parties in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice of Parent, the Borrower or such other Guarantor or ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action such Person is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, if any, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (b) 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 Plan, each of Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary and ERISA Affiliate to, (A) 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 and of section 302 of ERISA, and (B) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, after giving effect to any applicable grace period, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA. Promptly following receipt thereof from the administrator or plan sponsor, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following any request therefor by the Administrative Agent in respect of documents received, Parent or the Borrower, as applicable, will furnish or will cause any applicable Subsidiary and any applicable ERISA Affiliate to furnish to the Administrative Agent copies of any documents described in Sections 101(k) or 101(l) of ERISA that any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan to which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute; provided, that if the Loan Parties or any of their ERISA Affiliates have not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties and/or their ERISA Affiliates shall promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following such request, make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and Parent or the Borrower, as applicable, shall provide copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following receipt thereof.

 

Section 8.16     Account Control Agreements. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, in connection with any Deposit Account, any Commodity Account and/or any Securities Account (except for any zero-balance account) established, held or maintained on or after the Closing Date promptly, but in any event within the later of (i) sixty (60) days after the Closing Date or (ii) twenty (20) Business Days after the establishment of such account (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), cause such Deposit Account, Commodity Account and/or Securities Account (except for any zero-balance account) to be subject to a Control Agreement.

 

Section 8.17     Required Hedges. The Borrower or Parent will, within thirty (30) days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after the Closing Date enter into the Required Hedges and provide reasonably satisfactory evidence thereof to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX     
NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until Payment in Full, each of Parent and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 9.01     Financial Covenants.

 

(a)     Ratio of Net Funded Debt to EBITDAX. Parent and the Borrower will not, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2019, permit the ratio of Net Funded Debt of Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such day to EBITDAX of Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Net Funded Debt Ratio”) for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such day to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00.

 

(b)     Current Ratio. Parent and the Borrower will not, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2019, permit the Current Ratio of Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such day to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

 

(c)     Additional Financial Covenants. From and after the issuance of the 2021 Notes on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date until no 2021 Notes remain outstanding (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any refinancing or replacement of the 2021 Notes), Parent will not permit as of any Test Date, the ratio of (1) Total Proved PV10% as of such Test Date attributable to the Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proved Reserves to (2) Total Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash on such date in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 held by Parent and its Subsidiaries) to be less than 1.50 to 1.00. Each term used in this clause (c) but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Second Lien Indenture in effect on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date.

 

Section 9.02     Indebtedness. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)     the Loans or other Secured Obligations;

 

(b)     (i) Indebtedness under Senior Unsecured Notes not to exceed $300,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; provided that (x) on the date any such Senior Unsecured Notes are issued and immediately after giving effect to such issuance, Parent and the Borrower are in compliance on a pro forma basis with Section 9.01(a) and (b), (y) on the date any such Senior Unsecured Notes are issued (A) the Borrowing Base is reduced as required by Section 2.08(c) and (B) the Borrower has made any prepayments required by Section 3.04(c)(iii) and (z) at the time such Indebtedness under Senior Unsecured Notes is incurred, no Second Lien Debt is outstanding (after giving effect to any substantially contemporaneous payoff of Second Lien Debt at the time of such incurrence) or (ii) Second Lien Debt pursuant to the Second Lien Documents, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement (and on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date 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 such Intercreditor Agreement) and any refinancing of the Second Lien Debt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that (x) the principal amount of the Second Lien Debt shall not exceed the sum of (A) $12,000,000 and (B) any interest on the Second Lien Debt that is paid in kind by increasing the principal amount of the Second Lien Debt and (y) on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date the Borrower has made the prepayments required by Section 3.04(e);

 

(c)     Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in Section 9.02(b) (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount of the Original Indebtedness, except by an amount equal to any premium or reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing (including for the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the foregoing, original issue discount and upfront fees), (ii) such Refinance Indebtedness is not secured by any Liens granted by a Loan Party, (iii) no Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (iv) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (v) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness taken as a whole (A) other than fees and interest are not materially less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (B) shall not contain any default, event of default or covenant that is materially adverse to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness unless such additional  default, event of default or covenant would also be added to the Loan Documents, and (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness;

 

(d)     purchase money Indebtedness, Indebtedness of any Loan Party under Capital Lease Obligations, and extensions, renewals, refinancing and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the aggregate principal amount thereof (except by an amount equal to outstanding interest, premiums, fees and expenses incurred with regard to such Indebtedness being extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (d) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(e)     unsecured Indebtedness associated with worker’s compensation claims, bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements or by third parties in the ordinary course of business in connection with the operation of, or provision for the abandonment and remediation of, the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties;

 

(f)     (i) Indebtedness between the Parent and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties, (ii) Indebtedness between the Subsidiaries of the Parent which are Loan Parties, and (iii) Indebtedness extended to the Parent and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties by any Loan Parties; provided that (A) such Indebtedness is not assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than a Loan Party, and (B) any such Indebtedness owed by either the Parent or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(g)     endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business and cash management obligations, cash management services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearing house arrangements, employees’ credit or purchase cards, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)     any guarantee of any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder;

 

(i)     unsecured Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements entered into in compliance with Section 9.17;

 

(j)     Indebtedness arising under insurance premium financing arrangements for insurance policies required hereunder or otherwise maintained by the Borrower or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)     Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case assumed or entered into in connection with acquisitions, Investments and the Disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests permitted hereunder; and

 

(l)     other Indebtedness not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

 

Section 9.03     Liens. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, 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 Secured Obligations;

 

(b)     Excepted Liens;

 

(c)     Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 9.02(d) but only on the Property that is the subject of any such Indebtedness (and any repairs, replacements, additions, modifications, accessions and improvements thereto, insurance thereon, and the proceeds of the foregoing);

 

(d)     Liens on Property not constituting Collateral or Borrowing Base Properties that secure Indebtedness or other obligations and that are not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Section 9.03; provided that the aggregate or principal or face amount of all Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such Liens pursuant to this Section 9.03(d), and the Fair Market Value of the Properties subject to such Liens (determined as of the date such Liens are incurred), shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(e)     Liens on any Property constituting Investments made pursuant to Section 9.05(k);

 

(f)     Liens of an escrow agent or other depository institution solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by a Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and permitted hereunder;

 

(g)     Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto pursuant to insurance premium financing entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)     any amounts held by a trustee under any indenture or other debt agreement with respect to the Existing Second Lien Indenture or governing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.02 issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof;

 

(i)     Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 9.05 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment and (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a transaction permitted under Section 9.11, in each case, (A) solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien and (B) such Investment or Disposition occurs within thirty (30) days of the Loan Party granting such Lien; and

 

(j)     Liens securing the Second Lien Debt that is permitted under Section 9.02(b)(ii) hereunder for so long as such Second Lien Debt and the holders thereof are subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Section 9.04     Restricted Payments. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Loan Parties to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

 

(a)     any Loan Party may make Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock);

 

(b)     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends and other Restricted Payments ratably to the Parent and any other Loan Party;

 

(c)     the Parent and the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with employment agreements, stock option plans, other equity compensation plans or other benefit or incentive plans for management, employees or other individual service providers of the Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties which plans have been approved by the Parent’s or the Borrower’s board of directors or other governing body, to the extent such Restricted Payments are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)     the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with any refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 9.02;

 

(e)     the Parent may repurchase Equity Interests of the Parent upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represents all or a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(f)     the Parent and the Borrower may make Restricted Payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with the conversion of any convertible debt (including the Second Lien Debt) or payment of any Restricted Payment otherwise permitted hereby;

 

(g)     the Parent may make Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests that are payable in cash; provided that: (i) no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, Availability is no less than 25% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments, and (iii) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, the Net Funded Debt Ratio shall not be greater than 2.50 to 1.00; and

 

(h)     the Parent may make Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests that are payable in cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000, provided that no Borrowing Base Deficiency, Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom.

 

Section 9.05     Investments, Loans and Advances. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

 

(a)     Investments which are disclosed in Schedule 9.05;

 

(b)     accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business or under Section 9.09;

 

(c)     Investments in Cash Equivalents and Investments that were Cash Equivalents when made;

 

(d)     Investments (i) made by the Parent in or to its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties (or Persons that become Loan Parties substantially contemporaneously with such Investments), (ii) made by the Subsidiaries of the Parent which are Loan Parties to each other and the Parent or (iii) made by any Loan Party in or to the Parent or to its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties (or Persons that become Loan Parties substantially contemporaneously with such Investments);

 

(e)     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 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 are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located, in each case, within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America;

 

(f)     Investments pursuant to Swap Agreements otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

 

(g)     loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business, but in any event not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(h)     Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 9.05 and accounts receivable owing to the Parent 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 Parent 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 $1,000,000;

 

(i)      guarantees of Indebtedness permitted by Section 9.02 and  guarantees by the Parent or any Subsidiary for the performance or payment obligations of the Parent or any other Loan Party, which obligations were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute Indebtedness;

 

(j)     Investments constituting deposits made in connection with the purchase of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)     subject to the limits in Section 9.06, 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 the Parent with others in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) any such venture is engaged exclusively in oil and gas exploration, development, production, processing and related activities, including transportation, (ii) the interest in such venture is acquired on fair and reasonable terms and (iii) 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 $10,000,000 (net of the fair market value of any dividends, distributions, and return of capital received by the applicable Loan Party in respect of Investments previously made pursuant to this clause) so long as, both before and after giving effect to such Investment, there is no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency that has occurred and is continuing;

 

(l)     pledges and deposits of cash expressly permitted by Section 9.03; and

 

(m)     other Investments not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time at any one time outstanding (net of the fair market value of any dividends, distributions, and return of capital received by the applicable Loan Party in respect of Investments previously made pursuant to this clause).

 

Section 9.06     Nature of Business; No International Operations. Each of Parent and the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will not allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The Loan Parties will not acquire or make any other expenditures (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States of America or in the offshore federal waters of the United States of America.

 

Section 9.07     Proceeds of Loans. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Borrowings to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.23. No Loan Party nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower or the Parent has taken or will take any action which may 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, each of the Parent and 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. The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and each of Parent and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that the other Loan Parties and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

Section 9.08     ERISA Compliance. Except as could not, whether individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any ERISA Affiliate to, at any time:

 

(a)     engage in any transaction in connection with which Parent, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, could be subject to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

 

(b)     terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability of Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC;

 

(c)     fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, after giving effect to any applicable grace period, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, Parent, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto;

 

(d)     fail to satisfy, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to fail to satisfy, the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), in any case whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan; and

 

(e)     acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Subsidiary or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period immediately preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (1) any Multiemployer Plan, or (2) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA and determined as of the end of the most recent plan year) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.

 

Section 9.09     Sale or Discount of Receivables. Except for receivables obtained by the Loan Parties 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, each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

 

Section 9.10     Mergers, Etc. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person, (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) (any such transaction, a “consolidation”), or liquidate or dissolve, except that (a) any Loan Party may consolidate with or into the Borrower (provided the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity), (b) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) may consolidate with any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a Loan Party (provided such Subsidiary Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving entity), (c) so long as no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of such consolidation, the Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other Person in connection with an acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 9.05 (provided that the Person surviving the consolidation shall be the Borrower in the event the Borrower participates in such consolidation, or otherwise a Subsidiary of the Borrower that complies with Section 8.14 and Section 9.06 to the extent applicable) and (d) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may liquidate or dissolve so long as its assets (if any) are distributed to the Borrower or another Loan Party prior to such liquidation or dissolution.

 

Section 9.11     Sale of Properties . Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property (subject to Section 9.10) except for:

 

(a)     the sale or other Disposition of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)     farmouts of Oil and Gas Properties consisting solely of undeveloped acreage and assignments in connection with such farmouts;

 

(c)     if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the sale or other Disposition (including any farmout, asset swap or similar agreement) of Oil and Gas Properties not given any Borrowing Base Value, Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that does not own any Oil and Gas Properties given any Borrowing Base Value, and other assets not included in the Borrowing Base;

 

(d)     the sale or transfer of equipment that (i) is obsolete, worn out, or no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or such other Loan Party or (ii) is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use;

 

(e)     the sale or other Disposition (including Casualty Events or in connection with any condemnation proceeding) of any Oil and Gas Property that is given Borrowing Base Value or any interest therein or Equity Interests of any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties that are given Borrowing Base Value, or the Unwind of Swap Agreements; provided that:

 

(i)     other than with regard to a Casualty Event or in connection with a condemnation proceeding, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing nor would a Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency (after giving effect to Section 2.08(a) and any prepayment of the Loans made with the proceeds of such sale or other Disposition or Unwind (including any prepayment required to be made pursuant to Section 2.08(a))) result therefrom,

 

(ii)     either (A) not less than 90% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other Disposition shall be cash or cash equivalents and any non-cash consideration received (to the extent constituting an Investment) is permitted under Section 9.05 and is pledged as collateral to secure the Secured Obligations or (B) the consideration consists of cash, cash equivalents and/or other Oil and Gas Properties,

 

(iii)     (other than in respect of Casualty Events) the consideration received in respect of a sale or other Disposition of any Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Equity Interests of any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the Oil and Gas Property, Equity Interest or interest therein subject of such sale or other Disposition (as reasonably determined by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying to the foregoing), and

 

(iv)     if any such sale or other Disposition is of Equity Interests of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such sale or other Disposition shall include 100% of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary;

 

(f)     licenses of intellectual property, none of which, in the aggregate, materially impair the operation of the business of the Parent or its Subsidiaries;

 

(g)     the abandonment of intellectual property that is no longer material to the operation of the business of the Parent or its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)     sales and other Dispositions for cash of Properties (not otherwise regulated by this Section 9.11) having a Fair Market Value not to exceed $2,000,000 during any twelve (12) month period;

 

(i)     transfers of Properties from any Loan Party to any other Loan Party; provided, that, at the time of such Disposition and to the extent required to comply with Section 8.14(a) after giving effect thereto, the relevant Loan Party shall grant to the Administrative Agent, as security for the Secured Obligations, a first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.03) on such Properties as contemplated by such Section;

 

(j)     Casualty Events with respect to Properties which are not Oil and Gas Properties;

 

(k)     Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof (other than in connection with any financing transaction);

 

(l)     any transaction permitted by Section 9.03, Section 9.05, or Section 9.10;

 

(m)     any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 9.04;

 

(n)     Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements, drag-along rights, tag-along rights, and other customary provisions with respect to joint venture entities set forth in joint venture arrangements;

 

(o)     Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(p)     any sale or discount of receivables permitted pursuant to Section 9.09.

 

Section 9.12     Sales and Leasebacks. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by any Loan Party of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Loan Party to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Loan Party.

 

Section 9.13     Environmental Matters. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, undertake (or allow to be undertaken at any property subject to its control) anything which will subject any such property to any obligation to conduct any investigation or remediation under any applicable Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Material that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, it being understood that the foregoing will not be deemed to limit (i) any obligation under applicable Environmental Law to disclose any relevant facts, conditions or circumstances to the appropriate Governmental Authority as and to the extent required by any such Environmental Law, (ii) any investigation or remediation required to be conducted under applicable Environmental Law, (iii) any investigation reasonably requested by a prospective purchaser of any property, provided that such investigation is subject to conditions and limitations (including indemnification and insurance obligations regarding the conduct of such investigation) that are reasonably protective of Parent, the Borrower and any Loan Party, or (iv) any investigation or remediation required pursuant to any lease agreements with the owners of any Properties.

 

Section 9.14     Transactions with Affiliates. Except for payment of Restricted Payments permitted by Section 9.04, each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate unless such transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement and 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, other than (a) transactions between or among the Loan Parties, (b) Investments permitted under Section 9.05(g), (c) the performance of employment, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreements, plans or other similar compensation or benefit plans or arrangements (including vacation plans, health and insurance plans, deferred compensation plans and retirement or savings plans) entered into by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business with its employees, officers and directors, (d) fees and compensation to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, and employees of the Parent (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries in their capacity as such, to the extent such fees and compensation are customary, and (e) issuances of Equity Interests of the Parent and the Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

 

Section 9.15     Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions. Each of the Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than (a) this Agreement and the Security Instruments, (b) the Second Lien Debt and the Second Lien Security Documents, (c) agreements or arrangements evidencing or related to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent such restriction applies only to the property securing such Indebtedness, (d) customary restrictions and conditions with respect to the sale or disposition of Property or Equity Interests permitted under Section 9.11 pending the consummation of such sale or disposition, (e) agreements and understandings contained in joint venture agreements or other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business in respect to the disposition or distribution of assets of such joint venture or equity interests in such joint venture, (f) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and obligations under Capital Leases that impose restrictions on transferring the property so acquired, (g) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and (h) encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Parent’s board of directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties or restricts any Loan Party from paying dividends or making distributions to the Parent or any other Loan Party, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith.

 

Section 9.16     Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, allow take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party that would require Parent, the Borrower or such other Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor to exceed 1% of the annual production of gas of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties for the most recent calendar year, on an mcf equivalent basis in the aggregate.

 

Section 9.17     Swap Agreements.

 

(a)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any Swap Agreements with any Person other than:

 

(i)     Swap Agreements between a Loan Party and an Approved Counterparty in respect of commodities entered into not for speculative purposes the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Swap Agreements then in effect other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements) do not exceed (x) for any month during the 36 month period following any date of determination, eighty percent (80%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production from proved reserves from Oil and Gas Properties (as such production is projected in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) for each month during such period for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately and (y) for any month during the 24 month period beginning 37 months following any date of determination (and, for the avoidance of doubt, ending with the 60th month following such date of determination), eighty-five percent (85%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production from proved developed producing reserves from Oil and Gas Properties (as such production is projected in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) for each month during such period for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately; provided, that, in each case, (A) put option contracts or floors that are not related to corresponding calls, collars or swaps shall not be included in calculating such percentage threshold and (B) such Swap Agreements shall not, in any case, have a tenor of greater than five (5) years. It is understood that Swap Agreements in respect of commodities which may, from time to time, “hedge” the same volumes, but different elements of commodity risk thereof, shall not be aggregated together when calculating the foregoing limitations on notional volumes; and

 

(ii)     Swap Agreements entered into by a Loan Party 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 Agreements of the Borrower then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed 80% of the then outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness.

 

(b)     In no event shall any Swap Agreement (i) contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for any Guarantor to post collateral or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures (other than under the Security Instruments) or (ii) provide for the sale by any Loan Party of physical Hydrocarbons in exchange for cash in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(c)     Swap Agreements shall only be entered into in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes);

 

(d)     No Swap Agreement in respect of commodities shall be terminated, unwound, cancelled or otherwise disposed of except to the extent permitted by Section 9.11;

 

(e)     If, after the end of any calendar month, the aggregate volume of all Swap Agreements in respect of commodities for which settlement payments were calculated in such calendar month (other than puts, floors, and basis differential swaps on volumes hedged by other Swap Agreements) exceeded 100% of actual production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, in such calendar month, then, to the extent necessary, the applicable Loan Party shall terminate, create off-setting positions, allocate volumes to other production any Loan Party is marketing, or otherwise unwind existing Swap Agreements such that, at such time, future hedging volumes will not exceed 100% of reasonably anticipated projected production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, for the then-current and any succeeding calendar months.

 

Section 9.18     Amendments to Organizational Documents . Each of Parent and the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to, amend, supplement or otherwise modify (or permit to be amended, supplemented or modified) its Organizational Documents, in each case, in any respect that could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

Section 9.19     Changes in Fiscal Periods. Each of Parent and the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to have its Fiscal Year end on a date other than December 31 or change the method of determining Fiscal Quarters.

 

Section 9.20     Marketing Activities. Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Loan Parties to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (i) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from their proved Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, (ii) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from proved Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties that Parent, the Borrower or one of the other Loan Parties 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 (iii) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (A) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e. corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (B) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.

 

Section 9.21     Agreements Governing Senior Unsecured Notes and Second Lien Debt.

 

(a)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Loan Parties to, enter into, amend or otherwise modify any agreements and instruments governing Indebtedness pursuant to Senior Unsecured Notes, unless such agreements and instruments continue to meet the requirements of the defined term “Senior Unsecured Notes” after giving effect to such entry, amendments or modifications.

 

(b)     Neither Parent nor the Borrower shall, nor shall they permit any of the other Loan Parties to, amend, modify or waive any provision of (i) any Second Lien Document (other than the Note Purchase Agreement) if such amendment, modification or waiver is prohibited under the Intercreditor Agreement or (ii) the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

(c)     Neither Parent nor the Borrower shall, nor shall they permit any of the other Loan Parties to, grant a Lien on any Property to secure the Second Lien Debt without previously or contemporaneously granting to Administrative Agent, as security for the Secured Obligations, a first priority Lien on the same Property pursuant to Security Instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Section 9.22     Redemption of Senior Unsecured Notes and Second Lien Debt.

 

(a)     Each of Parent and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Loan Parties to, make any payments on account of principal (whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, set-off or otherwise), interest, premium or fees in respect of any Senior Unsecured Notes prior to the scheduled maturity or due date, as applicable, thereof, except (a) in connection with any permitted Refinance Indebtedness under Section 9.02(c) and (b) from amounts that would otherwise be permitted to be paid as a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 9.04(g).

 

(b)     Prior to the date that is three months after the Maturity Date, neither Parent nor the Borrower shall, nor shall they permit any of the other Loan Parties to (i) call, make or offer to make any Redemption of or otherwise Redeem any Second Lien Debt (including any optional or mandatory prepayment of Second Lien Debt), except (x) with respect to any mandatory prepayment or mandatory Redemption of Second Lien Debt, to the extent such mandatory prepayment or mandatory Redemption would also be required by the terms of Section 3.04(c) or Section 3.04(d) hereof and the Lenders have waived the requirement to make such mandatory prepayment or mandatory Redemption in accordance with the terms hereof, (y) a refinancing of the Second Lien Debt in accordance with this Agreement and (to the extent that such refinancing debt is secured by a Lien junior to the Lien securing the Secured Obligations) the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (z) a Redemption in full of the 2021 Notes to the extent that the Borrower would be in pro forma compliance with Section 9.01(c) after giving effect to such Redemption, or (ii) pay any interest in cash on the 2021 Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any refinancing or replacement of the 2021 Notes that is secured by a Lien junior to the Lien securing the Secured Obligations), including in respect of any portion thereof payable in kind.

 

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 LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration 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 Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

 

(c)     any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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, notice, 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 (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall prove to have been incorrect) when made or deemed made;

 

(d)     (i) Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8.01(l)(i), Section 8.01(l)(iii), Section 8.02, Section 8.03 (with respect to legal existence), Section 8.14, Section 8.16, Section 8.17 or in Article IX.

 

(e)     Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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), Section 10.01(c) or Section 10.01(d)), the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (A) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (B) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such other Loan Party otherwise becoming aware of such default;

 

(f)     Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the relevant document for such Material Indebtedness;

 

(g)     any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (after giving effect to any applicable notice periods, if any, and any applicable grace periods) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any such 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 Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party to make an offer in respect thereof;

 

(h)     an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Loan Party, or its or their debts, or of a substantial part of its or their 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 Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its or their assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) consecutive days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i)     Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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(h), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its or their assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it or them in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing or (vii) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(j)     (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance 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 any Loan Party or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged, unstayed or unsatisfied for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;

 

(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 Parent, the Borrower or a Loan Party thereto or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or Parent, the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their Affiliates shall so state or assert in writing;

 

(l)     a Change in Control shall occur; or

 

(m)     for so long as the Second Lien Debt is outstanding (and without giving effect to any payment of the Second Lien Debt in violation of the terms of this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement), any material provision of the Intercreditor Agreement shall, for any reason (other than an amendment or termination of the Intercreditor Agreement entered into in accordance with the terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect against the Second Lien Administrative Agent or any of the holders of Second Lien Debt.

 

Section 10.02     Remedies.

 

(a)     In the case of an Event of Default (other than one described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i)), at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments and/or the LC Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments and/or the LC Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Notes and 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 Loan Parties accrued hereunder and under the Loans and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.09(j)), shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Loan Party; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i), the 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 other Loan Parties accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.09(j)), shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Loan Party. During 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.

 

(b)     In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default which results in the Commitments terminating then the Borrowing Base shall automatically and concurrently be reduced to $0 simultaneously with the termination of the Commitments.

 

(c)     All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other Disposition of Collateral and any other amounts received after maturity of the Loans, whether from the Borrower, another Loan Party, by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:

 

(i)     first, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

(ii)     second, pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;

 

(iii)     third, pro rata to payment of accrued interest on the Loans;

 

(iv)     fourth, pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans, Secured Obligations referred to in clause (b) and (c) of the definition of Secured Obligations and LC Disbursements;

 

(v)     fifth, pro rata to any other Secured Obligations;

 

(vi)     sixth, to serve as cash collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure;

 

(vii)     seventh, to the Second Lien Agent as required under the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(viii)     eighth, any excess, after all of the Secured Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.

 

ARTICLE XI     
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Section 11.01     Appointment; Powers. Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender (and each Person that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 12.04) hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to enter into the Security Instruments on behalf of such Lender, in each case, as needed to effectuate the transactions permitted by this Agreement and agrees that the Administrative Agent may take such actions on its behalf as is contemplated by the terms of such applicable Security Instrument. Without limiting the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 12.03, each Lender hereby consents to the Administrative Agent and any successor serving in such capacity and agrees not to assert any claim (including as a result of any conflict of interest) against the Administrative Agent, or any such successor, arising from the role of the Administrative Agent or such successor under the Loan Documents so long as it is either acting in accordance with the terms of such documents and otherwise has not engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

Section 11.02     Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of 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 is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; 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) the Administrative Agent shall have no 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 shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any other Loan Party that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative 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 or as to those conditions precedent expressly required to be to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties 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 proposed closing date specifying its objection thereto.

 

Section 11.03     Action by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Majority 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 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 Majority 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 shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of 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 shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or Governmental Requirement. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Majority 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 the Administrative Agent shall not 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 Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative 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 the Issuing Bank(s) hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 11.05     Subagents. The Administrative 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. The Administrative 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 any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

Section 11.06     Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint from among the Lenders a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank(s) appoint a qualified financial institution as successor Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Section 11.07     Administrative Agent as a Lender. The bank serving as the Administrative 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 the Administrative 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 the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

Section 11.08     No Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on 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 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 Administrative Agent shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by, the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of any such Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Arranger shall not 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 Loan Party (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of such agent or any of its Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Haynes and Boone, LLP is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. 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 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 the other Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on 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, LC Disbursements and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders 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, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 3.05 and Section 12.03.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

Section 11.10     Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Guarantors and Collateral and Liens. The Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party:

 

(a)     irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to comply with the provisions of Section 12.18 (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Person except as expressly required by Section 12.02(b)) and

 

(b)     authorize the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to the Loan Parties, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents as reasonably requested by such Loan Party 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 9.11 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Majority Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.10 or Section 12.18.

 

Section 11.11     Duties of the Arranger and Syndication Agent. The Arranger and the Syndication Agent shall not have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than their duties, responsibilities and liabilities in their capacity as a Lender hereunder.

 

Section 11.12     Credit Bidding. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Majority Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Majority Lenders on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Secured Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any Disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Majority Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Majority Lenders contained in Section 12.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Secured Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason, such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Secured Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Secured Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

 

Section 11.13     Certain ERISA Matters .

 

(a)     Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)     such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement,

 

(ii)     the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii)     (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv)     such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)     In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, or the Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

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 fax, as follows:

 

(i)     if to the Borrower or Parent, to it at:

 

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77002,

Attention of Robert C. Turnham, Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer

Email: Robert.Turnham@goodrichpetroleum.com

 

With a copy to:

 

801 Louisiana, Suite 700

Houston, TX 77002,

Attention of Michael J. Killelea, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Email: Mike.Killelea@goodrichpetroleum.com

 

 

(ii)     if to the Administrative Agent, to it at:

 

SunTrust Bank

3333 Peachtree Road, N.E. / 8th Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Attention: Brian Y. Guffin

Email: brian.guffin@suntrust.com

 

 

With a copy to (for Information purposes only):

 

     SunTrust Bank
     Agency Services
     303 Peachtree Street, N.E. / 25th Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Attention: Agency Services Manager
     Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001

 

 

if to the Issuing Bank, to it at:

 

SunTrust Bank

Attn: Standby Letter of Credit Dept.

245 Peachtree Center Ave., 17th FL

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Telephone: (800) 951-7847

 

(iii)     if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax 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 fax 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.

 

(a)     No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank 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 Issuing Bank 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 any Loan Party 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 or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

 

(b)     Subject to Section 3.03(b) and Section 12.02(c) below, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into (x) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Majority Lenders or (y) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders; provided, that, with respect to any waiver, amendment or modification of any provision hereof on or prior to the Closing Date, no such provision may be waived, amended or modified without the written consent of the Exiting Lender; provided, further, that no such agreement shall:

 

(i)     increase the Maximum Credit Amount of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,

 

(ii)     increase the Borrowing Base without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base without the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that a Scheduled Redetermination and the delivery of a Reserve Report may be postponed by the Required Lenders; provided further that it is understood that any waiver (or amendment or modification that would have the effect of a waiver) of the right of the Required Lenders to adjust (through a reduction of) the Borrowing Base or the amount of such adjustment in the form of a reduction to the Borrowing Base pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions in connection with the occurrence of a relevant event giving rise to such right shall require the consent of the Required Lenders,

 

(iii)     reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Secured Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any waiver of any default interest payment obligations only need to be entered into (x) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Majority Lenders or (y) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders,

 

(iv)     postpone the scheduled date of (A) payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, (B) any interest thereon, or (C) any fees payable hereunder, or any other Secured Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the Termination Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any waiver of any default interest payment obligations only need to be entered into (x) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Majority Lenders or (y) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders,

 

(v)     change Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(vi)     waive or amend Section 10.02(c) without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided that any waiver or amendment to Section 10.02(c) or to this proviso in this Section 12.02(b)(vi), or any amendment or modification to any Security Instrument that results in the Secured Swap Agreement secured by such Security Instrument no longer being secured thereby on an equal and ratable basis with the principal of the Loans, or any amendment or other change to the definition of the terms “Secured Swap Agreement,” or “Secured Swap Provider”, which would result in an equivalent effect shall also require the written consent of each Secured Swap Provider adversely affected thereby,

 

(vii)     release any Guarantor (other than as a result of a transaction permitted hereby), release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.10) without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or

 

(viii)     change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or the definitions of “Majority Lenders” or “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 (other than Defaulting Lenders); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplement to any Schedule 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.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, may amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document without the consent of any Lender in order to (i) correct, amend, cure or resolve any ambiguity, omission, defect, typographical error, inconsistency or other manifest error therein, (ii) add a guarantor or collateral or otherwise enhance the rights and benefits of the Lenders, (iii) make administrative or operational changes not adverse to any Lender or (iv) adhere to any local Governmental Requirement or advice of local counsel not adverse to any Lender; provided that, in each case, the Lenders shall have received at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice of any such amendment, modification or supplement and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within such three (3) Business Day period, a written notice from the Majority Lenders stating that the Majority Lenders object to such amendment modification or supplement.

 

(d)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Documents, the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased without its consent (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any increase, decrease or reaffirmation of the Borrowing Base) and the Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Borrower amend, modify or supplement the Loan Documents to effectuate an increase to the Borrowing Base where such Defaulting Lender does not consent to an increase to its Commitment, including not increasing the Borrowing Base by the portion thereof applicable to the Defaulting Lender.

 

Section 12.03     Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)     The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of environmental invasive and non-invasive assessments and audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the syndication of this Agreement, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent 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 documented out-of-pocket costs, expenses, assessments and other charges and Other Taxes incurred by the Administrative 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 or conducting of title reviews, mortgage matches and collateral reviews, (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iv) all documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (but limited to one counsel and reasonably necessary special counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender taken as a whole (and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender taken as a whole), and solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel (and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) for the affected parties similarly situated) 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 all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

(b)     THE BORROWER SHALL AND SHALL CAUSE EACH LOAN PARTY TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER, THE SYNDICATION AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER, their respective affiliates, and their respective RELATED PARTIES (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “INDEMNITEE”) AGAINST, AND DEFEND AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE (SUCH LEGAL EXPENSES TO BE LIMITED TO ONE COUNSEL AND REASONABLY NECESSARY SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR THE INDEMNITEES TAKEN AS A WHOLE (AND, IF NECESSARY, ONE FIRM OF LOCAL COUNSEL IN EACH RELEVANT JURISDICTION FOR THE INDEMNITEES TAKEN AS A WHOLE), AND SOLELY IN THE CASE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ONE ADDITIONAL COUNSEL (AND IF REASONABLY NECESSARY, ONE LOCAL COUNSEL IN EACH RELEVANT JURISDICTION) FOR THE AFFECTED INDEMNITEES SIMILARLY SITUATED), INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF, and any enforcement against the Borrower or any other LOAN PARTY of any rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (ii) 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, (iii) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iv) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (v) ANY LOAN OR LETTER OF CREDIT OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, INCLUDING (A) ANY REFUSAL BY AN ISSUING BANK TO HONOR A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT UNDER A LETTER OF CREDIT IF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH DEMAND DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT, OR (B) THE PAYMENT OF A DRAWING UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT NOTWITHSTANDING THE NON-COMPLIANCE, NON-DELIVERY OR OTHER IMPROPER PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (vi) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (vii) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY BY SUCH PERSONS, (viii) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (ix) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials or any liability under Environmental Law related to the Borrower or any other LOAN PARTY, (x) THE PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY OR (xi) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY, WHETHER BROUGHT BY A THIRD PARTY OR BY ANY LOAN PARTY, 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 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 INCLUDING ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES (x) ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM (1) THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE OR (2) a material breach IN BAD FAITH by such Indemnitee of its EXPRESS obligations under this Agreement AT A TIME WHEN THE BORROWER HAS NOT BREACHED ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT PURSUANT TO A CLAIM INITIATED BY THE BORROWER OR (y) RELATE TO ANY PROCEEDING SOLELY BETWEEN OR AMONG INDEMNITEES OTHER THAN (1) CLAIMS AGAINST ANY AGENT, ISSUING BANK OR ARRANGER OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES IN THEIR CAPACITY OR IN FULFILLING THEIR ROLE UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT TO THE EXTENT SUCH INDEMNITEE IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12.03(b) AND (2) LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES THAT ARISE OUT OF ANY ACT OR OMISSION ON THE PART OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent any such damages are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. This Section 12.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, OR damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)     To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Syndication Agent, or the Issuing Bank under Section 12.03(a) or Section 12.03(b), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Syndication Agent, or the Issuing Bank, 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 the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Syndication Agent, or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

 

(d)     To the extent permitted by Governmental Requirements, the Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Loan Party not to, assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause each Loan Party to waive, 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 whether occurring on, prior to or after the Closing Date.

 

(e)     All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable not later than thirty (30) days after 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 any Issuing Bank 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 the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 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 any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in Section 12.04(c)) and, to the extent expressly contemplated herein, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties) 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 (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

 

(A)     the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to any Assignee; provided further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless the Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent with ten (10) Business Days after having received written notice thereof; and

 

(B)     the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender.

 

(ii)     Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)     except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than the lesser of (x) $5,000,000 (and shall be in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) and (y) the aggregate amount of the applicable Commitment or the outstanding Loan, as the case may be, held by the assigning Lender, 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;

 

(B)     each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(C)     the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and the assignor shall have paid (or another Person shall have paid on its behalf) in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent and any Issuing Bank;

 

(D)     the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire;

 

(E)     the assignee must not be a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person), a Defaulting Lender or an Affiliate or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; and

 

(F)     for so long as the Second Lien Debt is outstanding (and without giving effect to any payment of the Second Lien Debt in violation of the terms of this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement), the assignment of all or a portion of a Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement may only be made to an Assignee of the type described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Permitted Reserve Based Facility” as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(iii)     Subject to Section 12.04(b)(iv) and the acceptance and recording thereof, 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 solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Maximum Credit Amount of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In connection with any changes to the Register, if necessary, the Administrative Agent will reflect the revisions on Annex I and, at its election, forward a copy of such revised Annex I to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank 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 and, as required by Section 5.03(g), applicable tax forms (or certifications (taking into account whether the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder and shall have provided the required tax forms and certifications)), the processing and recordation fee referred to in this Section 12.04(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by this 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)     Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than the Borrower, any Affiliate of the Borrower or any natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person)) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (iv) such Lender shall continue to give prompt attention to and process (including, if required, through discussions with Participants) requests for waivers or amendments hereunder. 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 Participant may have consent rights with respect to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clauses (i), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of the proviso to Section 12.02(b) that affects such Participant and for which such Lender would have consent rights. In addition such agreement must provide that the Participant be bound by the provisions of Section 12.03. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01, Section 5.02 and Section 5.03 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 5.03(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.03(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 12.04; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 5.05 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section 12.04 and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.02 or Section 5.03, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 5.04 and Section 5.05 with respect to any Participant. 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. Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the 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, Section 1.163-5 of the proposed United States Treasury Regulations or any applicable temporary or successor regulation 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 central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section 12.04(d) shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender or its registered assigns requiring Notes to facilitate transactions described in this Section 12.04(d) in accordance with Section 2.02(d) or as the Borrower may otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(e)     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 12.04, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if such transfer, assignment or grant would require the Borrower and the other Loan Parties to file a registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the “Blue Sky” laws of any state.

 

Section 12.05     Survival; Revival; Reinstatement.

 

(a)     All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties 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 other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect until Payment in Full. The provisions of Article III, 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 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 Secured 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 Secured Obligations 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, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, take any action requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

 

Section 12.06     Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

 

(a)     This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

(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.

 

(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 fax, facsimile or other similar electronic means 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 obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of Lender, the Borrower or any other Loan Party against any of and all the obligations of Lender, the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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; provided that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation,” no amounts received from, or set off with respect to, any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor. 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; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.02(c) and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders, and (y) such Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, Issuing Bank(s) and their respective Affiliates under this Section 12.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, Issuing Bank(s) or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

Section 12.09     GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(a)     THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)     EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS (AND THE BORROWER SHALL CAUSE EACH LOAN PARTY TO SUBMIT) FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT; PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT WILL PREVENT ANY PARTY FROM BRINGING ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE ANY AWARD OR JUDGMENT OR EXERCISE ANY RIGHT UNDER THE LOAN DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER FORUM IN WHICH JURISDICTION CAN BE ESTABLISHED. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.

 

(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.

 

(d)     EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY agrees that (I) service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 12.01 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto AND (II) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

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 Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all Information (as defined below); provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender from disclosing any such Information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Issuing Bank, any other Lender or any Affiliate thereof, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with the provisions of this Section 12.11, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any direct or indirect counterparty to any Swap Agreement (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates (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 in compliance with the policies of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender), (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Governmental Requirement, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been publicly disclosed other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (j) if agreed by the Borrower in its sole discretion, to any other Person. “Information” means all information received from Parent, the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries relating to the Parent, the Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by Parent, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry. 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     Interest Rate Limitation. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, it is agreed as follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Loans or Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (b) in the event that the maturity of the Loans or Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.12 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.12. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

Section 12.13     Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements. The benefit of the Security Instruments and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Collateral securing the Secured Obligations shall also extend to and be available to the Secured Swap Providers in respect of the Secured Swap Agreements as set forth herein. Except as set forth in Section 12.02(b)(vi), no Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Swap Agreements.

 

Section 12.14     No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans and any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend Letters of Credit hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person (including any other Loan Party 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, Issuing Bank or Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries.

 

Section 12.15     EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties is intended to be or has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether the Credit Parties have advised or are advising the Loan Parties on other matters, and the relationship between the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith and therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor, (b) the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, have an arm’s length business relationship that does not directly or indirectly give rise to, nor do the Loan Parties rely on, any fiduciary duty to the Loan Parties or their affiliates on the part of the Credit Parties, (c) the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and the Loan Parties understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (d) the Loan Parties have been advised that the Credit Parties are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties’ interests and that the Credit Parties have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Loan Parties, (e) the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent the Loan Parties have deemed appropriate in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (f) each Credit Party has been, is, and will be acting solely as a principal and, except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by it and the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Loan Parties, any of their affiliates or any other Person, (g) none of the Credit Parties has any obligation to the Loan Parties or their affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except those obligations expressly set forth herein or therein or in any other express writing executed and delivered by such Credit Party and the Loan Parties or any such affiliate and (h) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Credit Parties or among the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties. 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 12.16     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 “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and other Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and other Loan Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

Section 12.17     Flood Insurance Provisions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is hereby encumbered by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

Section 12.18     Releases of Guarantors and Collateral.

 

(a)     Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, and by accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each of the Secured Swap Providers and Secured Cash Management Banks, irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to take the following actions, and the Administrative Agent hereby agrees to take such actions at the request of the Borrower (at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense): (a) release any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, under any Loan Document (i) upon Payment in Full, (ii) that is Disposed of or to be Disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted under the Loan Documents, (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 12.02 or (iv) that is required to be released pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement; (b) to subordinate any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien permitted by Section 9.03(c); and (c) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under any Loan Documents if such Person (i) ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or (ii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 12.02.

 

(b)     Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Majority Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant to Section 11.10 or this Section 12.18.

 

(c)     In connection with any release of any Guarantor or release or subordination of any Liens in any portion of the Collateral, in each case, in accordance with this Section 12.18, the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower, shall promptly execute and deliver to the Borrower all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable to evidence the release of the applicable Liens in such portion of the Collateral, to subordinate its interest in such portion of the Collateral or release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent may request that the Borrower provide, and may conclusively rely on, without further inquiry, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that (x) such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) no Guarantor or Collateral, as applicable, other than the Guarantor or Collateral, as applicable, required to be released is being released.

 

Section 12.19     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)     the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b)      the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)     a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)     conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)     the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

Section 12.20     Effect of Amendment and Restatement.

 

(a)     This Agreement does not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence repayment or termination of any such obligations and liabilities.

 

(b)     On the Closing Date,

 

(i)     each Commitment (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be continued under this Agreement and not novated;

 

(ii)     this Agreement, each of the other Loan Documents and all other ancillary documents executed in connection herewith and therewith shall supersede and replace in their entirety the Existing Credit Agreement, each other Loan Document (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and all ancillary documents executed in connection therewith and all such superseded agreements and ancillary documents shall be of no further force and effect, except for provisions thereof that by their terms survive termination of such agreements and ancillary documents;

 

(iii)     the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Liens created by the Mortgages (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and the Security Instruments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall be carried forward and evidenced by the Mortgages and Security Instruments and have not been released or impaired in any way; and

 

(iv)     JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. will cease to be the Issuing Bank.

 

(c)     For avoidance of doubt, all participations and other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Closing Date shall continue to constitute participations, and other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under this Agreement.  It is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement amends, restates and supersedes in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and re-evidences the obligations of the Borrower and the Loan Parties outstanding thereunder.

 

(d)     Each party hereto hereby waives any requirements for notice and consent required to give effect to such reallocations referenced in the foregoing Section 12.20(c) and in Section 12.21(a).

 

(e)     the Lenders hereby authorize and direct JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (in such capacity “JPMorgan Chase”) to execute and deliver such instruments and documents as JPMorgan Chase deems appropriate to assign and transfer any and all collateral under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.21     Closing Date Maximum Credit Amount and Applicable Percentage; Acknowledgment and Agreement of Exiting Lenders.

 

(a)     On the Closing Date, each Lender agrees that its Maximum Credit Amount and Applicable Percentage will reflect the amounts set forth on Annex I and, with respect to the Exiting Lender, the Exiting Lender’s Commitment (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall be terminated and the Exiting Lender shall have no Commitment under this Agreement.

 

(b)     JPMorgan Chase hereby notifies the Borrower and the Exiting Lender that it has resigned as Administrative Agent (as such term is used in the Existing Credit Agreement) under the Existing Credit Agreement effective on the Closing Date.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, it is a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement that JPMorgan Chase and the Exiting Lender (or JPMorgan Chase on behalf of the Exiting Lender) shall have been paid all amounts owing to JPMorgan Chase and to the Exiting Lender under or in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents, including without limitation, all amounts provided in the letter dated May 14, 2019 between the Borrower and JPMorgan Chase.

 

(d)     The Exiting Lender is executing this Agreement solely for the purpose of acknowledging and agreeing to the provisions of Section 12.21. After the Closing Date, the Exiting Lender is not a Lender under the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 12.22     Existing Credit Agreement. This Agreement amends and restates the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety. On the date of the initial funding of Loans hereunder, all amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be paid in full with the proceeds of such Loans and the “Commitments” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) thereunder shall be terminated. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a discharge, extinguishment or novation of the “Secured Obligations” of the Loan Parties outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, which Secured Obligations shall remain outstanding under this Agreement after the date hereof as “Loans”, except as expressly modified hereby or by instruments executed concurrently with this Agreement. All Secured Obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be secured by the liens and security interests evidenced under the Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), as amended hereby and by any reaffirmation of such Loan Documents.

 

Section 12.23     Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) agrees that it will be bound by the terms thereof as if such Lender was a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) authorizes and instructs Administrative Agent to, on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Administrative Agent and on behalf of such Lender. Each Lender (and each Person that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 12.04(b)) hereby authorizes and directs Administrative Agent to, on the Second Lien Debt Issuance Date, enter into the Intercreditor Agreement on behalf of such Lender and agrees that the Administrative Agent, may take such actions as is contemplated by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

 

 

The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

PARENT:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

 

   
 

By:/s/ Michael J. Killelea

 

Name:Michael J. Killelea

 

Title:Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporation Secretary

   

 

 

 

 

BORROWER:

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

   
   
 

By:/s/ Michael J. Killelea

 

Name:Michael J. Killelea

 

Title:Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporation Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNTRUST BANK, as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, and a Lender

   
   
   
 

By:/s/ John Kovarik

 

Name:John Kovarik

 

Title:Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

   
   
   
 

By:/s/ Katy Berkemeyer

 

Name:Katy Berkemeyer

 

Title:Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

CIT BANK, N.A.

   
   
   
 

By:/s/ John Feeley

 

Name:John Feeley

 

Title:Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CATHAY BANK

   
   
   
 

By:/s/ Dale T. Wilson

 

Name:Dale T/ Wilson

 

Title:Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXITING LENDER (SIGNING SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO SECTION 12.21):

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Exiting Lender

   
   
 

By:/s/ Darren M. Vanek

 

Name:Darren M. Vanek

 

Title:Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

ANNEX I
LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS

Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts

 

Name of Lender

Applicable Percentage

Applicable Percentage of Initial Borrowing Base

Maximum Credit Amount

SunTrust Bank

43.4782609%

$50,000,000.00

$217,391,304.35

Royal Bank of Canada

30.4347826%

$35,000,000.00

$152,173,913.04

CIT Bank, N.A.

17.3913043%

$20,000,000.00

$86,956,521.74

Cathay Bank

8.6956522%

$10,000,000.00

$43,478,260.87

TOTAL:

100.00000000%

$115,000,000.00

$500,000,000.00

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

Note purchase agreement

 

 

THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 14, 2019, by and among GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Subsidiary Guarantor”) and certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager (“FAV”) (each such fund or account, together with its successors and assigns, a “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, each Purchaser has agreed to purchase a principal amount, as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”) under the Indenture, in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, to be entered into on the Closing Date (defined below) by and among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Purchaser (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”) on the terms and conditions set forth therein and herein;

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to memorialize certain of the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations in respect of the purchase of the Notes;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.      DEFINITIONS.

 

Section 1.01.     Meanings. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture attached as Exhibit A hereto.

 

 

2.      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 2.01.     Closing Date. On the Closing Date each Purchaser shall purchase the principal amount of Notes at the purchase price as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto next to such Purchaser’s name. The Purchasers shall not be obligated to purchase the Notes until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived by FAV, in FAV’s sole discretion) (such date, the “Closing Date”):

 

(a)     The Purchasers shall have received all commitment, facility and agency fees and all other fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of the reasonable legal fees and expenses of DLA Piper LLP (US), special counsel to the Purchasers, and all other out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder.

 

(b)     FAV shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of the Company’s board of directors and the sole member of the Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the authorization of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver the Note Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (A) who are authorized to sign the Note Documents to which the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party and (B) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with the Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, certified as being true and complete. The Purchaser may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Trustee receives notice in writing from the Company to the contrary.

 

(c)     FAV shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(d)     FAV shall have received a compliance certificate, which shall be substantially in the form described in Section 7.04 of the Indenture, duly and properly executed by an officer of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date.

 

(e)     The Indenture, in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, the Intercreditor Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto, and the other Note Documents, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and FAV, shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor (in such number of counterparts as may be requested by FAV), the Trustee and the Purchasers, and the 144A Global Note, in the form attached to the Indenture, shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and authenticated by the Trustee and shall have been made eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of The Depositary Trust Company.

 

(f)     The Purchasers shall have received an opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Company and opinions of Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A., Mississippi counsel, and Cook, Young, King & Galloway, Louisiana counsel for the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, all such opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers and the Trustee.

 

(g)     The Trustee shall have received a certificate of insurance coverage of the Company evidencing that the Company is carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.07 of the Indenture.

 

(h)     FAV shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor for each jurisdiction requested by the Purchaser other than those being released on or prior to the Closing Date or Liens permitted by Section 7.24 of the Indenture.

 

(i)     After giving effect to the issuance of Notes on the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have no outstanding Indebtedness, contingent liabilities or preferred stock, except (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Indenture and the other Note Documents and (b) such other existing Indebtedness and contingent liabilities that are permitted under the Indenture.

 

(j)     The Purchasers shall have received such other documents as FAV or DLA Piper LLP (US) may reasonably request.

 

(k)     No Default under the Indenture or this Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor shall have occurred and be continuing or result from the closing of the Transactions.

 

(l)     No event, development or circumstance has occurred or shall then exist that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)     The Purchasers shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company dated as of the Closing Date certifying that the representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of the date hereof.

 

(n)     The representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in the Indenture and in the other Note Documents, as applicable, shall be true and correct.

 

(o)     Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have received duly executed agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to have “control” (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC, as such term relates to Investment Property (as defined in the UCC), or as used in Section 9-104(a) of the UCC as such term relates to deposit accounts) of the deposit accounts of the Company and the Subsidiaries maintained at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

(p)     The First Lien Credit Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to FAV and shall have been executed and delivered on the date hereof.

 

(q)     The Purchasers shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company certifying that the Asset Coverage Ratio as of the Closing Date is not less than 1.5 to 1.0.

 

(r)     The Purchasers shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA Patriot Act, in each case to the extent requested at least five Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(s)     The Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Existing Notes”) shall have been fully redeemed in accordance with the Indenture dated as of October 12, 2016, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent (the “Existing Notes Indenture”), and FAV shall have confirmed in writing to the Company (email being sufficient) receipt by those funds and accounts managed by FAV that hold positions in the Existing Notes (the
“FAV Holders”) of the full amount of the redemption payment provided under the Existing Notes Indenture attributable to the Existing Notes held by the FAV Holders.

 

3.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor represent and warrant to the Purchasers that on the date hereof:

 

Section 3.01.     Organization; Powers.

 

Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, 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, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.02.     Authority; Enforceability.

 

The Transactions are within the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action (including, without limitation, any action required to be taken by any class of directors of the Company or any other Person, whether interested or disinterested, in order to ensure the due authorization of the Transactions). Each Note Document to which the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Subsidiary 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 3.03.     Approvals; No Conflicts.

 

The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including shareholders or any class of directors, whether interested or disinterested, of the Company or any other Person), nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Note Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, other than (i) the recording and filing of the Security Documents as required by the Indenture, (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause a Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of the Note Documents and (iii) the filing of any document with the Commission, (b) do not violate any applicable law or regulation in any material respect or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company, except any such violation that has been waived prior to the Closing Date, or the Subsidiary Guarantor or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the Liens created by the Note Documents).

 

Section 3.04.     Financial Condition; Independent Accountants; No Material Adverse Change.

 

(a)     The historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, included in the reports filed with the Commission comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the results of their operations for the periods then ended applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of unaudited financial statements (such financial information, the “Financial Statements”).

 

(b)     Moss Adams LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included in the reports filed with the Commission, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

 

(c)     Since December 31, 2018, there has been no event, development or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor has on the date hereof any material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) or any material 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 as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements.

 

Section 3.05.     Litigation.

 

Except as set forth on Schedule 3.05 hereto, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve any Note Document or the Transactions.

 

Section 3.06.     Environmental Matters.

 

Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 3.06 hereto or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are, and within all applicable statute of limitation periods have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

(b)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have obtained all Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their Properties, with all such Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor have received any written notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such existing Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing Environmental Permit will be protested or denied.

 

(c)     There are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective Properties or as a result of any operations at such Properties.

 

(d)     None of the Properties of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor contain or have contained any: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos-containing materials; (iii) landfills or dumps; (iv) hazardous waste management units as defined pursuant to RCRA or any comparable state law; or (v) sites on or nominated for the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or any state remedial priority list promulgated or published pursuant to any comparable state law.

 

(e)     There has been no Release or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties, there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals, or monitorings of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws at such Properties and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of such Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real Property.

 

(f)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real Properties offsite the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties and, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice.

 

(g)     There has been no exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of any of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Properties that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation.

 

(h)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have provided to the Purchaser complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters relating to any alleged or potential non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws that are in any of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

 

Section 3.07.     Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults.

 

(a)     Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor is 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 governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the 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.

 

(b)     No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 3.08.     Investment Company Act.

 

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor 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 3.09.     Taxes.

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have each 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 (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of Taxes and other governmental charges are, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, adequate. No Tax Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Company, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax or other such governmental charge.

 

Section 3.10.     ERISA.

 

(a)     The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and each ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan.

 

(b)     Each Plan is, and has been, established and maintained in substantial compliance with its terms, ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.

 

(c)     No act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) 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.

 

(d)     Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof.

 

(e)     Neither the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without any material liability.

 

(f)     Neither the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

 

Section 3.11.     Disclosure; No Material Misstatements.

 

(a)      None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of the Indenture or any other Note Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Note Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Company represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time and it further being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties and production and cost estimates contained in each reserve report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.

 

(b)      Since December 31, 2018, the documents filed by the Company with the Commission, when they were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

Section 3.12.     Insurance.

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have, (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk (including, without limitation, public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee has been named as an additional insured in respect of such liability insurance policies and the Trustee has been named as loss payee with respect to Property loss insurance.

 

Section 3.13.     Restriction on Liens.

 

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than the Note Documents, any Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted by clause (10) of the definition of Permitted Liens and the First Lien Credit Agreement), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Trustee and the Purchaser on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Indebtedness in respect of the Notes and the Note Documents.

 

Section 3.14.     Subsidiaries.

 

All of the Subsidiaries of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, are set forth on Schedule 3.14 hereto or as may be disclosed in writing to the Trustee (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Purchaser), which shall be deemed a supplement to Schedule 3.14 hereto. All Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3.14 hereto, if any, are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.15.     Location of Business and Offices.

 

The Company’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Company as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Corporation; and the organizational identification number of the Company in its jurisdiction of organization is 2675735. The Subsidiary Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization is Louisiana; the name of the Subsidiary Guarantor as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C.; and the organizational identification number of the Subsidiary Guarantor in its jurisdiction of organization is 34719938K. The Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantor’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 16.02 of the Indenture.

 

Section 3.16.     Properties; Titles, Etc.

 

(a)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have good and defensible title to the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently prepared reserve report and good title to all their personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 7.24 of the Indenture. On the date hereof all of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are Mortgaged Properties. After giving full effect to any Permitted Liens, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor own the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently prepared reserve report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently prepared reserve report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s net revenue interest in such Property.

 

(b)     All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)     The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor to conduct their businesses in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

 

(d)     All of the Properties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

 

(e)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor own, or are licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to their businesses, and the use thereof by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in its businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.17.     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 of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental 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 of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no Oil and Gas Property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor 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) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental 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 Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor 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 Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, in a manner consistent with the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 3.17 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

Section 3.18.     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 Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor on a consolidated basis, (b) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Indebtedness beyond its ability to pay such Indebtedness (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor 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 Indebtedness becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor 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 3.19.     Sanctions Laws and Regulations.

 

(a)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor, or any directors or officers of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, any brokers or other agents acting at the direction of the foregoing in connection with the Indenture or any other Note Document:

 

(i)     is (A) the target of any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (B) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country; or

 

(ii)     is a Designated Person.

 

(b)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor will, directly or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Notes, 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 Notes, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).

 

(c)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, such continued compliance with Sanctions.

 

Section 3.20.     Foreign Corrupt Practices.

 

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor, nor, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, any director, officer, agent, employee or Subsidiary of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of the FCPA, including without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other Property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, such continued compliance therewith.

 

Section 3.21.     Money Laundering Laws; Embargoed Persons.

 

(a)     The operations of each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor are and have been conducted by such Person at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar laws, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency of the United States (including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), and the Executive Order) (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened in writing.

 

(b)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is, and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Notes is, an Embargoed Person.

 

(c)     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantor is, and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantor, none of their respective officers or directors that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Notes (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any Property or interests in Property blocked pursuant to any Money Laundering Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money Laundering Law.

 

Section 3.22     Federal Reserve Regulations; Exchange Act.

 

(a)     None of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock.

 

(b)     No portion of the proceeds of any Note shall be used in any manner whether directly or indirectly, that causes or could reasonably be expected to cause, such Note or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

 

4.      Note document. This Agreement shall constitute a Note Document for all purposes of the Notes and the other Note Documents.

 

5.      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of New York.

 

6.      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

7.      AUTHORITY. Each of the undersigned represent that he or she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the respective party.

 

8.      BINDING EFFECT; SURVIVAL. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantor, the Purchaser and their respective successors and permitted assigns pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; provided that the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor may not assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.

 

9.      AMENDMENTS. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Sections 12.01 and 12.02 of the Indenture.

 

10.      SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, such provision shall be deemed severable and the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

 

11.      INTEGRATION. This Agreement contains a final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall constitute the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings. There are no representations, agreements, arrangements or understandings, oral or written, among the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement except as are fully expressed herein.

 

12.      SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASERS. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations of the Purchasers under this Agreement shall be several, not joint, with respect to each Purchaser.

 

 

 

[Signature Page Follows.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and the year first-above written.

 

 

SUBSIDIARY

GUARANTOR:

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Michael J. Killelea

Name:Michael J. Killelea
Title:Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

COMPANY:

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

By: /s/ Michael J. Killelea

Name:Michael J. Killelea
Title:Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

PURCHASER:

 

Funds and Accounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto

 

By: Franklin Advisers, Inc., as Investment Manager

 

By: /s/ Glenn Voyles                           

Name: Glenn Voyles

Title:     Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

Purchaser

Principal Amount

Purchase Price

Franklin High Income Trust-Franklin High Income Fund

$11,500,000

$11,500,000

FT Opportunistic Distressed Fund, Ltd.

$500,000

$500,000

Total

$12,000,000

$12,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.05

 

Litigation

 

None.

 

Schedule 3.06

 

Environmental Matters

None.

 

Schedule 3.14

 

Subsidiaries

 

1.     Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana Limited Liability Company and wholly owned subsidiary of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, as Issuer

 

the Subsidiary Guarantor named herein

 

and

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association,

 

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

 

_________________________

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of May [ ], 2019

_________________________

 

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

_________________________

 

Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between SunTrust Bank, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Second Lien Agent (as defined therein) and acknowledged and agreed by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. and certain of its subsidiaries (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”). Each holder of Second Lien Obligations (as defined therein), by its acceptance of such Second Lien Obligations i) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, ii) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and iii) authorizes and instructs the Second Lien Agent (as defined therein) on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party (as defined therein) to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Second Lien Agent on behalf of such Second Lien Secured Parties. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the lenders under the Priority Lien Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) to extend credit to Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. and such lenders are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

ARTICLE One DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE                    1

Section 1.01.               Definitions                                                                                          1

Section 1.02.               Other Definitions                                                                                42

Section 1.03.               Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act                           43

Section 1.04.               Rules of Construction                                                                         43

ARTICLE Two THE NOTES                                                                                                44

Section 2.01.               Form And Dating                                                                               44

Section 2.02.               Execution and Authentication                                                            45

Section 2.03.               Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes                                  45

Section 2.04.               Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent                                46

Section 2.05.               Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust                                               46

Section 2.06.               Holder Lists                                                                                        47

Section 2.07.               Transfer and Exchange                                                                       47

Section 2.08.               Replacement Notes                                                                             59

Section 2.09.               Outstanding Notes                                                                              59

Section 2.10.               Treasury Notes                                                                                    60

Section 2.11.               [Reserved].                                                                                          60

Section 2.12.               Cancellation                                                                                        60

Section 2.13.               Defaulted Interest                                                                               60

Section 2.14.               PIK Interest                                                                                        60

Section 2.15.               CUSIP Numbers                                                                                 61

Section 2.16.               Use of Proceeds                                                                                  61

ARTICLE Three REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT                                                     62

Section 3.01.               Notice to Trustee                                                                                62

Section 3.02.               Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed                                                  62

Section 3.03.               Notice of Redemption                                                                       62

Section 3.04.               Effect of Notice of Redemption                                                        63

Section 3.05.               Deposit of Redemption Price                                                            63

Section 3.06.               Notes Redeemed in Part                                                                     64

Section 3.07.               Optional Redemption                                                                         64

Section 3.08.               Mandatory Redemption                                                                      64

Section 3.09.               Application of Trust Money                                                               66

ARTICLE FOUR CONVERSION                                                                                         66

Section 4.01.               Conversion Privilege                                                                           66

Section 4.02.               Conversion Procedure                                                                         67

Section 4.03.               Company to Provide Stock                                                                 68

Section 4.04.               Conversion Price Adjustment                                                             69

Section 4.05.               Notice of Adjustment                                                                         71

Section 4.06.               Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash, Common Stock or Combination Thereof                71

Section 4.07.               Effect of Reclassifications, Business Combinations, Asset Sales and Corporate Events                           72

Section 4.08.               Trustee’s Disclaimer                                                                            73

Section 4.09.               Conversion Limitation                                                                        73

ARTICLE FIVE [Reserved].                                                                                                 74

ARTICLE SIX [Reserved].                                                                                                    74

ARTICLE SEVEN COVENANTS                                                                                       74

Section 7.01.               Payment of Notes                                                                               74

Section 7.02.               Maintenance of Office or Agency                                                      75

Section 7.03.               Reports                                                                                                75

Section 7.04.               Compliance Certificate                                                                       76

Section 7.05.               Taxes                                                                                                   76

Section 7.06.               Stay, Extension and Usury Laws                                                        77

Section 7.07.               Insurance                                                                                             77

Section 7.08.               Further Assurances                                                                             77

Section 7.09.               [Reserved].                                                                                          78

Section 7.10.               Certificate of Financial Officer – Asset Coverage                             78

Section 7.11.               [Reserved]                                                                                           78

Section 7.12.               Existence; Conduct of Business                                                         78

Section 7.13.               Operation and Maintenance of Properties                                          78

Section 7.14.               Compliance with Laws                                                                       78

Section 7.15.               Environmental Matters                                                                       79

Section 7.16.               ERISA Compliance                                                                            79

Section 7.17.               Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws                                              80

Section 7.18.               Compliance with FCPA                                                                      80

Section 7.19.               Use of Proceeds                                                                                  80

Section 7.20.               ERISA Compliance                                                                            81

Section 7.21.               [Reserved].                                                                                          81

Section 7.22.               Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock                               81

Section 7.23.               Limitation on Restricted Payments                                                    85

Section 7.24.               Limitation on Liens                                                                             91

Section 7.25.               Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries          91

Section 7.26.               Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock                          94

Section 7.27.               Limitation on Affiliate Transactions                                                   95

Section 7.28.               Future Subsidiary Guarantors                                                             97

Section 7.29.               Business Activities                                                                              97

Section 7.30.               Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control                                97

Section 7.31.               Asset Coverage Ratio                                                                         100

Section 7.32.               [Reserved]                                                                                           100

Section 7.33.               Termination of Covenants                                                                  100

ARTICLE EIGHT SUCCESSORS                                                                                       101

Section 8.01.               Merger and Consolidation                                                                  101

ARTICLE NINE DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES                                                                 103

Section 9.01.               Events of Default                                                                               103

Section 9.02.               Acceleration                                                                                        105

Section 9.03.               Other Remedies                                                                                  106

Section 9.04.               Waiver of Past Defaults                                                                      106

Section 9.05.               Control by Majority                                                                            107

Section 9.06.               Limitation on Suits                                                                             107

Section 9.07.               Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment                               107

Section 9.08.               Collection Suit by Trustee                                                                  107

Section 9.09.               Trustee May File Proofs of Claim                                                       108

Section 9.10.               Priorities                                                                                              108

Section 9.11.               Undertaking for Costs                                                                          109

ARTICLE TEN TRUSTEE                                                                                                    109

Section 10.01.            Duties of Trustee                                                                                109

Section 10.02.            Certain Rights of Trustee                                                                    110

Section 10.03.            Individual Rights of Trustee                                                               112

Section 10.04.            Trustee’s Disclaimer                                                                            112

Section 10.05.            Notice of Default                                                                                112

Section 10.06.            Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes                                       112

Section 10.07.            Compensation and Indemnity                                                              113

Section 10.08.            Replacement of Trustee                                                                      114

Section 10.09.            Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc                                                       115

Section 10.10.            Eligibility; Disqualification                                                                 115

Section 10.11.            Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company                          115

Section 10.12.            Trustee in Other Capacities                                                                 115

Section 10.13.            Credit Bid                                                                                           115

ARTICLE ELEVEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE                       116

Section 11.01.            Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance            116

Section 11.02.            Legal Defeasance and Discharge                                                        116

Section 11.03.            Covenant Defeasance                                                                         117

Section 11.04.            Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance                117

Section 11.05.            Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    119

Section 11.06.            Repayment to the Company                                                               119

Section 11.07.            Reinstatement                                                                                     119

ARTICLE TWELVE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER                           120

Section 12.01.            Without Consent of Holders of Notes                                               120

Section 12.02.            With Consent of Holders of Notes                                                     121

Section 12.03.            Compliance with Trust Indenture Act                                                123

Section 12.04.            Revocation and Effect of Consents                                                   123

Section 12.05.            Notation on or Exchange of Notes                                                     123

Section 12.06.            Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc                                                      123

ARTICLE THIRTEEN SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES                                                      124

Section 13.01.            Subsidiary Guarantee                                                                          124

Section 13.02.            Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability                                     125

Section 13.03.            Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee                             125

Section 13.04.            Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors                                                     126

ARTICLE FOURTEEN COLLATERAL AND SECURITY                                                126

Section 14.01.            The Collateral Agent                                                                           126

Section 14.02.            Authority Of Collateral Agent To Release Collateral And Liens      131

Section 14.03.            Security Documents                                                                            131

Section 14.04.            Intercreditor Agreement                                                                     133

Section 14.05.            Release of Collateral                                                                           133

Section 14.06.            Form and Sufficiency of Release                                                       134

Section 14.07.            After-Acquired Property                                                                    135

ARTICLE FIFTEEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE                                              135

Section 15.01.            Satisfaction and Discharge                                                                 135

Section 15.02.            Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    136

Section 15.03.            Repayment to the Company                                                               136

Section 15.04.            Reinstatement                                                                                     137

ARTICLE SIXTEEN MISCELLANEOUS                                                                          137

Section 16.01.            No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements                               137

Section 16.02.            Notices                                                                                                137

Section 16.03.            Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes  138

Section 16.04.            Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent                          138

Section 16.05.            Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion                                  138

Section 16.06.            Rules by Trustee and Agents                                                              139

Section 16.07.            No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders           139

Section 16.08.            Governing Law                                                                                   139

Section 16.09.            Trust Indenture Act Controls                                                             140

Section 16.10.            Successors                                                                                           140

Section 16.11.            Severability                                                                                         140

Section 16.12.            Counterpart Originals                                                                         140

Section 16.13.            Acts of Holders                                                                                  140

Section 16.14.            Benefit of Indenture                                                                           142

Section 16.15.            Table of Contents, Headings, Etc                                                       142

 

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A          Form of Note

Exhibit B-1      Form of Certificate of Transfer

Exhibit B-2      Form of Certificate from Acquiring Institutional Accredited Investors

Exhibit C          Form of Certificate of Exchange

Exhibit D          Form of Notation of Guarantee

Exhibit E          Form of Guarantor Supplemental Indenture

 

 

   

Schedule 7.27

Affiliate Transactions

 

INDENTURE (this “Indenture”), dated as of May [ ], 2019, by and between Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the initial Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and Collateral Agent (the “Collateral Agent”).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

A.     The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (as further defined herein, the “Notes”):

 

ARTICLE One
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.     Definitions.

 

144A Global Note” means one or more permanent global Notes in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, representing Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes transferred or exchanged in reliance on Rule 144A and any PIK Interest paid in respect of such Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes.

 

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (i) of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.

 

Additional Assets” means:

 

(1)     any properties or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(2)     the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(3)     Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

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

 

(a)     the sum of:

 

(1)     discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by the Company in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from

 

(A)     estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and

 

(B)     estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities, which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions (including the impact to proved reserves and future net revenues from estimated development costs incurred and the accretion of discount since such year end), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from

 

(C)     estimated proved oil and gas reserves produced or disposed of since such year end, and

 

(D)     estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated on a pre-tax basis and in accordance with Commission guidelines,

 

in the case of clauses (A) through (D) utilizing prices and costs calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines as of such year end; provided, however, that in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers;

 

(2)     the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements;

 

(3)     the Net Working Capital of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

 

(4)     the greater of

 

(A)     the net book value of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and

 

(B)     the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements; provided, however that, if no such appraisal has been performed the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal and only clause (4)(A) of this definition shall apply;

 

minus

 

(b)     the sum of:

 

(1)     Minority Interests;

 

(2)     any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly balance sheet (to the extent not deducted in calculating Net Working Capital of the Company in accordance with clause (a)(3) above of this definition);

 

(3)     to the extent included in (a)(1) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines (utilizing prices and costs calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines as of such year end), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

(4)     to the extent included in (a)(1) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(1) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

 

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method of accounting to the full cost or a similar method, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

 

Affiliate” of any specified Person means, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

After Acquired Property” means any and all assets or property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Issue Date that is not automatically subject to a perfected security interest under the Collateral Agreement and that constitutes Collateral.

 

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

 

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

 

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or any similar United States federal or state law or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession to or change in any such law.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

Beneficial Ownership Limitation” means 9.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Stock as set forth in the applicable Conversion Notice.

 

Bloomberg” means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person that is a corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof or as to any Person that is not a corporation, the board of managers or such other individual or group serving a similar function.

 

Board Resolution” means, with respect to a Board of Directors, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership that has no such officers, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a general partner of such Person, to have been duly adopted by such Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York, Houston, Texas or a place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, units, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty; provided that all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the FASB on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purpose of this Indenture (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations in the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.03.

 

Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1)     securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States (provided, however that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(2)     marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, having a credit rating of “A” (or the equivalent thereof) or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

(3)     certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any commercial bank the short-term deposit of which is rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P, or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, and having combined capital and surplus in excess of $100.0 million;

 

(4)     repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

 

(5)     commercial paper rated at the time of acquisition thereof at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P or “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named Rating Agencies cease publishing ratings of investments, and in any case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(6)     interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests 95% or more of its assets in instruments of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

 

Cash Interest” means any interest on the Notes payable in cash.

 

Cash Management Obligations” means obligations under any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, automated clearing house fund transfer services, purchase card, electronic funds transfer (including non-card e-payables services) and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.

 

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 $1,000,000.

 

Change of Control” means:

 

(1)     any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) other than as a result of any merger or consolidation in which the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction will, immediately after such transaction, hold or own Voting Stock of the surviving or successor entity or any parent thereof representing a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such entity (for the purposes of this clause (1), such person or group shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any Voting Stock of the Company held by a parent entity, if such person or group Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity);

 

(2)     the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act);

 

(3)     the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) are not Continuing Directors; or

 

(4)     the adoption by the shareholders of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, and its successors.

 

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

 

Closing Price” means, for any security as of any date, the closing price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the closing price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

Collateral” means, at any time, all Property that is, or is required under the terms of this Indenture to be, subject to the Liens created by the Security Documents to secure the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

Collateral Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Security Documents (together with its successors in such capacity).

 

Collateral Agreement” means the second lien collateral agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto from time to time, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, waived, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

Commodity Agreements” means, in respect of any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by such Person that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in Hydrocarbon prices.

 

Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person’s common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock. Unless otherwise specified, “Common Stock” means Common Stock of the Company.

 

Company” means Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Confirmation Order” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

Consolidated Coverage Ratio” means as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements are in existence to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters, provided, however, that:

 

(1)     if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and such proceeds had been applied as of such date;

 

(2)     if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred, repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in clause (1) above) since the beginning of the period, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase, defeasement or other discharge of Indebtedness as if such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase, defeasement or other discharge had occurred on the first day of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving Credit Facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period);

 

(3)     if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has made any sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is such a sale, assignment or other transfer of Property, the Consolidated EBITDAX for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDAX (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDAX (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with or with the proceeds from such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

 

(4)     if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) has made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition (or will have received a contribution) of assets, including any acquisition or contribution of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made under this Indenture, which constitutes all or substantially all of a company, division, operating unit, segment, business, group of related assets or line of business, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition or contribution had occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

(5)     if, since the beginning of such period, any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) made any sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such sale, assignment or other transfer of Property or Investment or acquisition of assets had occurred on the first day of such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company; provided, however that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated EBITDAX, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission); provided, however that the aggregate amount of pro forma expense and cost reductions to be included in calculating Consolidated EBITDAX pursuant to this sentence shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDAX (determined before giving effect to this sentence) for such period. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of the Company, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Company. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.

 

Consolidated EBITDAX” for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following, without duplication and to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)     Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(2)     Consolidated Income Tax Expense;

 

(3)     consolidated depletion and depreciation expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(4)     consolidated amortization expense or asset impairment charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)     other non-cash charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation); and

 

(6)     consolidated exploration and abandonment expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

if applicable for such period; and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto that were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments, (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and (z) other non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDAX in any prior period).

 

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (1) through (6) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person only in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense” means, with respect to any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the total consolidated interest expense (less interest income) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense and without duplication:

 

(1)     interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(2)     amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost (provided, however that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense);

 

(3)     non-cash interest expense (to the extent deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income);

 

(4)     commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

(5)     the interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon;

 

(6)     cash costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements (including amortization of fees); provided, however, that if Interest Rate Agreements result in net cash benefits rather than costs, such benefits shall be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such net benefits are otherwise reflected in Consolidated Net Income;

 

(7)     the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; and

 

(8)     all dividends paid or payable in cash, Cash Equivalents or Indebtedness or accrued during such period on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or on Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries payable to a party other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary,

 

minus, to the extent included above, any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments; provided, however that for the purposes of calculating Consolidated Interest Expense, no effect shall be given to the discount and/or premium resulting from the bifurcation of derivatives under FASB ASC 815 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of Indebtedness to which such Consolidated Interest Expense relates.

 

For the purpose of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio in connection with the Incurrence of any Indebtedness described in clause (d) of the definition of “Indebtedness,” the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall include all interest expense (including any amounts described in clauses (1) through (8) above) relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (d) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the aggregate net income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP and after any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends of such Person; provided, however, that there will not be included (to the extent otherwise included therein) in such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)     any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

(a)     subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3) and (4) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below); and

 

(b)     the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded with cash from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

 

(2)     any net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

 

(a)     subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

 

(b)     the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

 

(3)     any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

 

(4)     any nonrecurring gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses and all related fees and expenses;

 

(5)     the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;

 

(6)     any “ceiling limitation” or other asset impairment writedowns on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or Commission guidelines;

 

(7)     any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations;

 

(8)     income or loss attributable to discontinued operations (including, without limitation, operations disposed of during such period whether or not such operations were classified as discontinued); and

 

(9)     any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards;

 

provided further, for the purposes of calculating Consolidated Net Income, no effect shall be given to the discount and/or premium resulting from the bifurcation of derivatives under FASB ASC 815 and related interpretations as a result of the terms of Indebtedness.

 

Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

 

Conversion Agent” means the office or agency appointed by the Company where Notes may be presented for conversion. The Conversion Agent appointed by the Company shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Note to be converted, with respect to which this determination is being made, and (B) any accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of such Note as at the Conversion Date, if any.

 

Conversion Date” means any date on which any Holder shall convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock.

 

Conversion Price” means $21.33, subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth herein.

 

Conversion Rate” means the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount, which shall be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the then applicable Conversion Price.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 16.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

Credit Facility” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the First Lien Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), capital market transactions or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other lenders and whether provided under the original First Lien Credit Agreement or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

 

Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

 

Current Market Priceon any date in question means, with respect to any adjustment in conversion rights as set forth herein, the average of the daily Closing Prices for the Common Stock for the five consecutive Trading Days selected by the Board of Directors commencing not more than 20 Trading Days before, and ending not later than, the earlier of the date in question and the day before the Ex Date with respect to the transaction requiring such adjustment; provided, however that (i) if any other transaction occurs requiring a prior adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Ex Date for such other transaction falls after the first of the five consecutive Trading Days so selected by the Board of Directors, the Closing Price for each such Trading Day falling prior to the Ex Date for such other transaction shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other transaction and (ii) if any other transaction occurs requiring a subsequent adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Ex Date for such other transaction falls on or before the last of the five consecutive Trading Days so selected by the Board of Directors, the Closing Price for each such Trading Day falling on or after the Ex Date for such other transaction shall be adjusted by dividing such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the Conversion Price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such other transaction.

 

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.07, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04(b) as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Designated Persons” means a person or entity: (i) listed in the annex to, or otherwise the subject of the provisions of, any Executive Order; (ii) named as a “Specially Designated National and Blocked Person” (“SDN”) on the most current list published by OFAC at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list; or (iii) that is otherwise the subject of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations in which an entity or person on the SDN List has 50% or greater ownership interest or that is otherwise controlled by an SDN.

 

Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease, abandonment, or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith and any assignment, termination, close out, or restructuring of any swap agreement outside of the ordinary course of business.

 

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock or upon the happening of any event:

 

(1)     matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

(2)     is convertible or exchangeable for Disqualified Stock or other Indebtedness (excluding Capital Stock which is convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or

 

(3)     is redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock in whole or in part (other than, including at the issuer’s election, solely in exchange for Capital Stock which is not Disqualified Stock),

 

in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date (a) of the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (b) on which there are no Notes outstanding; provided, however that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided further, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (each defined in a substantially similar manner to the corresponding definitions in this Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provide that (i) the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with Sections 7.26 and 7.30 and (ii) such repurchase or redemption will be permitted solely to the extent also permitted in accordance with Section 7.23.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Effective Date” means the date hereof.

 

Embargoed Person” shall mean any party that is (a) a Designated Person or (ii) publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other requirement of law.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is conducting, or at any time has conducted, business, or where any Property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is located, including, 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 Law, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.

 

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

 

Ex Date” means (i) when used with respect to any dividend, distribution or issuance, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Price is obtained without the right to receive such dividend, distribution or issuance, (ii) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective, (iii) when used with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after such tender or exchange offer expires and (iv) when used with respect to any other transaction, the date of consummation of such transaction.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Excluded Assets” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm’s-length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy.

 

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

 

First Lien Administrative Agent” means Suntrust Bank, as “Administrative Agent” under the First Lien Credit Agreement (together with its successors in such capacity).

 

First Lien Credit Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019 among the Company, as parent, the initial Subsidiary Guarantor, as borrower, the First Lien Administrative Agent, and the other lenders parties thereto from time to time, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, amendment and restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided, however that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 7.22).

 

First Lien Secured Indebtedness” means the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Indenture, the amount of any Indebtedness under GAAP with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Capitalized Lease Obligations

 

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as appropriate, issued in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.07(b)(3), 2.07(b)(4), 2.07(d)(1), 2.07(d)(2) or 2.07(d)(3) of this Indenture that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

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.

 

Governmental Requirement” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, rules of common law, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, of any Governmental Authority.

 

Grantors” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

(1)     to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)     entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or any obligation to the extent it is payable only in Capital Stock of the Guarantor that is not Disqualified Stock. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor Subordinated Obligation” means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement.

 

Hazardous Materials” means any substance regulated or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law including: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste, crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, infectious or medical wastes.

 

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement.

 

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Hydrocarbons” means oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

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.

 

Incur” means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for, contingently or otherwise; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms “Incurred” and “Incurrence” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Indebtedness” means,

 

(a)     with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication, whether or not contingent):

 

(1)     the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(2)     the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)     the principal component of all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto except to the extent such reimbursement obligation relates to a trade payable and except to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such obligation is satisfied within 30 days of payment on the letter of credit);

 

(4)     the principal component of all obligations of such Person (other than obligations payable solely in Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock) to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except as described in clause (8) of the penultimate paragraph of this definition of “Indebtedness”), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto to the extent such obligations would appear as a liabilities upon the consolidated balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(5)     Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person to the extent such Capitalized Lease Obligations would appear as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(6)     the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(7)     the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

 

(8)     the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and

 

(9)     to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net Hedging Obligations of such Person (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time);

 

provided, however, that any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, shall not constitute “Indebtedness.”

 

(b)     The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding the preceding, “Indebtedness” shall not include:

 

(1)     Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(2)     any obligation of a Person in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property;

 

(3)     any Hedging Obligations; provided, however that such Agreements are entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company, whether or not accounted for as a hedge in accordance with GAAP) and, in the case of Currency Agreements or Commodity Agreements, such Currency Agreements or Commodity Agreements are designed to offset changes in currency or commodity prices and are entered into in the ordinary course of business and, in the case of Interest Rate Agreements, such Interest Rate Agreements substantially correspond in terms of notional amount, duration and interest rates, as applicable, to Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of this Indenture;

 

(4)     any obligation arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, Guarantees, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the face of the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(5)     any obligation arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of Incurrence;

 

(6)     in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)     all contracts and other obligations, agreements, instruments or arrangements described in clauses (19), (20), (21) or (27)(a) of the definition of “Permitted Liens;” and

 

(8)     accrued expenses and trade payables and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue by 90 days past the invoice or billing date or more or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted.

 

(d)     In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the first paragraph of this definition of “Indebtedness” that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

 

(1)     such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Joint Venture”);

 

(2)     such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture or otherwise liable for all or a portion of the Joint Venture’s liabilities (a “General Partner”); and

 

(3)     there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

 

(a)     the lesser of (i) the net assets of the General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

 

(b)     if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is with recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person,

 

if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent actually paid by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

Initial Notes” means Notes issued on the Issue Date in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) among the Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Holders, and the First Lien Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the “Lenders” under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Interest Payment Date” has the meaning stated in Exhibit A hereto, as applicable.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

 

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit and advances or extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments (excluding any interest in an oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law) issued by, such other Person and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

 

(1)     Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business, not for speculative purposes and in compliance with this Indenture;

 

(2)     endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(3)     an acquisition of assets, Capital Stock or other securities by the Company or a Subsidiary for consideration to the extent such consideration consists of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

 

The amount of any Investment shall not be adjusted for increases or decreases in value, write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

 

For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 7.23:

 

(1)     “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)     the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less,

 

(b)     the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(2)     any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

 

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than:

 

(1)     Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s; and

 

(2)     BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P,

 

or, if either such Rating Agency ceases to make a rating on the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

 

Investment Grade Rating Event” means the first day on which the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from each Rating Agency, and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture.

 

Issue Date” means the first date on which the Notes are issued under this Indenture.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the UCC; provided, however that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of Property or series of related acquisitions of Property that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single acquisition or series of related acquisitions of Property.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under any Note Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Note Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent under any Note Document.

 

Material Disposition” means any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of Property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single Disposition or series of related Dispositions of Property.

 

Minority Interest” means the percentage interest represented by any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Money-Laundering Laws” means, collectively, the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar laws, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency of the United States (including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), and the Executive Order).

 

Moodys” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Mortgaged Property” means any Property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Documents.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any contribution to equity capital, means the cash proceeds of such issuance, sale or contribution net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance, sale or contribution and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

 

Net Working Capital” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness of a Person:

 

(1)     as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise);

 

(2)     no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

(3)     the explicit terms of which provide there is no recourse against any of the assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

Note Documents” means this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Security Documents, the Registration Rights Agreements and the Purchase Agreement.

 

Notes” has the meaning stated in the second paragraph of this Indenture and more particularly means any Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. Except as otherwise specified herein, including Article Four, for all purposes of this Indenture the term “Notes” shall include the Initial Notes and any PIK Interest Notes, all references to “principal amount” of the Notes shall include any increase in the principal amount thereof in respect of PIK Interest paid in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and all such Notes shall be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, directions, waivers, amendments, consents, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

 

Officers Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company.

 

Oil and Gas Business” means:

 

(1)     the business of acquiring, exploring, exploiting, developing, producing, operating and disposing of interests in oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas and other Hydrocarbon, mineral and renewable energy properties or products produced in association with any of the foregoing;

 

(2)     the business of gathering, marketing, distributing, treating, processing, storing, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith and the marketing of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons, minerals and renewable energy obtained from unrelated Persons;

 

(3)     any other related energy business, including power generation and electrical transmission business, directly or indirectly, from oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons, minerals and renewable energy produced substantially from properties in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, participate;

 

(4)     any business relating to oil field sales and service or drilling rigs; and

 

(5)     any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Properties” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness:

 

(1)     of an acquired Person prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of having been acquired and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition; or

 

(2)     of a Person that was merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation,

 

provided, however that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Coverage Ratio test described in Section 7.22(a)(1).

 

Permitted Business Investment” means any Investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties including:

 

(1)     ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests;

 

(2)     Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and

 

(3)     direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment.

 

Permitted Reserve Based Facility” means a reserve based credit facility (a) with lenders holding a majority in principal amount of the commitments thereunder that are (i) commercial bank lenders, (ii) investment banks or (iii) Affiliates of Persons described in clauses (i) and (ii), which, in each case, have experience participating in reserve based credit facilities and (b) which shall contain a borrowing base determined on a basis substantially consistent with customary terms and advance rates for oil and gas reserve based lending practices. For the avoidance of doubt, the First Lien Credit Agreement (including the lenders parties thereto on the date hereof, the methodology for borrowing base determinations and the initial borrowing base determination on May 14, 2019) shall be deemed to be a Permitted Reserve Based Facility.

 

Permitted Holder” means each Person that directly or indirectly owns Voting Stock of the Company on the date hereof and any Affiliate of such Person.

 

Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

(1)     the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)     another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, however that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

 

(3)     cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(4)     receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(5)     payroll, commission, travel, relocation and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6)     loans or advances to employees (other than executive officers) made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(7)     Capital Stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts (x) created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or (y) pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;

 

(8)     any Person as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from a sale, assignment or other transfer of Property that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 7.26;

 

(9)     Commodity Agreements, Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are Incurred in compliance with Section 7.22;

 

(10)     Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 7.22;

 

(11)     Permitted Business Investments;

 

(12)     any Person where such Investment was acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(13)     any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(14)     Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating, and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(15)     Investments in the Notes;

 

(16)     Investments in existence on the Issue Date; and

 

(17)     Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary), together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (17), in an aggregate amount outstanding at the time of such Investment not to exceed the greater of $7.5 million and 1.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (with the Fair Market Value of such Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

 

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)     Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness and related obligations Incurred under Section 7.22(b)(1); provided, however that the collateral agent, trustee or other security representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(2)     pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws, social security or old age pension laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits (which may be secured by a Lien) to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person including letters of credit and bank guarantees required or requested by the United States, any State thereof or any foreign government or any subdivision, department, agency, organization or instrumentality of any of the foregoing in connection with any contract or statute (including lessee or operator obligations under statutes, governmental regulations, contracts or instruments related to the ownership, exploration and production of oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals on State, Federal or foreign lands or waters), or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure indemnity performance, surety or appeal bonds or other similar bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(3)     statutory and contractual Liens of landlords and Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s and repairmen’s Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

 

(4)     Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or claims not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided, however that appropriate reserves, if any, required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

 

(5)     Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(6)     survey exceptions, encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(7)     Liens securing Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture which are not included in the definition of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (c)(3) of the definition thereof;

 

(8)     leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(9)     prejudgment Liens and judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

(10)     Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other payments Incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, improvement or construction of or repairs or additions to, assets or property acquired or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided, however that:

 

(A)     the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and

 

(B)     such Liens are created within 180 days of the later of the acquisition, lease, completion of improvements, construction, repairs or additions or commencement of full operation of the assets or property subject to such Lien and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

 

(11)     Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided, however that:

 

(A)     such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

 

(B)     such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

 

(12)     Liens arising from UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)     Liens (other than for borrowed money) existing on the Issue Date;

 

(14)     Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Subsidiary; provided further that any such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than assets or property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

 

(15)     Liens on property at the time the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than assets or property affixed or appurtenant thereto);

 

(16)     Liens securing the Notes, any increase in principal amount as the result of a PIK Payment and any PIK Interest Notes in respect thereof and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(17)     Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured and that is being refinanced pursuant to Section 7.22(b)(4)(c) of this Indenture; provided, however that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

 

(18)     any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease Obligation or operating lease; provided, however that such Liens do not extend to any property or asset that is not leased property subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligation or operating lease;

 

(19)     Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales, which Liens shall be limited to the property that is the subject of such Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(20)     Liens arising under farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

 

(21)     Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

 

(22)     Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(23)     deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(24)     Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(25)     Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 7.22; provided, however that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

 

(26)     Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(27)     any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens, and easements); or (c) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b);

 

(28)     Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(29)     Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, provided, however, that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness;

 

(30)     Liens arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing Indebtedness so long as such deposit of funds or securities and such decreasing or defeasing of Indebtedness are permitted under Section 7.23;

 

(31)     Liens in favor of collecting or payer banks having a right of setoff, revocation, or charge back with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company on deposit with or in possession of such bank;

 

(32)     Liens on any cash, Cash Equivalents or other securities to secure Cash Management Obligations owing to the banks or other financial entities holding such cash, Cash Equivalents or securities; and

 

(33)     Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time, added together with all other Indebtedness secured by Liens Incurred pursuant to this clause (33), not to exceed $5.0 million.

 

In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a Permitted Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include Liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

 

Per Share Premium Amount” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, (i) the Premium Amount paid as part of such tender or exchange offer divided by (ii) the Post-Tender Offer Number of Common Shares.

 

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

 

Petroleum Industry Standards” means the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.

 

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the six calendar years preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or an ERISA Affiliate.

 

Plan of Reorganization” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

Post-Tender Offer Number of Common Shares” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer (before giving effect to the acquisition of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto) minus the number of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant thereto.

 

Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same Indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Note; and any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same Indebtedness as the lost, destroyed or stolen Note.

 

Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

 

Premium Amount” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, (i) the Tender Consideration paid in such tender or exchange offer minus (ii) the product of the Current Market Price on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer and the number of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such tender or exchange offer.

 

Prepayment Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date (whether voluntary, mandatory or otherwise) the applicable redemption price for such Note as set forth in Section 3.07.

 

Principal Market” means NYSE American, LLC.

 

Prior Lien” means a Lien on any Collateral that has priority (whether by law or pursuant to any agreement) over the Liens of the Security Documents.

 

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(1) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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.

 

Proved Developed Producing Properties” means Oil and Gas Properties which 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 Oil and Gas Properties” means Oil and Gas Properties containing Proved Reserves.

 

Proved Reserves” means reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”; (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves”; or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.

 

Purchase Agreement” means that certain purchase agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

 

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

 

RCRA” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Environmental Laws.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay, extend, prepay, redeem or retire (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, “refinance” and “refinances” and “refinanced” shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor and Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of another Subsidiary Guarantor, but excluding Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor), including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, however, that:

 

(1)     (a) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at least 91 days later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes;

 

(2)     the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(3)     such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced (plus, without duplication, any additional Indebtedness Incurred to pay interest, premiums or defeasance costs required by the instruments governing such existing Indebtedness and fees and expenses Incurred in connection therewith); and

 

(4)     if the Indebtedness being refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being refinanced.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time.

 

Registration Statement” means a registration statement that may be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend, representing Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes transferred or exchanged in reliance on Regulation S and any PIK Interest paid in respect of such Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes.

 

Release” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.

 

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country or territory which is itself or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Indenture, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

Sanctions” means, collectively, any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

Sanctions Laws and Regulations” means any sanctions, prohibitions or requirements imposed by any executive order (an “Executive Order”) or by any sanctions program administered by OFAC.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Security Documents” means the Collateral Agreement, mortgages, deeds of trust and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Company or any other Person in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, as in effect on the Issue Date, measured as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.

 

Subsidiary” of any Person means (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, is, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary (other than in this definition) will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee” means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the Notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees.

 

Subsidiary Guarantors” means Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., as the initial guarantor of the Notes, and any Person that after the Issue Date guarantees the Notes pursuant to Section 7.28 or otherwise, in each case until a successor replaces such Person pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor, in each case until such Person is released from its guarantee of the Notes in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

Tender Consideration” means, with respect to any tender or exchange offer, the aggregate of the Cash plus the Fair Market Value of all non-Cash consideration paid in respect of such tender or exchange offer.

 

Test Date” means (A) each January 1 and July 1 of each year commencing with July 1, 2019 and (B) the date of any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Oil and Gas Properties (and after giving effect thereto, including any change in Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof).

 

Total Proved PV10%” means, as of any date of determination thereof with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties described in the most recently prepared reserve report, the net present value, determined using a discount rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ collective interest in such Oil and Gas Properties during the remaining expected economic lives of such Oil and Gas Properties. Each calculation of such expected future net revenues shall be made by the Company in accordance with the then existing standards of the Society of Petroleum Engineers; provided, however that in any event (a) appropriate deductions shall be made for severance and ad valorem taxes and for operating, gathering, transportation and marketing costs, required for the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) the pricing assumptions used in determining Total Proved PV10% for any Oil and Gas Properties shall be based upon the Strip Price on such date, adjusted in a reasonable manner to reflect the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Commodity Agreements in respect of forecasted production from Proved Developed Producing Properties and (c) the cash-flows derived from the pricing assumptions set forth in clause (b) above shall be further adjusted to account for the historical basis differential in a reasonable manner. The amount of Total Proved PV10% at any time shall be calculated on a pro forma basis for dispositions and acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties consummated since the date of the most recently prepared reserve report (provided, however that, in the case of any such acquisition or disposition, as the case may be, the Company shall have prepared a reserve report evaluating all categories of Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties subject thereto).

 

Total Secured Debt” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Credit Agreement outstanding at such time plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness in respect of the Notes outstanding at such time.

 

Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided, however that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York Time).

 

Transactions” means, with respect to (a) the Company, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Indenture and each other Note Document to which it is a party, the issuance of the Notes, the use of the proceeds thereof, and the grant of Liens by the Company on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Documents and (b) each Subsidiary Guarantor, the execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of each Note Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Indebtedness in respect of the Notes and the other obligations under this Indenture by such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Documents, and the grant of Liens by such Subsidiary Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute.

 

Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, National Association until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect from time to time in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Unrestricted Cash” means cash and cash equivalents that satisfy each of the following criteria: (A) are held in a bank account subject to the “control” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of the Trustee, (B) are not subject to any Lien other than the Liens in respect of the Notes and Permitted Liens described in either clause (1) or clause (11) of the definition thereof and (C) are not held in a restricted account, payroll account, tax account, trust account, pension account, royalty account or other similar type of account.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

(1)     any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided below; and

 

(2)     any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

 

(1)     such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of or have any Investment in, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)     all the Indebtedness of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries shall, at the date of designation, and will at all times thereafter, consist of Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(3)     on the date of such designation, such designation and the Investment of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Subsidiary complies with Section 7.23 of this Indenture;

 

(4)     such Subsidiary is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation:

 

(A)     to subscribe for additional Capital Stock of such Person; or

 

(B)     to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(5)     on the date such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with terms substantially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might have been obtained from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company.

 

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the foregoing conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred as of such date. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 7.22(a)(1) on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation

 

Unsecured Debt” of any Person means Indebtedness that is not secured by a Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter owned by such Person, or on any income or profits therefrom, or any assignment or conveyance of any right to receive income therefrom.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

 

USA Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001).

 

Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Voting Stock” of an entity means all classes of Capital Stock of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of members of such entity’s Board of Directors.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

 

Section 1.02.     Other Definitions.

 

Term

Defined in

Act

Section 16.13

Affiliate Transaction

Asset Coverage Ratio

Section 7.27

Section 7.31

Authentication Order

Section 2.02

Change of Control Offer

Section 7.30

Change of Control Payment Date

Section 7.30

Change of Control Payment

Section 7.30

Conversion Obligation

Section 4.06

Covenant Defeasance

Section 11.03

DTC

Section 2.01

Event of Default

Section 9.01

Excess Proceeds

Section 7.26

Funds in Trust

Section 9.04

IAI

Section 2.01

Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note

Section 2.01

Legal Defeasance

Section 9.02

Paying Agent

Section 2.04

payment default

Section 9.01

Reference Property

Section 7.07

Registrar

Section 2.04

Remedial Work

Section 7.15

Reorganization Event

Section 7.07

Restricted Payments

Section 7.23

Restricted Payments Basket

Section 7.23

Subject Debt

Section 7.26

Successor Company

Section 8.01

 

Section 1.03.     Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

Section 1.04.     Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)     a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)     an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)     words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(d)     references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time;

 

(e)     “or” is not exclusive, and “including” means “including without limitation”, “including but not limited to” or words of similar import; and

 

(f)     the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Indenture in its entirety and not to any particular provision.

 

ARTICLE Two
THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01.     Form And Dating.

 

(a)     General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in registered, global form without interest coupons and only shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or, with respect to PIK Interest Notes, in minimum denominations of $1.00 and any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof).

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b)     Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and PIK Payments. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee, as Custodian, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07.

 

(c)     Institutional Accredited Investor Global Notes. The Notes initially will be, and, except as specified herein, any Notes transferred to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A or an initial resale thereof in reliance on Regulation S to “institutional accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Securities Act) who are not QIBs (“IAIs”) in the United States of America in accordance with the procedures described herein will be issued in the form of a permanent global Note (an “Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note”) deposited with the Trustee, as Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. An Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of an Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as Custodian, as hereinafter provided. The Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note shall contain the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)     Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

Section 2.02.     Execution and Authentication.

 

(a)     One Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

(b)     The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company (an “Authentication Order”) delivered to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date, authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any PIK Interest Notes as a result of a PIK Payment in accordance with Section 2.14 hereof, and increase the principal amount of any Global Note as a result of a PIK Payment. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or PIK Interest Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.08 hereof.

 

(c)     If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

(d)     A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

(e)     The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture shall not exceed $12.0 million plus the amount of any PIK Payments.

 

(f)     The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.03.     Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes.

 

If a Holder of Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 10 Business Days before payment is due, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions to an account in the United States. All other payments on Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company unless the Company elects to make Cash Interest payments by check, or PIK Payments by PIK Interest Notes mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Payments of Cash Interest to the Trustee as Paying Agent, if the Trustee then acts as Paying Agent, with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds for receipt by the Trustee no later than 11:00 a.m. New York Time on such Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and Cash Interest on, Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. The Company will make PIK Payments on Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

 

Section 2.04.     Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent.

 

(a)     The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”), which initially will be the office of the Trustee located at Wilmington Trust, National Association, 15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75248, an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”), which initially will be the office of the Trustee located at 15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75248 and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for conversion (“Conversion Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more additional paying agents or one or more additional conversion agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent (except for purposes of Article Eleven or Fourteen of this Indenture) or Registrar.

 

(b)     The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(c)     The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent.

 

Section 2.05.     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by it for the making of payments in respect of the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any default, upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith to the Trustee all money so held in trust by such Paying Agent. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for such money. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.06.     Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

 

Section 2.07.     Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)     Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may be transferred, as a whole and not in part, by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes only if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and Registrar an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Global Notes shall be so exchangeable. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 or 2.11, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07; however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07 (b) or (c) hereof.

 

(b)     Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either clause (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following clauses, as applicable:

 

(1)     Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend and any Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. Except as may be required by any Applicable Procedures, no written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(1).

 

(2)     All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A)     (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

(B)     (1) if permitted under Section 2.07(a) hereof, a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount at maturity of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof.

 

(3)     Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)     if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

 

(C)     if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them.

 

(4)     Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

 

(B)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests exchanged or transferred pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above.

 

(5)     Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note Prohibited. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)     Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

 

(1)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.07(a) hereof, if any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)     if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (a) thereof;

 

(B)     if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)     if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction (as defined in Section 902(h) of Regulation S) in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)     if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(E)     if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(1) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(2)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.07(a) hereof, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

 

(B)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of any of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(c)(2), the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend in the appropriate principal amount to the Person designated by the holder of such beneficial interest in instructions delivered to the Registrar by the Depositary and the applicable Participant or Indirect Participant on behalf of such holder, and the Trustee shall reduce or cause to be reduced in a corresponding amount pursuant to Section 2.07(h), the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note.

 

(3)     Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(3) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(4) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)     Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(d), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(d).

 

(1)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B)     if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)     if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction (as defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S) in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)     if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(E)     if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them,

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note.

 

(2)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

 

(B)     if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of any of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(d)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased in a corresponding amount the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes;

 

(4)     Transfer or Exchange of Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited. An Unrestricted Definitive Note may not be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(5)     Issuance of Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so exchanged or transferred.

 

(e)     Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(e).

 

(1)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)     if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(C)     if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; and

 

(D)     if such beneficial interest is transferred to an IAI, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, a certificate from the transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto required thereby, and, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, an opinion of counsel, certificate and/or information satisfactory to each of them.

 

(2)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and a letter of representations from the Holder to the effect that the Private Placement Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, together with any other certifications that the Company may reasonably request from the Holder; or

 

(B)     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof, and any opinions of counsel or certifications as the Company may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the clauses of this Section 2.07(e)(2), the Trustee shall cancel the prior Restricted Definitive Note and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate aggregate principal amount to the Person designated by the Holder of such prior Restricted Definitive Note in instructions delivered to the Registrar by such Holder.

 

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f)     [Reserved].

 

(g)     Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(1)     Private Placement Legend. Except as permitted below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, INCLUDING (X) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (Y) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRASNACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (Z) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.07 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) (and any note not required by law to have such a legend), shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. In addition, the foregoing legend may be adjusted for future issuances in accordance with applicable law.

 

In addition, the foregoing legend may be adjusted for future issuances in accordance with applicable law.

 

(2)     Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.

 

(3)     Common Stock Legend. Except as permitted below, any Common Stock issued pursuant to Article 4 of this Indenture shall bear the legend in substantially the final form:

 

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

(h)     Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.12. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(i)     General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(1)     To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Company’s order or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(2)     No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental taxes and fees payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06, 7.26, 7.30 and 11.05).

 

(3)     The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part.

 

(4)     All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(5)     The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(6)     Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(7)     The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.

 

(8)     All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile with the original to follow by first class mail or delivery service.

 

(9)     Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book-entry.

 

(10)     The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restriction on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(11)     None of the Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

Section 2.08.     Replacement Notes.

 

(a)     If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company or the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note. If, after the delivery of such replacement Note, a protected purchaser of the original Note in lieu of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment or registration such original Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a protected purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company, the Trustee and any Agent in connection therewith.

 

(b)     Subject to the provisions of the final sentence of the preceding paragraph, every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.09.     Outstanding Notes.

 

(a)     The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes (including PIK Interest Notes) authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

 

(b)     If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

(c)     If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 7.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

(d)     If any Initial Note is converted in accordance with Article Four, then on the date of such conversion, such Initial Note shall cease to be outstanding and interest on such Initial Note shall cease to accrue, unless there shall be a default in the delivery of the consideration payable hereunder upon such conversion.

 

(e)     If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of the foregoing) holds as of 1:00 p.m. New York Time, on a redemption date, repurchase date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.10.     Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.11.     [Reserved].Section 2.12.     Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or conversion. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, conversion, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its procedures for the disposition of canceled securities in effect as of the date of such disposition (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposition of all canceled Notes shall be delivered to the Company upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that any Holder has converted pursuant to Article Four.

 

Section 2.13.     Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on the record date for the interest payment or a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 7.01. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided, however that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.14.     PIK Interest.

 

For any interest period the Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind (“PIK Interest”) on the then outstanding principal amount of the Notes (a “PIK Payment”) by (a) in the case of interest on any Global Note, by increasing the principal amount of such Global Note and (b) with respect to a Definitive Note, by issuing to the Holder of such Definitive Note an additional Definitive Note, the principal amount of which shall be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar (a “PIK Interest Note”).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the payment of accrued interest in connection with any redemption or repurchase of the Notes as described under Section 3.07 or 3.08 hereof will be made solely in cash. If the Company elects to pay interest on the Notes as a combination Cash Interest and PIK Interest, such Cash Interest and PIK Interest shall be paid on the Notes on a pro rata basis. In the event that the Company shall elect to pay PIK Interest for any interest period, then the Company shall deliver a notice to the Trustee and the Holders not less than five Business Days prior to the applicable record date for the relevant Interest Payment Date of the relevant interest period, which notice shall state the total amount of interest to be paid on such Interest Payment Date and the total amount of PIK Interest.

 

Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the Trustee, with respect to the payment of any PIK Interest, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, (a) with respect to Definitive Notes, the required amount of new Definitive Notes (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) and an Authentication Order to authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Notes on the relevant Interest Payment Date or (b) with respect to Global Notes, unless prohibited by the procedures of the Depositary, a written order from an Officer of the Company to the Trustee to increase the principal amount of the outstanding Global Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar).

 

Any PIK Interest Note shall, after being executed and authenticated pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, be mailed to the Person entitled thereto as shown on the register for the Definitive Notes as of the relevant Record Date.

 

Any PIK Payment shall be made in such form and on terms as specified in this Section 2.14, and the Company shall and the Trustee may take additional steps as necessary to effect such PIK Payment.

 

Section 2.15.     CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use such numbers in notices, including notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

 

Section 2.16.     Use of Proceeds.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions herein, the proceeds of the Notes shall be applied to repay, in part, outstanding obligations under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

ARTICLE Three
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01.     Notice to Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 or is required to redeem the Notes pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of Section 3.08, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 10 days (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period) before giving a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price, if then determined and otherwise the method of its determination.

 

Section 3.02.     Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

 

(a)     If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Company shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Company shall notify the Trustee of any such listing) or, if the Notes are not so listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Company in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or, in the case of Global Notes, the Company will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).

 

(b)     The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part (or $1.00 following any PIK Payment). The Company may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000 (or $1.00 following any PIK Payment). Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment); except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000 or $1.00, as applicable, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

Section 3.03.     Notice of Redemption.

 

(a)     At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or electronically if held by DTC, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address and send a copy to the Trustee at the same time.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP or ISIN number(s)) to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)     the redemption date;

 

(2)     the redemption price, if then determined and otherwise the method of its determination;

 

(3)     if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(4)     the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5)     that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

 

(6)     that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(7)     the paragraph of the Notes and/or section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

and

 

(8)     that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

(b)     At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, as provided in Section 3.01, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. The notice, if mailed in the manner provided herein shall be presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

 

Section 3.04.     Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

 

Section 3.05.     Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

(a)     Prior to 1:00 p.m. New York Time on the Business Day that is the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

 

(b)     If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Holder in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 7.01.

 

Section 3.06.     Notes Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. No Notes in principal amount of $2,000 or less (or $1.00 following any PIK Payment) will be redeemed in part.

 

Section 3.07.     Optional Redemption.

 

(a)     The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time prior to May [ ], 2020, the Notes, at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

 

(b)     The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May [ ], 2020, the Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

 

(c)     Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 and shall be made on a pro rata basis, subject to adjustment in a manner that most nearly approximates a pro rata basis.

 

Section 3.08.     Mandatory Redemption.

 

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and to the extent not required to be used to prepay the Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof:

 

(a)     Prior to or within two Business Days following the consummation of any disposition of Property permitted pursuant to Section 7.26(i) or (j), the Company shall notify the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01 it is required to redeem the Notes (and shall promptly thereafter provide notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to Section 3.03(a)) in an aggregate principal amount of the net cash proceeds of such disposition (net of (1) all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors and brokerage commissions, (2) any taxes directly attributable to such disposition, (3) any Indebtedness or other liabilities required to be paid with the proceeds of such disposition and (4) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any such proceeds that are (or are intended to be) invested within 180 days of receipt thereof in long-term productive assets of the general type used in the business of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (it being understood and agreed that any proceeds that are not actually invested pursuant to this clause (4) within such 180 day period shall be required to be applied to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.08(a))).

 

(b)     Prior to or within two Business Days of the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Notes, the Company shall notify the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01(a) it is required to redeem the Notes (and shall promptly thereafter provide notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to Section 3.03(a)) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the net cash proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness.

 

(c)     Except as expressly provided in Section 3.08(a) and Section 3.08(b), any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06, shall be subject to payment of the Prepayment Premium, if applicable, and shall be made on a pro rata basis, subject to adjustment in a manner that most nearly approximates a pro rata basis.

 

(d)     If the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, as a result of an Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)) prior to May [ ], 2020, the amount of principal of, and premium on, the Notes that becomes due and payable shall equal 101% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Notes accelerated. Any premium payable above shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Holder as the result of the redemption and the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. The premium shall also be payable in the event the Notes (and/or the Indenture) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means prior to May [ ], 2020. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor expressly agree that: (A) the premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between the Holders and the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the premium; and (D) the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor expressly acknowledge that their agreement to pay the premium to the Holders as herein described is a material inducement to the Holders to purchase the Notes.

 

Section 3.09.     Application of Trust Money.

 

All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.05 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

CONVERSION

 

 

The provisions of this Article Four shall apply to all Notes. 

 

Section 4.01.     Conversion Privilege

 

(a)      Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article Four, each Holder shall be entitled to convert, at such Holder’s sole option, any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock, at the Conversion Rate. The Company shall not issue any fractional shares of Common Stock upon any conversion. If the Holder elects to convert its Notes into Common Stock as described in this Section 4.01, the Company shall (i) deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder, (ii) pay the Holder an amount in Cash equal to the market value of the shares calculated using the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Conversion Date, or (iii) any combination thereof, in accordance with Section 4.06. If the issuance of Common Stock would result in the issuance of a fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Closing Price on the Conversion Date. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp and similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Common Stock upon conversion of any Conversion Amount; provided, however that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any issuance of Common Stock to any Person other than the converting Holder or with respect to any income tax due by such Holder with respect to such Common Stock and the Company shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid or is not payable. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a Note also apply to conversion of a portion of a Note.

 

(b)     Notes delivered for conversion will be deemed to have been converted at immediately prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Conversion Date. A Holder of Notes is not entitled to any rights of a holder of Common Stock until such Holder has converted (or, in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence or with Section 4.02, is deemed to have converted or become a record holder of Common Stock) its Notes to Common Stock and only to the extent such Notes are deemed to have been converted into Common Stock pursuant to this Article Four.

 

Section 4.02.     Conversion Procedure. 

 

(a)     Optional Conversion. The Holder may convert any Conversion Amount into shares of Common Stock on any Conversion Date by (A) transmitting by facsimile or electronic mail (or otherwise deliver), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York Time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion in the form attached to the form of Note as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company and (B) (i) if the Notes are Definitive Notes, surrendering the Notes to a reputable common carrier for delivery to the Company as soon as practicable on or following such date (or an indemnification undertaking with respect to the Notes in the case of its loss, theft or destruction), and (ii) if the Notes are Global Notes, submitting, directly or through a Participant, a valid instruction into DTC’s ATOP platform (or equivalent platform of the Depositary at the time) in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary in respect of the principal amount of Notes to be converted. On or before the third Business Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail a notice addressed to the Holder and the Conversion Agent confirming (i) receipt of such Conversion Notice and (ii) the method by which the Company intends to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in accordance with Section 4.06. If Definitive Notes are physically surrendered for conversion and the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) is greater than the Conversion Amount being converted, then the Company shall as soon as practicable after, and no later than three Business Days following, receipt of the Notes, and in each case at its own expense, issue, and the Trustee shall authenticate in accordance with the terms of the Note and the Indenture, and the Company shall deliver to the Holder, a new Definitive Note representing the outstanding principal amount of the Notes not converted. For the avoidance of doubt, any accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of the Notes not converted shall remain outstanding and payable at the next Interest Payment Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of the Notes shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date. In the event of a partial conversion of the Notes pursuant hereto or to the terms of the Note, the Conversion Amount converted shall be deducted from the aggregate amount of the outstanding principal amount of such Note and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon for the purposes of calculating future interest payments due on such Note pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and such Note following such partial conversion.

 

(b)     The right of conversion attaching to any Note may be exercised (i) if such Note is represented by a Global Note, by electronic instruction to the Conversion Agent through the facilities of the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, or (ii) if such Note is represented by a Definitive Note, by physical delivery of the Definitive Note to the Company in accordance with the terms of such Definitive Note and the Indenture, and upon such exercise the Company shall, provided all of the other requirements for conversion have been satisfied by the Holder, (A) provided that the transfer agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian system or (B) if the transfer agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and deliver to the address as specified in the Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled, in each case by no later than the fourth (4th) Business Day following the date of receipt of such Note (whether through book-entry transfer or physical delivery). To the extent that Common Stock issued upon conversion is represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form or forms as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall be issued in consecutive order and shall be numbered in the order of their issue, and shall be signed by any Officer. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile. In the event any such Officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to hold such office or to be employed by the Company before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such Officer had held such office on the date of issue.

 

(c)     The person in whose name the Note is registered shall be deemed to be a stockholder of record on the Conversion Date; provided, however that no surrender of a Note on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock upon such conversion as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date, but such surrender shall be effective to constitute the person or persons entitled to receive such shares of Common Stock as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes at the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open; provided further that such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date on which such Note was delivered as if the stock transfer books of the Company had not been closed. Upon conversion of a Note, such person shall no longer be a Holder of such Note. No separate payment or adjustment will be made for accrued and unpaid interest on a converted Security or for dividends or distributions on shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Security except as provided in this Indenture.

 

Section 4.03.     Company to Provide Stock.

 

(a)     The Company shall, prior to the issuance of any Notes hereunder, and from time to time as may be necessary, reserve at all times and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of all of the Notes.

 

(b)     All shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of the Notes shall be newly issued shares or shares held in the treasury of the Company, shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free of any preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim.

 

(c)     The Company shall comply with all applicable securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of any Common Stock upon conversion of Notes and shall list or cause to have quoted such shares of Common Stock on each national and regional securities exchange or on Nasdaq or on an over-the-counter market or such other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.

 

(d)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing herein shall give to any Holder any rights as a creditor in respect solely of its right to conversion.

 

Section 4.04.     Conversion Price Adjustment.

 

(a)     In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution to all or substantially all holders of any class of capital stock of the Company payable in Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the denominator shall be (i) such number of shares plus (ii) the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. (For the purposes of determining adjustments to the Conversion Price as set forth herein, shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, and distributions or issuances in respect thereof shall be disregarded.)

 

(b)     In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 days, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the Current Market Price on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such Current Market Price and the denominator shall be (i) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such termination. In case any rights or warrants referred to in this paragraph in respect of which an adjustment shall have been made shall expire unexercised, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted at the time of such expiration to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect if no adjustment had been made on account of the distribution or issuance of such expired rights or warrants.

 

(c)     In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

(d)     In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock of any class or series, other securities, cash or assets (other than Common Stock referred to in Section 4.04(a), rights or warrants referred to in Section 4.04(b) or a dividend or distribution payable exclusively in cash), the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the payment of such distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment minus (ii) the then Fair Market Value of the portion of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets distributed per share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such Current Market Price, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such payment. In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock shares of any capital stock of, or other equity interest in, any subsidiary or other business unit of the Company (a “Spin Off”) and, immediately after such distribution, such capital stock or other equity interest is registered under the Exchange Act and listed and publicly traded on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such distribution minus (ii) the average of the Closing Prices of the amount of such capital stock or other equity interests distributed per share of Common Stock on such exchange during the first ten days of such public trading immediately following and including the effective date of the Spin Off and the denominator shall be the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such distribution.

 

(e)     In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, make a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock payable exclusively in cash, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date fixed for such payment shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment minus (ii) the amount in cash per share of Common Stock paid in such distribution and the denominator shall be the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment, such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such payment. In the event that the amount in cash per share of Common Stock paid in such distribution is greater than or equal to the Current Market Price on the date fixed for such payment, each Holder of Notes shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, without conversion and at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for such payment for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

(f)     In case the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall consummate a tender or exchange offer for all or any portion of the Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the date of expiration of such tender or exchange offer shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be (i) the Current Market Price on such date of expiration minus the (ii) Per Share Premium Amount paid in such tender or exchange offer and the denominator shall be such Current Market Price, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following such date of expiration.

 

(g)     In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, make a distribution referred to in Section 4.04(d) or 4.04(e), any Holder converting its Notes (or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of its Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon)) subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution and prior to the effectiveness of the Conversion Price adjustment in respect of such distribution shall, in lieu of a conversion adjustment, be entitled to receive, for each share of Common Stock received in respect of the conversion of such Notes (or portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Notes (together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) being converted), the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however that, at the election of the Company (whose election shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) with respect to all Holders so converting, the Company may, in lieu of distributing to such Holder any portion or all of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash and assets to which such holder is entitled as set forth above, (i) pay such Holder an amount in Cash equal to the Fair Market Value thereof or (ii) distribute to such Holder a due bill therefor, provided that such due bill (A) meets any applicable requirements of the principal national securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded and (B) requires payment or delivery of such evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, other securities, cash or assets no later than the date of payment thereof to holders of shares of Common Stock receiving such distribution.

 

(h)     The Company may not engage in any transaction if, as a result thereof, the Conversion Price would be reduced to below the par value per share of the Common Stock.

 

(i)     No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one tenth of one percent (0.1%) in the Conversion Price; provided, however that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 4.04(i) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.

 

Section 4.05.     Notice of Adjustment.

 

Whenever the Conversion Price or conversion privilege is adjusted, the Company shall promptly deliver to Holders a notice of the adjustment in accordance with Section 16.02, and furnish to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and the manner of computing it. Unless and until the Trustee and the Conversion Agent shall receive an Officers’ Certificate setting forth an adjustment of the Conversion Rate, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may assume without inquiry that the Conversion Rate has not been adjusted and that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge remains in effect.

 

Section 4.06.     Option to Satisfy Conversion Obligation with Cash, Common Stock or Combination Thereof.

 

 

In lieu of delivery of shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of the Company’s obligation upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Obligation”), the Company may elect to deliver cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that the Company may not elect to deliver cash in respect of any Conversion Obligation in an aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the Conversion Obligation on any Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holder(s) in writing (with a copy to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent) of the method by which the Company intends to satisfy its Conversion Obligation as follows: (i) no later than 11 Trading Days immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, in respect of Notes to be converted during the period beginning 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes and ending one Trading Day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes; and (ii) no later than three Trading Days immediately following the Conversion Date in all other cases. If the Company fails to give the notice described in the preceding sentence within the prescribed time periods, then the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation only in shares of Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares). If the Company elects to satisfy any portion of its Conversion Obligation in cash, the Company shall specify in such notice the amount to be satisfied in cash either as a percentage of the Conversion Obligation or as a fixed dollar amount. The Company shall treat all Holders converting on the same Trading Day in the same manner. The Company shall not have any obligation to satisfy its Conversion Obligations arising on different Trading Days in the same manner.

 

Section 4.07.     Effect of Reclassifications, Business Combinations, Asset Sales and Corporate Events.

 

(a)     If any of the following events occur: (i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination to which Section 4.04(c) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger, binding share exchange or combination of the Company with another Person, or (iii) any sale or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case as a result of which Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event or transaction, a “Reorganization Event”), then, following the effective time of the Reorganization Event, the right to receive shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes, if any, will be changed into a right to receive the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (the “Reference Property”) that a Holder would have been entitled to receive upon such Reorganization Event in respect of Common Stock, as provided below. If the Reorganization Event causes Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the Reference Property will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election. The Company will notify Holders of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. Upon such Reorganization Event, the Company or any Successor Company will enter into a supplemental indenture consistent with the foregoing. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for provisions and adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the provisions and adjustments provided for in this Article 4, as determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive and binding), to make such provisions apply to such other Person if different from the original issuer of the Notes.

 

(b)     Following the effective time of any such Reorganization Event, settlement of Notes converted shall be in units of Reference Property or cash and units of Reference Property, if applicable, determined in accordance with Section 4.01. The Conversion Rate will relate to units of Reference Property (a “unit” of Reference Property being the kind and amount of reference property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have received in such transaction); and the Conversion Price will be determined based on the Closing Price of one unit of Reference Property on the Conversion Date.

 

(c)     The above provisions of this Section 4.07 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events.

 

(e)     If this Section 4.07 applies to any event or occurrence, Section 4.04 shall not apply in respect of such event or occurrence.

 

(f)     The Company shall not become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing and it is otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder of Notes to convert the Notes as set forth in and subject to Section 4.01 prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event.

 

Section 4.08.     Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

 

Neither the Trustee nor any other Agent shall have any responsibility or duty to calculate the Conversion Prices, to determine when an adjustment under this Article Four should be made, how it should be made or what such adjustment should be, but may accept as conclusive evidence of that fact or the correctness of any such adjustment set forth in, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate, including the Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto which the Company is obligated to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.05. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent makes any representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of Notes. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock or share certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion; and the Trustee and any Agent shall not be responsible for the Company’s failure to comply with any provisions of this Article Four.

 

Section 4.09.     Conversion Limitation.

 

At no time when the Common Stock is registered under the Section 12 of the Securities Act shall the Company effect any conversion of the Notes and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Notes, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion as set forth on the applicable Conversion Notice, such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or such Holder’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation; provided, however that, upon a Holder providing the Company with 61 days’ notice (the “Waiver Notice”) at any time, whether before or after the Common Stock is registered under the Section 12 of the Securities Act, that such Holder wishes to waive the provisions of this Section 4.08 with regard to any or all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Holder’s Notes, this Section 4.08 shall be of no force or effect with regard to the Notes referenced in the Waiver Notice. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by such Holder, its Affiliates and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or its Affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Notes with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company Beneficially Owned by such Holder, its Affiliates or any other Persons if such securities are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein.

 

ARTICLE FIVE
[Reserved].

 

ARTICLE SIX
[Reserved].

 

ARTICLE SEVEN
COVENANTS

 

Section 7.01.     Payment of Notes.

 

(a)     The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and Cash Interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, holds as of 1:00 p.m. New York Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then due. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period provided such payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any PIK Payment shall be considered paid on the date it is due (a) if PIK Interest Notes have been issued therefor, such PIK Interest Notes have been executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee on or prior to the date the payment is due in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and (b) if the PIK Payment is made by increasing the principal amount of Global Notes then authenticated, the Company has delivered the written request required by Section 2.14 and the Trustee has increased the principal amount of Global Notes then authenticated by the relevant amount on or prior to the date the payment is due.

 

(b)     The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, on the Notes from time to time on demand at one percentage point in excess of the rate then in effect on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) from time to time on demand at such higher rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 7.02.     Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

(a)     The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an agent of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

(b)     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)     The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 of this Indenture.

 

Section 7.03.     Reports.

 

(a)     The Company, pursuant to §314(a) of the TIA, shall file with the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the Securities Act with respect to the Company’s filing status, copies of the annual and quarterly reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; provided, however that any such information, documents or reports filed electronically with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be deemed filed with, and delivered to, the Trustee; provided, further, the Company shall notify the Trustee if it shall fail to so file any such information, documents or reports with the Commission. In addition, the Company will make such reports and information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request.

 

(b)      If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the financial information required by Section 7.03(a) above will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

(c)     For so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding and constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will furnish to the Holders of the Notes and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

(d)     The Company shall be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes if it has filed such reports with the Commission using the EDGAR filing system or on the Company’s website and such reports are publicly available. The Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor whether the Company posts such reports, information and documents on its website or the Commission’s EDGAR service, or collect any such reports, information and documents from the Company’s website or the Commission’s EDGAR service.

 

(e)     The delivery of the foregoing annual reports, information, documents and other reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

(f)     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of any Default hereunder or any event of default under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Section 7.04.     Compliance Certificate.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the material terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto). For purposes of this Section 7.04(a), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture.

 

Section 7.05.     Taxes.

 

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Section 7.06.     Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 7.07.     Insurance.

 

The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as is customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. Subject to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the Collateral, as applicable, shall be endorsed in favor of the Collateral Agent as its interests in the Collateral may appear and such policies shall name the Collateral Agent as an “additional insured” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Collateral Agent, it being understood that the Company shall be afforded a period of 30 days following the Issue Date to comply with this Section.

 

Section 7.08.     Further Assurances.

 

(a)     The Company at its sole expense will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in this Indenture or the Security Documents, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, or to correct any omissions in this Indenture or the Security Documents, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Indenture or any of the Security Documents or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

 

(b)     The Company hereby authorizes each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor where permitted by law; provided, however, that neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duty to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of any financing or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Documents or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

 

Section 7.09.     [Reserved].Section 7.10.     Certificate of Financial Officer – Asset Coverage.

 

On or before the 45th day after each Test Date, a certificate of a financial officer setting forth, as of such Test Date, a calculation in reasonable detail of the Asset Coverage Ratio as of such Test Date shall be delivered to the Trustee.

 

Section 7.11.     [Reserved].

 

Section 7.12.     Existence; Conduct of Business.

 

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will 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 its Oil and Gas 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 8.01.

 

Section 7.13.     Operation and Maintenance of Properties12.01.      .

 

12.02.      The Company, at its own expense, will operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, 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, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

Section 7.14.     Compliance with Laws12.03.      .

 

12.04.      The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

Section 7.15.     Environmental Matters12.05.      .

 

12.06.       

 

12.07.      (a)     The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall each, at its sole expense: (i) comply, and shall cause its Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, the breach of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not Release or threaten to Release, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary not to Release or threaten to Release, any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties or any other property offsite the Property to the extent caused by its operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the Release or threatened Release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file all Environmental Permits, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of its Properties, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary 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 or reasonably necessary under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of its Properties, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) conduct its operations and businesses in a manner that will not expose any Property or Person to Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a material claim for damages or compensation; and (vi) establish and implement, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to establish and implement, such procedures as may be necessary to continuously determine and assure that its obligations under this Section 7.15(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(a)      (b)     The Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, will promptly, but in no event later than five days after the occurrence of a triggering event, notify the Trustee and the Holders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any threatened demand or lawsuit by any Person against the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or their Properties of which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws if the Company could reasonably anticipate that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $1,000,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.

 

(b)       

 

Section 7.16.     ERISA Compliance.          The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will promptly furnish and will cause any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Trustee (a) promptly after the filing thereof with the United States Secretary of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder, and (b) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence 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 Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or the ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action the Company, its Restricted 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 or the Department of Labor with respect thereto.

 

Section 7.17.     Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws.     Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall:

 

(c)      (a)     Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Notes, knowingly (i) conduct any operations in violation of any Money-Laundering Laws, (ii) conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person or (iii) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Money-Laundering Laws.

 

(d)      (b)     Directly or indirectly, in connection with the Notes, knowingly cause or permit any of the funds of either the Company or its Subsidiaries that are used to repay the Notes to be derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the issuance of the Notes would be in violation of any Money-Laundering Laws.

 

(e)      (c)     Knowingly cause or permit (i) an Embargoed Person to have any direct or indirect interest in or benefit of any nature whatsoever in either the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) any of the funds or properties of either the Company or its Subsidiaries that are used to repay the Notes to constitute property of, or be beneficially owned directly or indirectly by, an Embargoed Person.

 

 

Section 7.18.     Compliance with FCPA.     

 

 

Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, will use the proceeds of any Notes in a manner that would result in a violation by such Persons of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, including without limitation, an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, the Company and its Subsidiaries will conduct their business in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, such continued material compliance therewith.

 

Section 7.19.     Use of Proceeds.

 

12.08.      (a)     The Company will not permit the proceeds of the Notes to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 2.16. Neither the Company nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Note Documents to violate Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect.

 

 

(b)     The Company shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Notes (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of the FCPA or any other applicable anti-corruption law or regulation, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

Section 7.20.     ERISA Compliance. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not at any time:

 

 

(a)     engage in, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

 

(b)     fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto; and

 

(c)     contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to (i) any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion at any time without any material liability, or (ii) any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code.

 

Section 7.21.     [Reserved].Section 7.22.     Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock.

 

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness and any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness and issue Preferred Stock if on the date of such Incurrence or issuance:

 

(1)     the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.25 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of proceeds); and

 

(2)     no Default would occur as a consequence of, and no Event of Default would be continuing following, Incurring the Indebtedness or the application of its proceeds.

 

(b)     Section 7.22(a) will not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

 

(1)     Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting a Permitted Reserve Based Facility;

 

(2)     Guarantees Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor Incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture (including any increase in principal amount as a result of a PIK Payment and any PIK Interest Notes in respect thereof); provided, however that in the event such Indebtedness that is being Guaranteed is a Subordinated Obligation or a Guarantor Subordinated Obligation, then the related Guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent as the Indebtedness being Guaranteed, as the case may be;

 

(3)     Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that (a)(i) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the obligee is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes and (ii) if a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor of such Indebtedness and the obligee is neither the Company nor a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee and (b)(i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause;

 

(4)     Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes issued on the Issue Date (together with any PIK Payments in respect thereof) and all Subsidiary Guarantees, (b) any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (6) or (7)) outstanding on the Issue Date and (c) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in this clause (4) or clause (5) or (7) or Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22(a);

 

(5)     Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

 

(6)     Indebtedness in respect of (a) self-insurance obligations, bid, appeal, reimbursement, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations and (b) obligations represented by letters of credit for the account of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in order to provide security for workers’ compensation claims (in the case of clauses (a) and (b) other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

(7)     Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not Incurred pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions), mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, Incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, improvement or development of real or personal, movable or immovable, property, in each case Incurred for the purpose of financing, refinancing, renewing, defeasing or refunding all or any part of the purchase price or cost of acquisition, construction, improvement or development of property used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (7), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (4) in respect of such Indebtedness, and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of $5.0 million or 1.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom; and

 

(8)     Cash Management Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(9)     in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (8) above, Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (9) and then outstanding, will not exceed the greater of $15.0 million or 2.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom.

 

(c)     For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this covenant:

 

(1)     in the event an item of that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 7.22(a)-(b), the Company, in its sole discretion, will, in each case, subject to clause (2) below, classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of Incurrence in any manner that complies with this covenant;

 

(2)     all Indebtedness outstanding on the date of this Indenture under the First Lien Credit Agreement, after giving effect to the initial offering and sale of Notes and the use of proceeds therefrom shall be deemed Incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of Section 7.22(b) and may not later be reclassified;

 

(3)     Guarantees Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of, or obligations Incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of letters of credit supporting, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included;

 

(4)     if obligations in respect of letters of credit are Incurred pursuant to a Credit Facility and are being treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 7.22(b) and the letters of credit relate to other Indebtedness, then such other Indebtedness shall not be included to the extent of the underlying letter of credit;

 

(5)     the principal amount of any Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, will be equal to the greater of the maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the liquidation preference thereof;

 

(6)     Indebtedness permitted by this Section 7.22 need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this Section 7.22 permitting such Indebtedness; and

 

(7)     the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

(d)     Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the amortization of debt discount or the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 7.22.

 

(e)     The Company will not permit any of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries to Incur any Indebtedness, or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock, other than Non-Recourse Debt. If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this Section 7.22, the Company shall be in Default of this Section 7.22.

 

(f)     For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided, however that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

(g)     Nothing contained in this Indenture is intended to treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

 

Section 7.23.     Limitation on Restricted Payments.

 

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

 

(1)     pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on or in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiaries’ Capital Stock (including any payment or distribution in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:

 

(A)     dividends or distributions by the Company payable solely in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock but including options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock of the Company); and

 

(B)     dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation) so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution;

 

(2)     purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock));

 

(3)     purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations (other than (x) Indebtedness permitted under clause (3) of Section 7.22(b) of this Indenture or (y) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement);

 

(4)     purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Unsecured Debt (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any “make-whole” payment in connection with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement); or

 

(5)     make any Restricted Investment in any Person;

 

(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (5) shall be referred to herein as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

 

(A)     a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);

 

(B)     the Company is not able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.22(a) of this Indenture after giving effect, on a pro forma basis, to such Restricted Payment; or

 

(C)     the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (the “Restricted Payments Basket”):

 

(i)     50% of Consolidated Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from April 1, 2019 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which internal financial statements are in existence (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);

 

(ii)     100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the Fair Market Value of property or securities other than cash (including Capital Stock of Persons engaged primarily in the Oil and Gas Business or assets used in the Oil and Gas Business), in each case received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or other capital contributions subsequent to the Issue Date (other than Net Cash Proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to (x) Persons indicated in clause 6(a) of Section 7.23(b) or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have been used to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (6)(a) of Section 7.23(b), (y) a Subsidiary of the Company or (z) an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust (to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination));

 

(iii)     the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property (other than such Capital Stock), distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; and

 

(iv)     the amount equal to the aggregate net reduction in Restricted Investments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person subsequent to the Issue Date resulting from:

 

(A)     repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Restricted Investments by such Person or proceeds realized upon the sale of such Restricted Investment (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(B)     the redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”) not to exceed, in the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, which amount in each case under this clause (iv) was included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; provided, however, that no amount will be included under this clause (iv) to the extent it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; and

 

(C)     the sale by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of all or a portion of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (whether any such distribution or dividend is made with proceeds from the issuance by such Unrestricted Subsidiary of its Capital Stock or otherwise).

 

(b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 7.23(a) shall not prohibit the following actions:

 

(1)     any Restricted Payment made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) or a substantially concurrent cash capital contribution received by the Company from its shareholders; provided, however, that (a) such Restricted Payment will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and (b) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale of Capital Stock or capital contribution will be excluded from clause (C)(ii) of Section 7.23(a);

 

(2)     any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations of the Company or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Refinancing Indebtedness or any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Guarantor Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Refinancing Indebtedness that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(3)     any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Unsecured Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Unsecured Debt constituting Refinancing Indebtedness of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(4)     any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that, in each case, is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 7.22 of this Indenture; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(5)     dividends paid or distributions made within 60 days after the date of declaration if at such date of declaration such dividend or distribution would have complied with this covenant if it had been made on such date; provided, however, that such dividends and distributions will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and provided further, however, that for purposes of clarification, this clause (5) shall not include cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares included in clause (10) below;

 

(6)     so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock (including options, warrants, equity appreciation rights or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock) of the Company held by any existing or former employees, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or their assigns, estates or heirs, in each case pursuant to the repurchase or other acquisition provisions under employee stock option or stock purchase plans or agreements or other agreements to compensate officers, employees or directors, in each case approved by the Company’s Board of Directors; provided, however that such repurchases or other acquisitions pursuant to this clause (6) during any calendar year will not exceed $2.5 million in the aggregate (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $5.0 million in any calendar year); provided further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed

 

(A)     the cash proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Capital Stock of the Company to any existing or former employees, officers or directors of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or their assigns, estates or heirs that occurs after the Issue Date (to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Capital Stock have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 7.23(a), plus

 

(B)     the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, less

 

(C)     the amount of any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 7.23(b)(6)(A)-(B); provided further that the amount of any such repurchase or other acquisition under this clause (C) will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and the proceeds received from any such transaction will be excluded from clause (C)(ii) of Section 7.23(a) for purposes of calculating the Restricted Payments Basket; and

 

(7) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, in each case as permitted by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the proceeds of which are used to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, or to refinance loans or advances made pursuant to this subclause (7), in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $2.5 million at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that the amount of such loans and advances will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(8)     purchases, repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants, rights to acquire Capital Stock or other convertible securities if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof, and any purchases, repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of Capital Stock made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of warrants, options or rights to acquire Capital Stock; provided, however, that such acquisitions or retirements will be excluded from subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(9)     the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Unsecured Debt or Subordinated Obligation (a) at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Unsecured Debt or Subordinated Obligation in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with provisions similar to Section 7.30; provided, however that, prior to or simultaneously with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company has made the Change of Control Offer as provided Section 7.30 and has completed the repurchase or redemption of all Notes validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control Offer; provided, however, that such acquisitions or retirements will be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(10)     payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law or in connection with the settlement or other satisfaction of legal claims made pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets; provided, however, that any payment pursuant to this clause (10) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(11)     cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares; provided, however, that any payment pursuant to this clause (11) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(12)     the payment of scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class of or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with Section 7.22, to the extent such dividends are included in Consolidated Interest Expense; provided, however, that any payment pursuant to this clause (12) shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

(13)     Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate since the Issue Date; provided, however, that the amount of such Restricted Payments will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments; and

 

(14)     any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in an amount paid (whether in cash, securities or otherwise) not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate.

 

(c)     The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in accordance with the definition of that term.

 

(d)     In the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (14) of Section 7.23(b) above or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 7.23(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, subdivide and classify such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 7.23.

 

(e)     For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 7.23(a) or under clause (13) of Section 7.23(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

(f)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall directly purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Unsecured Debt or Capital Stock (but excluding in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, any “make-whole” payment in connection with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement) with the proceeds of any borrowing under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Section 7.24.     Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien other than Permitted Liens upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries), which Lien secures Indebtedness.

 

Section 7.25.     Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1)     pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)     make any loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

 

(3)     sell, lease or transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)     However, paragraph (a) of this Section 7.25 will not prohibit:

 

(1)     any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to or by reason of an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, this Indenture and the Security Documents as in effect on such date;

 

(2)     any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Person pursuant to or by reason of an agreement relating to any Capital Stock or Indebtedness Incurred by a Person on or before the date on which such Person was acquired by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary (other than Capital Stock or Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or in contemplation of the transaction) and outstanding on such date; provided, however that any such encumbrance or restriction shall not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property so acquired;

 

(3)     encumbrances and restrictions contained in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of, or from the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to realize the value of, property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)     any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction shall not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(5)     with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary incorporated or organized outside the United States, any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was Incurred if either (a) the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such Indebtedness or agreement or (b) the Company determines that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive;

 

(6)     any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement effecting a refunding, replacement or refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clauses (1) through (5), clause (12) or this clause (6) of this Section 7.25(b) or contained in any amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplemental, refunding, replacement or refinancing of an agreement referred to in clauses (1) through (5), clause (12) or this clause (6) of this Section 7.25(b); provided, however that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such agreement taken as a whole are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refunded, replaced or refinanced;

 

(7)     in the case of clause (3) of Section 7.25(a) above, any encumbrance or restriction:

 

(A)     that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or farm-in agreements or farm-out agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease (including leases governing leasehold interests or farm-in agreements or farm-out agreements relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties), license (including, without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) or other contract;

 

(B)     contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements permitted under this Indenture securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrances or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such mortgages, pledges or other security agreements;

 

(C)     contained in any agreement creating Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture which are not included in the definition of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (3) of the penultimate paragraph of the definition thereof;

 

(D)     pursuant to customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(E)     provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(8)     any encumbrance or restriction contained in (a) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and (b) Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted under this Indenture, in each case, that impose encumbrances or restrictions of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 7.25(a) on the property so acquired;

 

(9)     any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary (or any of its property or assets) imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the direct or indirect sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary (or the property or assets that are subject to such restriction) pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

 

(10)     any customary encumbrances or restrictions imposed pursuant to any agreement of the type described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investment”;

 

(11)     encumbrances or restrictions arising or existing by reason of applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

(12)     encumbrances or restrictions contained in agreements governing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be Incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to the Issue Date in accordance with Section 7.22; provided, however that the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as determined by the Company in good faith, than the provisions contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement and in this Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(13)     the issuance of Preferred Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided, however that issuance of such Preferred Stock is permitted pursuant to Section 7.22 and the terms of such Preferred Stock do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such Preferred Stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);

 

(14)     supermajority voting requirements existing under corporate charters, bylaws, stockholders agreements and similar documents and agreements;

 

(15)     restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(16)     any encumbrance or restriction contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, and in any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided, however that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Section 7.26.     Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not 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 Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use; (d) a disposition by a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor to a Subsidiary Guarantor; (e) a disposition of cash, cash equivalents or other financial assets; (f) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or to a Subsidiary Guarantor; (g) any casualty or condemnation event (other than a Casualty Event described in clause (i) of this Section 7.03); (h) the making of a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.23 or a Permitted Investment; (i) the sale or other disposition (including Casualty Events) of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties; provided, however that (i) 100% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be cash; provided, however, that the consideration received in respect of any sale or other disposition of undeveloped real property that is owned by the Company located in Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster Parishes, Louisiana and Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith and Upshur Counties, Texas may be other Oil and Gas Properties, which shall be equivalent on a net revenue interest acre basis and limited to other undeveloped Oil and Gas Properties located in Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster Parishes, Louisiana and Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith and Upshur Counties, Texas in order to facilitate future development of the field(s), and which will subsequently be mortgaged in accordance with Section 14.07; (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 of the Company and, if requested by the Trustee, the Company shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying to that effect) and (iii) 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 (j) sales and other dispositions of Properties not regulated by subsections (a) to (i) of this Section 7.26 having a fair market value not to exceed $1,000,000 during any 12-month period; provided, however that any net cash proceeds of such sale or disposition permitted by the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (j) are used to make the prepayments or reinvested as required by Section 3.08(a).

 

Section 7.27.     Limitation on Affiliate Transactions.

 

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, make, amend or conduct any transaction (including making a payment to, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service), contract, agreement or understanding with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless:

 

(1)     the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable transaction at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate; and

 

(2)     either: (a) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million but not greater than $30.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above, or (b) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate consideration in excess of $30.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in clause (1) above and that the terms of such transaction have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company having no personal pecuniary interest in such transaction.

 

(b)     Section 7.27(a) shall not apply to and does not prohibit:

 

(1)     any Restricted Payment (other than Investments) permitted to be made pursuant to Section 7.23;

 

(2)     any payments, awards or grants in cash, Capital Stock or other property pursuant to, or the funding of, employment or severance agreements and other compensation arrangements, options to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, restricted stock plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits plans and/or insurance and indemnification arrangements provided to or for the benefit of directors and employees approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(3)     loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million;

 

(4)     advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)     any transaction to the extent between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, and Guarantees issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with the Indenture;

 

(6)     transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in such Person;

 

(7)     the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or the receipt by the Company of any capital contribution from its shareholders;

 

(8)     indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by bylaw or statutory provisions and any employment agreement or other employee compensation plan or arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(9)     the payment of reasonable compensation and fees paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(10)     the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party as of or on the Issue Date and which is disclosed on Schedule 7.27 hereto, as these agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or renewed from time to time; provided, however, that any future amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal entered into after the Issue Date will be permitted only to the extent that its terms are not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(11)     transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, provided, however that in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management of the Company, such transactions are on terms not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

 

(12)     transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and such director is the sole cause for such Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such director shall abstain from voting as a director of the Company or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person.

 

Section 7.28.     Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

The Company will cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not already a Subsidiary Guarantor that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor under a Credit Facility or that incurs any Indebtedness under the First Lien Credit Agreement, in each case, to execute and deliver to the Trustee within 30 days of such guarantee or incurrence a supplemental indenture (in substantially the form specified in Exhibit E to this Indenture) pursuant to which such Subsidiary will unconditionally Guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on a senior basis. Any such Subsidiary Guarantee will be subject to the release and other provisions of Article Thirteen.

 

Section 7.29.     Business Activities.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activity other than the Oil and Gas Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 7.30.     Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control.

 

(a)     If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment) of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

(b)     Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, the Company shall deliver a notice (the “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, stating, among other things:

 

(1)     that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date) (the “Change of Control Payment”);

 

(2)     the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

(3)     that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)     that unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5)     that Holders electing to have any Notes in certificated form purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(6)     that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Company to purchase such Notes, provided, however that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter complying with the requirements of Section 7.30(f) below;

 

(7)     that if the Company is repurchasing a portion of the Note of any Holder, the Holder will be issued a new Note equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, provided, however that the unpurchased portion of the Note must be equal to a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment); and

 

(8)     other procedures determined by the Company, consistent with this Indenture, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

 

(c)     On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1)     accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer and not properly withdrawn;

 

(2)     deposit with the paying agent an amount in United States dollars equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes accepted for payment, provided, however, that the funds once deposited are to be uninvested until disbursed pursuant to this Section 7.30; and

 

(3)     deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

 

(d)     The paying agent will promptly mail or deliver to each Holder of Notes accepted for payment the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided, however that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment).

 

(e)     If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

(f)     A tender made in response to a Change of Control Payment Notice may be withdrawn if the Company receives, not later than the third Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, electronic mail, facsimile transmission or letter, specifying, as applicable: (1) the name of the Holder; (2) the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; (3) the principal amount of the Note (which shall be $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment) delivered for purchase by the Company as to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; (4) a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such principal amount of such Note purchased; and (5) the principal amount, if any, of such Note (which shall be $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment) that remains subject to the original Change of Control Payment Notice and that has been or will be delivered for purchase by the Company.

 

(g)     Subject to applicable unclaimed property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return to the Company, upon its request, any cash that remains unclaimed for two years after a Change of Control Payment Date together with interest or dividends, if any, thereon (subject to Section 10.01(f)), held by them for the payment of the Change of Control Payment; and the Holder of such tendered and accepted Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders; provided, further that (x) to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the Company pursuant to clause (2) of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.30 exceeds the aggregate Change of Control Payment of the Notes or portions thereof to be purchased, then the Trustee shall hold such excess for the Company and (y) unless otherwise directed by the Company in writing, promptly after the Business Day following the Change of Control Payment Date the Trustee shall return any such excess to the Company together with interest, if any, thereon (subject to Section 10.01(f)).

 

(h)     The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 7.30, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 7.30 by virtue of such conflict.

 

(i)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(j)     In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 7.30(i) above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described under this Section 7.30, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

 

(k)     A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

Section 7.31.     Asset Coverage Ratio.

 

The Company will not permit as of any Test Date, the ratio (the “Asset Coverage Ratio”) of (1) Total Proved PV10% as of such Test Date attributable to the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Proved Reserves to (2) Total Secured Debt (net of any Unrestricted Cash on such date in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000) to be less than, 1.50 to 1.00.

 

Section 7.32.     [Reserved].     

 

Section 7.33.     Termination of Covenants.

 

From and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of this Indenture described under Sections 7.22, 7.23, 7.24, 7.26, 7.27, 7.29 and 7.31. In addition, the Company will no longer be subject to the financial test set forth in clause (3) of Section 8.01(a). Following the termination of the covenants listed in this Section 7.33, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” The Company shall provide the Trustee and the Holders with written notice of each Investment Grade Rating Event within five Business Days of the occurrence thereof. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or provide notice to the Holders of the Notes of any such Investment Grade Rating Event.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT
SUCCESSORS

 

Section 8.01.     Merger and Consolidation.

 

(a)     The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions to, any Person, unless:

 

(1)     the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and any other Note Document;

 

(2)     immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(3)     either (A) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.22(a)(1), or (B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four quarter period, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company is equal to or greater than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction;

 

(4)     if the Company is not the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above, in which case clause (1) above shall apply) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations in respect of this Indenture and the Notes shall continue to be in effect; and

 

(5)     the Company shall have delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, to the effect that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

For purposes of this Section 8.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

(b)     The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, and will not permit the conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to, any Person (other than the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor) unless:

 

(1)     (a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and such Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Person or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture; or

 

(2)     the transaction will result in the release of the Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee after and upon compliance with Section 13.04.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding the preceding clause (3) of Section 8.01(a), (x) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company and the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) the Company may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction; and provided further that, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that consolidates with, merges into or transfers all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, the Company will not be required to comply with the preceding clause (5) of Section 8.01(a).

 

(d)     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 8.01(a), the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person has been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interests on the Notes and all other covenants and obligations under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE NINE
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 9.01.     Events of Default.

 

An “Event of Default” shall occur if:

 

(1)     there shall be a default in the payment of any interest on any Note when it becomes due and payable, and such default shall continue for a period of 30 days;

 

(2)     there shall be a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

(3)     there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the provisions of Article Eight;

 

(4)     [reserved];

 

(5)     there shall be a failure by the Company to comply with any agreement in this Indenture (other than an agreement, a default in or failure to comply that is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section 9.01) and continuance of such default for 30 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(6)     there shall be any default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, which default: (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (and any extensions of any grace period) (a “payment default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more;

 

(7)     the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)     commences a voluntary case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(B)     consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding or to the commencement of any case or proceeding;

 

(C)     files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Bankruptcy Law;

 

(D)     consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or the taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any substantial part of its property; or

 

(E)     makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;

 

(8)     a court of competent jurisdiction enters a final order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)     is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)     adjudges the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(C)     approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

(D)     appoints a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or of any substantial part of their property;

 

(E)     orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary’s or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary’s, affairs,

 

and the final order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

(9)     the failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

(10)     any of this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantees), the Notes, the Security Documents and any supplemental indentures pursuant to this Indenture, 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 Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto or shall be repudiated by any of them in writing, or any of the Security Documents with respect to any Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a fair market value in excess of $25.0 million shall 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 Indenture, or the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing; or

 

(11)     there shall be any event of default under and as defined under the First Lien Credit Agreement that continues unwaived or uncured for 30 days.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (6) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration (to the extent not in violation of any applicable law or in conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid, or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived by the holders of such Indebtedness or cured and if such Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness, in each case within 20 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto.

 

Section 9.02.     Acceleration.

 

(a)     If an Event of Default (other than as specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing with respect to this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

 

(b)     After a declaration of acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders of Notes, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(1)     the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (B) all overdue interest on all Notes then outstanding, and (C) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Notes then outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes;

 

(2)     the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

(3)     all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

 

(c)     No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 9.03.     Other Remedies.

 

(a)     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

(b)     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 9.04.     Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, by written notice (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes) to the Trustee and the Company, may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default or non-compliance with any provisions under this Indenture and its consequences, except a continuing Default or Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected), or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment. In case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively. This Section 9.04 shall be in lieu of §316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA and such §316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Notes, as permitted by the TIA. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 9.05.     Control by Majority.

 

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders of Notes or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

Section 9.06.     Limitation on Suits.

 

Subject to Section 9.07 and Section 10.01, no Holder of any of the Notes has any right to institute any proceedings with respect to this Indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless (1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee pursue the remedy, (3) such Holders have furnished security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense, (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the furnishing of security or indemnity, and (5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not waived such Event of Default or otherwise given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

Section 9.07.     Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 9.08.     Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 9.01 above occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of overdue principal of, premium, if any, interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and to the extent lawful, interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 9.09.     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 10.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 10.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 9.10.     Priorities.

 

(a)     If the Trustee collects any money or other property (or the same is distributed) pursuant to this Article Nine, it shall pay out the money and other property in the following order:

 

First: to the Trustee and Collateral Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due hereunder and under the Security Documents, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and Collateral Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

(b)     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 9.10.

 

Section 9.11.     Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 9.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 9.07, or a suit by Holders of more than ten percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE TEN
TRUSTEE

 

Section 10.01.     Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)     If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)     Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)     the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)     in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c)     The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)     this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 10.01;

 

(2)     the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)     the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 9.05.

 

(d)     Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 10.01.

 

(e)     No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have furnished to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it, in its sole discretion, against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

(f)     Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds and need not be held in an interest-bearing account, in each case except to the extent required by law or by any other provision of this Indenture. The Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder unless the Trustee otherwise agrees in writing with the Company.

 

Section 10.02.     Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)     The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)     Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)     The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

(d)     The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)     Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f)     The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have furnished to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TRUSTEE BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS) FOR ANY ACTION IT TAKES OR OMITS TO TAKE, EVEN IF THE TRUSTEE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.

 

(g)     The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such event is sent to the Trustee in accordance with Section 16.02, and such notice references the Notes.

 

(h)     Subject to Section 10.01(b)(2), the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 

(i)     The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including the Collateral Agent.

 

(j)     The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the right of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

(k)     The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders holding a principal amount of the Notes not less than the principal amount of Notes required to make such direction pursuant to this Indenture as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

 

(l)     Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note and such request or authorization or consent shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

 

(m)     The Trustee may request that the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(n)     The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

(o)     The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, earthquakes, fire, flood, terrorism, wars and other military disturbances, sabotage, epidemics, riots, interruptions, loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services, accidents, labor disputes, and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental actions.

 

Section 10.03.     Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may become a creditor of, or otherwise deal with, the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA while any Default exists, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as Trustee with such conflict or resign as Trustee. The Collateral Agent and any other Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 10.10 and 10.11.

 

Section 10.04.     Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 9.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) or (10), or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 16.02 hereof from the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the Holders of the Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

 

Section 10.05.     Notice of Default.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 10.06.     Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a)     Within 60 days after each August 15 beginning with August 15, 2019, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also deliver all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

 

(b)     A copy of each report at the time of its delivery to the Holders of Notes shall be delivered to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

 

Section 10.07.     Compensation and Indemnity.

 

(a)     The Company shall pay to the Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee, and, to the extent it has been appointed as such, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent) from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder in accordance with a written schedule provided by the Trustee to the Company. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services, except those resulting from its own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

(b)     The Company shall indemnify the Trustee in its capacity against any and all losses, liabilities or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 10.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by either of the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may elect to have separate counsel defend the claim, but the Company will be obligated to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel only if the Company fails to assume the Trustee’s defense or there is a conflict of interest between the Company, on the one hand, and the Trustee, on the other hand, with respect to the claim, as reasonably determined by the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(c)     The obligations of the Company under this Section 10.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(d)     To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

(e)     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 9.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 10.08.     Replacement of Trustee.

 

(a)     A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 10.08.

 

(b)     The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)     the Trustee fails or ceases to comply with Section 10.10;

 

(2)     the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)     a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)     the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

(c)     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

(d)     If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)     If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with the obligations imposed on it under TIA §310(b) or Section 10.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)     A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided, however that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 10.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 10.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 10.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 10.09.     Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 10.10.     Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities, that has (or its corporate parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition and that is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

 

Section 10.11.     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

Section 10.12.     Trustee in Other Capacities.

 

References to the Trustee in Sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04, 10.07, 10.08 and 10.09 shall be understood to include the Trustee when acting in other capacities under the Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, including, without limitation, as Collateral Agent and Paying Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, such Sections shall be read to apply to the Collateral Agent and the Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents, mutatis mutandis, in addition to this Indenture. The privileges, rights, indemnities and exculpatory provisions contained in this Indenture shall apply to the Trustee, wherever it is acting under the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

Section 10.13.     Credit Bid.

 

(a)     The Trustee, on behalf of itself and the Holders, shall have the right, exercisable at the discretion and direction of the Holders of not less than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, to credit bid and purchase for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders all or any portion of Collateral at any sale thereof conducted by the Trustee under the provisions of the UCC, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the UCC, at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Law, including Section 363 thereof, or a sale under a plan of reorganization, or at any other sale or foreclosure conducted by the Trustee (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with applicable law. Such credit bid or purchase may be completed through one or more acquisition vehicles formed by the Trustee to make such credit bid or purchase and, in connection therewith, the Trustee is authorized, on behalf of itself and the other Holders, to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles, and assign the applicable obligations to any such acquisition vehicle in exchange for Equity Interests and/or debt issued by the applicable acquisition vehicle (which shall be deemed to be held for the ratable account of the applicable Holders on the basis of the obligations so assigned by each Holder); provided, however that any actions by the Trustee with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, irrespective of the termination of this Indenture and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding contained in Section 12.03.

 

(b)     Each Holder hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates that is a Holder, that, except as otherwise provided in any Note Document or with the written consent of the Trustee and the Holders of not less than 50% in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, it will not take any enforcement action, accelerate obligations under any of the Note Documents, or exercise any right that it might otherwise have under applicable law to credit bid at foreclosure sales, UCC sales or other similar dispositions of Collateral.

 

 

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 11.01.     Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 11.02 or 11.03 be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eleven.

 

Section 11.02.     Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to this Indenture and the Security Documents and all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged with respect to their obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Security Documents on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and Guarantees, respectively, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 11.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 11.02, and shall be deemed discharged from the payment and performance of all other obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from Funds in Trust (as defined in Section 11.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section) payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) subject to clause (a) of this Section 11.02, the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article Two and Section 7.02, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (d) this Article Eleven. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option pursuant to this Section 11.02, the Subsidiary Guarantees will terminate with respect to the Notes, and payment of the Notes may not be accelerated pursuant to Section 9.02 because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article Eleven, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section 11.02 applied to any Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 11.03 applied to such Notes.

 

Section 11.03.     Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, be released from its obligations, and each Restricted Subsidiary shall be released from its obligations, under the covenants contained in Sections 7.22 through 7.30, the covenants set forth in the Security Documents and the limitations set forth in clause (3) of Section 8.01(a) with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 11.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 9.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture, the Security Documents and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.01 of the option applicable to this Section 11.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.04, (i) Sections 9.01(6), (7), (8) (clauses (7) and (8) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), and Sections 9.01(9) and (10) shall not constitute Events of Default and (ii) payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 9.01(4), (5), (6), (7), (8) (clauses (7) and (8) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), or Sections 9.01(9) and (10) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) of Section 8.01(a).

 

Section 11.04.     Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 11.02 or 11.03 to the outstanding Notes:

 

(a)     the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Notes cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations denominated in United States dollars, or a combination thereof (“Funds in Trust”), in such amounts as, in the aggregate, will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, to pay and discharge the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity (or the applicable redemption date) (in each case assuming the payment of interest as Cash Interest through such date), if at or prior to electing either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable notice to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption date, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to Stated Maturity or to a particular redemption date);

 

(b)     in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

 

(c)     in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States confirming that the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

 

(d)     no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than an Event of Default or Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens securing such Indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit);

 

(e)     such deposit shall not result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or the Security Documents) to which the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or if such breach or default would occur, which is not waived as of, or for all purposes, on or after, the date of such deposit;

 

(f)     the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Notes or any Guarantee over the other creditors of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or others; and

 

(g)     the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

 

Section 11.05.     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)     Subject to Section 11.06, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 11.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 11.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b)     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 11.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

(c)     Anything in this Article Eleven to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 11.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, nationally recognized investment banking firm, or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 11.04(a)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 11.06.     Repayment to the Company.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon its request; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders.

 

Section 11.07.     Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.02 or 11.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations to make the related payments under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.02 or 11.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 11.02 or 11.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 12.01.     Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

(a)     Notwithstanding Section 12.02, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may modify, supplement or amend this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement without the consent of any Holder of a Note to:

 

(1)     cure any ambiguity, omission, defect, mistake or inconsistency;

 

(2)     provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof;

 

(3)     provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided, however that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

 

(4)     add guarantors or Collateral with respect to the Notes, including Subsidiary Guarantors, or release a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee and terminate such Subsidiary Guarantee or terminate a Lien securing the Notes; provided, however that the release and termination is in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

 

(5)     secure the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(6)     add to the covenants of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(7)     make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

 

(8)     comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(9)     provide for the succession of a successor Trustee; provided, however that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under this Indenture;

 

(10)     make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents;

 

(11)      provide for the issuance of PIK Interest Notes or to increase the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, in each case in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

 

(12)     make any change as provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement; or

 

(13)     provide for conversion adjustments in accordance with Article Four in connection with a Reorganization Event.

 

In addition, the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended in accordance with its terms and without the consent of any Holder, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent with the consent of the parties thereto or otherwise in accordance with its terms; provided, however that such amendment does not affect the rights, duties, protections, indemnities, immunities or obligations of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. The Intercreditor Agreement will also provide that in certain circumstances the Security Documents may be amended automatically without the consent of Holders of Notes, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in connection with any amendments to corresponding security documents creating Prior Liens; provided, however that such amendment does not affect the rights, duties, protections, indemnities, immunities or obligations of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)     Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the documents described in Section 16.04 and Section 12.06, the Trustee or Collateral Agent shall join with the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor in the execution of any amendment or supplement authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to enter into such amendment or supplement that affects its own rights, duties, protections, obligations, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 12.02.     With Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

(a)     Except as provided below in this Section 12.02, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, the PIK Interest Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes); provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (including, without limitation, PIK Interest Notes, if any) voting as a single class:

 

(1)     reduce the percentage in principal amount of such outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)     reduce the stated rate of or change the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(3)     reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note;

 

(4)     reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07 and Section 3.08 hereof; other than modifications of Sections 7.26 and 7.30 or provisions relating thereto;

 

(5)     make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note;

 

(6)     waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

 

(7)     modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes;

 

(8)     release all or substantially all of the collateral subject to the Liens created by the Security Documents (except with respect to releases permitted under this Indenture)

 

(9)     adversely affect the right of Holders to convert the Notes other than as provided in this Indenture; or

 

(10)     make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders.

 

(b)     The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or its duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

 

(c)     Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amendment, supplement or waiver, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the documents described in Section 12.06 and Section 16.04, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall join with the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor in the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver unless such amendment, supplement or waiver directly affects the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s own rights, duties, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

(d)     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

(e)     After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 12.02 becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders of Notes a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 12.03.     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 12.04.     Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 12.05.     Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

(a)     The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

(b)     Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 12.06.     Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture or Note authorized pursuant to this Article Twelve if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture or Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

Section 13.01.     Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

(a)     Subject to this Article Thirteen, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantees, on a senior secured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

(b)     The Subsidiary Guarantors agree that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Subject to Section 9.06, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(c)     If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

(d)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Nine for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Nine, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its Guarantee shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Subsidiary Guarantor, in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor determined in accordance with GAAP, so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

 

(e)     In respect to its obligations under its Guarantee, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees to be bound to, and hereby covenants, with respect to itself, the covenant set forth in Section 7.06.

 

Section 13.02.     Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Article Thirteen, will result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

 

Section 13.03.     Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee.

 

(a)     To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01, with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, a Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form included in Exhibit D hereto endorsed by an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

(b)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

 

(c)     If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a notation of Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

 

(d)     The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Section 13.04.     Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

(a)     A Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all of its obligations under its Guarantee without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes:

 

(1)     in the event that a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving entity in such transaction to a Person which is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 7.26.

 

(2)     if the Company designates such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation complies with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture or if the Subsidiary Guarantor no longer meets the definition of Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)     if such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor under a Credit Facility, and is not a borrower under the First Lien Credit Agreement; provided, however that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(4)     upon a satisfaction and discharge or a legal or covenant defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article Eleven or Article Fifteen.

 

(b)     Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Thirteen.

 

ARTICLE FOURTEEN
COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

Section 14.01.     The Collateral Agent. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Collateral Agent to act as its agent under the Security Documents and irrevocably authorized the Collateral Agent to (i) perform the duties and exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically given to it under the Security Documents or other documents to which it is a party, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions, and (ii) execute each document expressed to be executed by the Collateral Agent on its behalf. Each Holder agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by this Indenture and the Security Documents. The Collateral Agent will have no duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Security Documents to which it is party; provided, however that no provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Collateral Agent from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing:

 

(a)     The duties and obligations of the Collateral Agent shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable to any party hereto or to any Security Document to which it is a party by reason of any failure on the part of any other party hereto or any maker, guarantor, endorser or other signatory of any document or any other Person to perform such Person’s obligations under any such document.

 

(b)     The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible in any manner for the validity, enforceability or sufficiency of this Indenture, the Security Documents or any Collateral delivered under the Security Documents, or for the value or collectability of any Notes or for any representations made or obligations assumed by any party other than the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to examine or inquire into or be liable for any defect or failure in the right or title of the Grantors to all or any of the assets whether such defect or failure was known to the Collateral Agent or might have been discovered upon examination or inquiry and whether capable of remedy or not.

 

(c)     The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any unsuitability, inadequacy, expiration or unfitness of any security interest created pursuant to any Security Document pertaining to this matter nor shall it be obligated to make any investigation into, and shall be entitled to assume, the adequacy and fitness of any security interest created pursuant to any Security Document pertaining to this matter.

 

(d)     The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or omitted by it in good faith or for any mistake in fact or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith, in each case except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(e)     The Collateral Agent may seek the advice, at the expense of the Company, of legal counsel in the event of any dispute or question as to the construction of any of the provisions of this Indenture or its duties hereunder or under any Security Document or applicable law, and it shall incur no liability and shall be fully protected in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or written opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)     The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, approval or other paper or document it receives in connection with this Indenture or any Security Document.

 

(g)     IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COLLATERAL AGENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS, EVEN IF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE WAS FORESEEABLE OR IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.

 

(h)     In no event shall the Collateral Agent be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder or under any Security Document because of circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, strikes, work stoppages, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes, fire, riot, embargo, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations, governmental action or the like which delay, restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture or any Security Document.

 

(i)     The Collateral Agent agrees to accept and act upon facsimile transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture or any Security Document; provided, however that (i) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Collateral Agent in a timely manner, and (ii) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.

 

(j)     The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to seek written directions from the requisite Holders prior to taking any action under this Indenture or any Security Document or with respect to any Collateral.

 

(k)     Except with respect to its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to any Holder for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Security Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

 

(l)     The Collateral Agent shall have no responsibility for or liability with respect to monitoring compliance of any other party to the Security Documents, this Indenture or any other document related hereto or thereto. The Collateral Agent has no duty to monitor the value or rating of any Collateral on an ongoing basis.

 

(m)     No provision of this Indenture or any Security Document shall require the Collateral Agent to expend, advance or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under this Indenture or in any of the Security Documents or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers hereunder or under any of the Security Documents unless it is indemnified to its satisfaction and the Collateral Agent shall have no liability to any Person for any loss occasioned by any delay in taking or failure to take any such action while it is awaiting an indemnity satisfactory to it.

 

(n)     Whenever in the administration of this Indenture or any Security Document the Collateral Agent shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Collateral Agent (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, conclusively rely upon instructions from the requisite Holders.

 

(o)     The Collateral Agent may act and rely and shall be protected in acting and relying in good faith on the opinion or advice of, or information obtained from, any counsel, accountant, investment banker, appraiser or other expert or adviser, whether retained or employed by the Holders or by the Collateral Agent.

 

(p)     The Collateral Agent may employ or retain such counsel, accountants, sub-agent, agent or attorney in fact, appraisers or other experts or advisers as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining and discharging its rights and duties hereunder and shall not be responsible for the actions of any such parties it appoints with due care.

 

(q)     The Collateral Agent may request that the requisite Holders or other parties deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture or any Security Document.

 

(r)     Money held by the Collateral Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Collateral Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent in writing.

 

(s)     Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Lien or security interest in the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords similar collateral and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral, by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee.

 

(t)     The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens on any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Collateral Agent, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to or monitor the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents.

 

(u)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Collateral Agent from and against any claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages or reasonable costs or expenses of whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the following in respect of the Collateral:

 

(w)     the presence, disposal, release, or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials which are on, from, or affecting the soil, water, vegetation, buildings, personal property, Persons or animals; (x) any personal injury (including wrongful death) or property damage (real or personal) arising out of or related to such Hazardous Materials; (y) any lawsuit brought or threatened, settlement reached, or government order relating to such Hazardous Materials, and/or (z) any violation of laws, orders, regulations, requirements or demands of government authorities, which are based upon or in any way related to such Hazardous Materials including, reasonable attorney and consultant fees and expenses, reasonable investigation and laboratory fees, court costs, and reasonable litigation expenses, except, in each case, where such claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs or expenses arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Collateral Agent as determined in a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this paragraph, “Hazardous Materials” includes radioactive materials, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous or toxic substances defined in CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Sections 5108, et seq.), the RCRA, and in the regulations adopted and publications promulgated pursuant thereto, or any other Federal, state or local environmental law, ordinance, rule, or regulation. The provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition to any and all other obligations and liabilities the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may have to the Collateral Agent at common law, and shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

(v)     The Collateral Agent reserves the right to conduct an environmental audit prior to foreclosing on any real estate Collateral or mortgage Collateral. The Collateral Agent reserves the right to forebear from foreclosing in its own name if to do so may expose it to undue risk.

 

(w)     Upon any payment or distribution of assets hereunder or under any Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which an insolvency or liquidation proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution in such insolvency or liquidation proceeding, delivered to the Collateral Agent, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto.

 

(x)     In the event that, following a foreclosure in respect of any Property, the Collateral Agent acquires title to any portion of such Property or takes any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto in order to carry out any fiduciary or trust obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion may cause the Collateral Agent to be considered an “owner or operator” under the provisions of CERCLA or otherwise cause the Collateral Agent to incur liability under CERCLA or any other Federal, state or local law, the Collateral Agent reserves the right, instead of taking such action, to either resign as Collateral Agent or arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court-appointed receiver.

 

(y)     The rights and protections of the Collateral Agent set forth herein shall also be applicable to the Collateral Agent in its roles as mortgagee, beneficiary, pledgee or any of its other roles (including as Collateral Agent) under the Security Documents.

 

(z)     In acting as Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent may rely upon and enforce each and all of the rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and benefits of the Trustee under Article Ten hereof.

 

(aa)     Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary and for the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee shall have no duty to act outside of the United States of America in respect of any Collateral.

 

Section 14.02.     Authority Of Collateral Agent To Release Collateral And Liens. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to authorize the Collateral Agent to release or subordinate any Collateral that is permitted to be sold, reclassified or released or be subject to a Lien pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to authorize the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver to the Company, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Company in connection with any sale, reclassification or other disposition of Oil or Gas Property or such other Collateral to the extent such sale, reclassification or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 7.26 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of this Indenture or the Security Documents.

 

Section 14.03.     Security Documents. (a) To secure the full and punctual payment when due and the full and punctual performance of the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Notes and this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantees), the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall, on the Issue Date:

 

(1)     enter into the Collateral Agreement and deliver to the Trustee or Collateral Agent all certificates representing Capital Stock and other instruments and documents required thereunder to be delivered to the Trustee (or to the First Lien Administrative Agent as gratuitous bailee for the Trustee);

 

(2)     file, register or record all documents and instruments, including UCC financing statements, required by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and to perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents or this Indenture; and

 

(3)     enter into such Security Documents creating Liens on all interests in Property owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary that are subject to any Lien securing the First Lien Secured Indebtedness (or that would be required, under the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on Issue Date, to secure such First Lien Secured Indebtedness if such First Lien Secured Indebtedness were outstanding and such First Lien Credit Agreement were in effect).

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in clause (a) or elsewhere in this Indenture or any Security Document, (1) any mortgages (and any related Security Documents) required to be granted pursuant to clause (a) on the Issue Date with respect to real property that is securing First Lien Secured Indebtedness on the Issue Date shall be granted as soon as commercially reasonable following the Issue Date, but in no event later than 30 days following the Issue Date (it being understood any such mortgages shall be accompanied by customary local counsel opinions (but limited only to those jurisdictions in which local counsel opinions were delivered to the First Lien Administrative Agent in connection with the mortgages granted pursuant to the First Lien Secured Indebtedness)) and (2) any control agreements required to be entered into pursuant to clause (a) with respect to deposit accounts and securities accounts that are securing First Lien Secured Indebtedness on the Issue Date shall be entered into as soon as commercially reasonably following the Issue Date, but in no event later than 30 days following the Issue Date. The Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee certifying to the satisfaction of the foregoing obligations in this Section 14.03(b) promptly upon the completion thereof.

 

(c)     On or after the Issue Date, the Company and the other Grantors shall enter into additional Security Documents and take or cause to be taken all such actions as may be required pursuant to this Indenture or under any Security Document to create, perfect and maintain, as security for the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Notes, this Indenture (including the Subsidiary Guarantors) and the Security Documents, a valid and enforceable perfected second-priority Lien and security interest in all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents in all respects) in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders.

 

(d)     Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents entered into on the Issue Date or from time to time thereafter (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as each may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(e)     In the event that security interests in any of the Collateral are not created as of the Issue Date, the Company and the other Grantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to implement security arrangements with respect to such Collateral as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Issue Date (or on such later date as may be permitted by the Holders in their sole discretion).

 

(f)     Each Holder, by accepting the Notes, is deemed to acknowledge that, as more fully set forth in the Security Documents, the Collateral as now or hereafter constituted shall be for the benefit of all the Holders, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the other secured parties described in the Security Documents and that the Lien granted in the Security Documents relating to the Notes in respect of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Holders and such other secured parties is subject to and qualified and limited in all respects by the Security Documents and actions that may be taken thereunder.

 

Section 14.04.     Intercreditor Agreement.

 

By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to acknowledge that the obligations of the Company under the First Lien Credit Agreement and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof are and shall be secured by Liens on assets of the Company and the other Grantors that constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and that the relative Lien priorities and other creditor rights of the Holders hereunder and the secured parties thereunder will be set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to acknowledge that it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to (a) consent to the subordination of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreement and any documents relating thereto, in each case on behalf of such Holder and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Holder, (c) agrees that, upon the execution and delivery thereof, such Holder will be bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (d) agrees that no Holder shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Trustee or the Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 14.04 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. By accepting a Note, each Holder is deemed to further irrevocably authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (i) to take such actions as shall be required to release Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) to enter into such amendments, supplements or other modifications to the Intercreditor Agreement in connection with any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Notes or any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof as are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and Collateral Agent to give effect thereto, in each case on behalf of such Holder and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Holder. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have the benefit of the provisions of Article Ten with respect to all actions taken by it pursuant to this Section 14.04 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement to the full extent thereof.

 

Section 14.05.     Release of Collateral. (a) The Collateral will be automatically released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents or as provided hereby under any one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(1)     in connection with asset sales and dispositions permitted or not prohibited under Section 7.26 so long as, to the extent applicable, the Company applies the net proceeds of such sale or disposition in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.08(a); provided, however that such Liens will not be released if such sale or disposition is to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)     with respect to the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor that constitute Collateral, upon the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee; and

 

(3)     as described in Section 12.02; and

 

(4)     if required in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)     The Liens on all Collateral that secures the Notes and the Guarantees also will be released:

 

(1)     if the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option as described in Article Eleven; or

 

(2)     upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as described in Article Fifteen or payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes and all other Obligations that are then due and payable.

 

The Company will comply with the provisions of TIA §314. To the extent applicable, the Company will comply with TIA §314(d), relating to the release of property or securities or relating to the substitution therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien of the Security Documents. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA §314(d) may be made by an Officer of the Company except in cases where TIA §314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Company will not be required to comply with all or any portion of TIA §314(d) if it determines, in good faith based on advice of counsel, that under the terms of TIA §314(d) and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the Commission and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of TIA §314(d) is inapplicable to one or a series of released Collateral. For the purposes of the TIA or otherwise under this Indenture, the release of any Collateral from the terms of the Security Documents shall not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture or the Security Documents. To the extent permitted under the TIA and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, the fair value of Collateral released from the Liens and security interest created by this Indenture and the Security Documents pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents shall not be considered in determining whether the aggregate fair value of the Collateral released from the Liens and security interest created by this Indenture and the Security Documents in any calendar year exceeds the 10% threshold specified in TIA §314(d)(1).

 

(c)     Upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such release (and the execution, delivery and acknowledgement of the instruments specified below) is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all relevant conditions precedent under this Indenture have been met, the Collateral Agent will execute, deliver or acknowledge any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 14.06.     Form and Sufficiency of Release. In the event that (i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of or proposes to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any portion of the Collateral that may be sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed of by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor requests the Trustee or the Collateral Agent to furnish a written disclaimer, release or quit-claim of any interest in such property under this Indenture and the Security Documents and (iii) all conditions set forth herein and for execution, acknowledgement and delivery of such an instrument have been satisfied, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such release (and the execution, delivery and acknowledgement of such an instrument) is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all relevant conditions precedent under this Indenture thereto have been met, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, as applicable, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor (in proper form) such an instrument. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, all purchasers and grantees of any property or rights purporting to be released herefrom shall be entitled to rely upon any release executed by the Collateral Agent hereunder as sufficient for the purpose of this Indenture and as constituting a good and valid release of the property therein described from the Lien of this Indenture or of the Security Documents.

 

Section 14.07.     After-Acquired Property. Promptly, but in no event later than 90 days, following the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any After Acquired Property, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, Security Document supplements, security instruments and financing statements as shall be reasonably necessary to cause such After Acquired Property to be made subject to a perfected Lien (subject to Liens permitted under this Indenture, including Permitted Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such After Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect; provided, however, that while the First Lien Credit Agreement is outstanding, the execution and delivery of such documents will only be required, and such After Acquired Property will only become part of the Collateral securing the Notes, if and to the extent that such After Acquired Property becomes part of the Collateral securing the First Lien Credit Agreement substantially concurrently therewith.

 

ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 15.01.     Satisfaction and Discharge.

 

This Indenture and the Security Documents will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes and as otherwise expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture when:

 

(a)     either:

 

(1)     all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust as provided for in this Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(2)     all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise;

 

(b)     the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for such purpose cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations denominated in United States dollars, or a combination thereof, in such amounts sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest at such Maturity, Stated Maturity or redemption date;

 

(c)     the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(d)     the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Security Documents have been complied with; and

 

(e)     the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee hereunder to apply any deposited money described in clause (b) above to the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

Section 15.02.     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)     Subject to Section 15.03, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 15.02, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 15.01 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding the above, the Trustee shall pay to the Company from time to time upon its request any cash or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Section 15.02 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect a satisfaction and discharge under this Article Fifteen.

 

Section 15.03.     Repayment to the Company.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Conversion Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee, such Paying Agent or such Conversion Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company comply with the Commission Regulation 17AD-17 as it applies to lost bondholders.

 

Section 15.04.     Reinstatement.

 

Section 11.07 of this Indenture shall apply to this Article Fifteen.

 

ARTICLE SIXTEEN
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 16.01.     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 16.02.     Notices.

 

(a)     Any notice or communication by either of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, or the Trustee on the other hand, to the other is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 780-9254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association
15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248

Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238
Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

 

(b)     The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

(c)     All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (iii) when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; (iv) and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

(d)     Any notice or communication to a Holder (i) of a Global Note shall be given in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary, and (ii) otherwise shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be delivered to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

(e)     If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

(f)     If the Company delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 16.03.     Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, and Conversion Agent and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).

 

Section 16.04.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee: (1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 16.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and (2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 16.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely on such Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied. To the extent applicable, the Company shall also comply with TIA §314(c)(3).

 

Section 16.05.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and shall include:

 

(1)     a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2)     a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)     a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)     a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 16.06.     Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 16.07.     No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, this Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 16.08.     Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

EACH PARTY (INCLUDING THE HOLDERS) HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

EACH PARTY (INCLUDING THE HOLDERS) HEREBY AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.

 

TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, THE CITY OF NEW YORK, OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OF NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY IN SUCH JURISDICTION, IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES OR GUARANTEES, AS APPLICABLE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

Section 16.09.     Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the TIA. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by the TIA including TIA §318(c), the imposed duties shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

 

Section 16.10.     Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01 or 13.04.

 

Section 16.11.     Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 16.12.     Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture, and each party hereto may sign any number of separate copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 16.13.     Acts of Holders.

 

(a)     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by the Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing, and may be given or obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, outstanding Notes; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company if made in the manner provided in this Section 16.13.

 

(b)     The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such witness, notary or officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 16.13, the principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Holder, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar as provided in Section 2.04.

 

(d)     If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of the Notes any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA §316(c), such record date shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith or the date of the most recent list of Holders forwarded to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.06 and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the then outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the then outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided, however that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

 

(e)     Subject to Section 12.04, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration or transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

(f)     Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so itself with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

 

(g)     For purposes of this Indenture, any action by the Holders which may be taken in writing may be taken by electronic means or as otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Section 16.14.     Benefit of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Registrar and its successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 16.15.     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Company:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

By:     ____________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

By:     ____________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Trustee:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as

Trustee and Collateral Agent

 

 

By:     ____________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Face of Initial Note]

 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.]1

 

[THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION, INCLUDING (X) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (Y) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (Z) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (III) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND THE REGISTRAR REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THEM, AND, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.] 2

 

 

 

 

 

CUSIP:

No.     Principal Amount: $

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, for value received, promises to pay to, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] ($[ ]) UNITED STATES DOLLARS on May [ ], 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). If the Holder delivers a written notice to the Company on or before the Maturity Date requesting that any portion of the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the Note (together with any accrued and unpaid interest) be made in Common Stock, the Company shall convert the Conversion Amount into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Rate. If the Holder makes an election as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall be entitled to (i) deliver shares of Common Stock to the Holder, (ii) pay the Holder an amount in cash equal to the market value of the shares calculated using the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Conversion Date; provided that the Company may not elect to deliver cash in respect of any Conversion Obligation in an aggregate amount exceeding 10% of the Conversion Obligation on any Conversion Date, or (iii) any combination thereof.

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2019.

 

Regular Record Dates: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,
a Delaware corporation

 

By:     ____________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

 

 

 

 

(Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

 

This is one of the 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee

 

By:

____________________________________
Authorized Signatory

 

Date:     ____________________________________

 

 

 

 

[Reverse Side of Initial Note]

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.     Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 13.50% per annum until maturity; provided, however, that in the event that the Company fails to comply with its obligations under Section 14.03(b) of the Indenture, and for so long as such failure shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate that is .25% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise applicable to this Note from time to time for the first month that such failure is continuing, commencing on and including the first day of the next succeeding month, and thereafter, such interest rate shall increase by an additional .25% for each month thereafter for so long as such failure is continuing, each such increase commencing on and including the first day of each succeeding month: any such additional interest payable pursuant to this proviso shall be paid on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date to the Holders on the related record date for such Interest Payment Date. For any interest period ending other than at Stated Maturity, the Company may elect to pay all or any portion of interest in kind on the then outstanding principal amount of this Note by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Notes or by issuing additional Notes (“PIK Interest Notes”) in a principal amount equal to such interest (“PIK Interest”). The Company shall pay interest quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Notes) or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of original issuance; provided, however that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be July 15, 2019. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at one percentage point in excess of the rate then in effect on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at such higher rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any payment date with respect to the Notes is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period provided such payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

2.     Method of Payment. Except as provided in Section (1) of this Note, interest on the Notes shall be payable entirely in cash (“Cash Interest”). The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest, if any) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder of the Notes has given wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 10 Business Days before payment is due, the Company shall pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with those instructions to an account in the United States. All other payments on the Notes shall be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company in the City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make Cash Interest payments by check, or PIK Payments by PIK Interest Notes that are Definitive Notes, mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Payments of Cash Interest to the Trustee as Paying Agent, if the Trustee then acts as Paying Agent, with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be made by the Company in immediately available funds for receipt by the Trustee no later than 1:00 p.m. New York Time on such Interest Payment Date. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and Cash Interest on, Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note. The Company will make PIK Payments on Global Notes held by the Depositary or its nominee, to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Note.

 

The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and Cash Interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent designated by the Company and maintained for such purpose, except as noted in the preceding paragraph. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

(i)      In connection with the payment of PIK Interest in respect of the Notes, the Company shall be entitled, without the consent of the Holders thereof (and without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in Section 7.22 of the Indenture), to make such PIK Payments by (i) issuing PIK Interest Notes or (ii) increasing the outstanding principal amount of the then authenticated Global Notes.

 

(ii)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the payment of accrued interest in connection with any redemption or repurchase of the Notes as described under Sections 3.07, 3.08 and 7.30 of the Indenture or at Stated Maturity will be made solely in cash. If the Company elects to pay interest on the Notes as a combination of Cash Interest and as PIK Interest, Cash Interest and PIK Interest shall be paid on the Notes to the Holders on a pro rata basis.

 

 

PIK Interest on the Notes will be payable (a) with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of, or held by, DTC or its nominee on the relevant record date, by increasing the principal amount of such Global Note by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) as provided in writing by an Officer of the Company to the Trustee and, upon receipt of such written order of the Company, the Trustee shall increase such Global Note by the amount of PIK Interest and (y) with respect to Definitive Notes, by issuing PIK Interest Notes in certificated form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee shall, at the request of the Company and upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Interest Notes in certificated form for original issuance to the Holders on the relevant record date, as shown by the records of the register of Holders. Following an increase in the principal amount of the outstanding Global Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest, the Global Notes shall bear interest on such increased principal amount from and after the date of such payment. Any PIK Interest Notes issued in certificated form shall be dated as of the applicable Interest Payment Date and shall bear interest from and after such date. All PIK Interest Notes issued pursuant to a payment of PIK Interest shall be governed by, and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of, the Indenture and shall have the same rights and benefits as the Notes issued on the Issue Date. Any certificated PIK Interest Notes shall be issued with the description “PIK” on the face of such PIK Interest Note.

 

3.     Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity (except for purposes of Articles Eleven or Fourteen under the Indenture).

 

4.     Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May [  ], 2019 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.     Conversion of Notes. This Note shall be convertible by the Holder into shares of Common Stock on the terms and conditions (and the Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment) as set forth in the Indenture.

 

6.     Optional Redemption. The Notes shall be redeemable at the option of the Company as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

 

7.     Mandatory Redemption. The Notes shall be redeemed by the Company as provided in Article Three of the Indenture.

 

8.     Repurchase at Option of Holders.

 

(a)     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder may require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes in whole or in part in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof following any PIK Payment), at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the rights of Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), pursuant to a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

(b)     Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply the proceeds of sale, assignment or other transfer of Property to the repayment of the Notes.

 

9.     Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Company shall notify the Trustee of any such listing) or, if the Notes are not so listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or in the case of Global Notes, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).

 

10.     Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. Subject to the issuance of PIK Interest Notes as described herein, the Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (or, following any PIK Payment, in minimum denominations of $1.00 and any integral multiple of $1.00 in excess thereof). The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or other governmental taxes and fees payable in connection therewith. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

 

11.     Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

12.     Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented only as provided in the Indenture.

 

13.     Defaults. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization specified in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default of Event of Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected) or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment.

 

14.     Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

15.     No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

16.     Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

17.     CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be place only on the other identification number placed thereon.

 

18.     Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 780-9254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT I

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

Reference is made to the Convertible Second Lien Secured Notes due 2021 (the “Note”) issued to the undersigned by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Note) of the Note indicated below into shares of Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) of the Company, as of the date specified below.

 

Date of Conversion:

 

Aggregate Conversion Amount to be converted:

 

Please confirm the following information:

 

Conversion Price:

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:

 

Please issue the Common Stock into which the Note is being converted in the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:

 

Facsimile Number:

 

Authorization:

 

By:  

Title:

 

Dated:

 

Account Number:

(if electronic book entry transfer)

 

Transaction Code Number:

(if electronic book entry transfer)

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice and hereby directs its transfer agent to issue the above-indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Conversion Agent Instructions dated [ ] from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by .

 

     

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

   

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

__________________________________________

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this
Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date: ______________________

 

Signature: ____________________

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*: _________________

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

 

 

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

[  ] Section 7.30

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 7.30 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

 

Date: ____________________

 

Your Signature:

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of
this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.: _______________________

 

Signature Guarantee*: ________________________

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note

Amount of Increase in Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note

Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note Following such Decrease (or Increase)

       

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 780-9254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association
15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248
Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238
Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

 

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

__________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to ____________ the (“Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

1.     [  ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

2.     [  ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Permanent Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3.     [  ] Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)     [  ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or

 

(b)     [ ] such Transfer is being effect to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or

 

(c)     [  ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes being transferred and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit B-2 to the Indenture and (2) if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, and other certification or information satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. For purposes of this provision, the term “Institutional Accredited Investor” shall mean an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

______________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:     __________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.     The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE]

 

(A)     a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)     [  ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(ii)     [  ] Regulation S Permanent Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(iii)     [  ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(B)     [  ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.     After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE]

 

(A)     a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)     [  ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(ii)     [  ] Regulation S Permanent Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(iii)     [  ] Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(iv)     [  ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP); or

 

(B)     [  ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(C)     [  ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

 

[Date]

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 780-9254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association
15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248
Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238
Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

 

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

In connection with our proposed purchase of $___________ aggregate principal amount of:

 

(a)

☐ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b)

☐ a Definitive Note,

 

We represent and warrant to you that:

 

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

2. We understand that the offer and distribution of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if requested by the Company, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, and other certification or information satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interests therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

 

 

______________________________________
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

 

By:     __________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

[Date]

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 780-9254
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association
15950 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550

Dallas, TX 75248
Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238
Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

 

Re: 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May [ ], 2021 (the “Indenture”) among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

___________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $______________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

(a) ☐ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that (i) the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b) ☐ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Definitive Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

 

______________________________________
[Insert Name of Owner]

 

By:     __________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

 

For value received, each Subsidiary Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (as supplemented or amended, the “Indenture”), among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (as defined in the Indenture), whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal, premium, and interest, to the extent permitted by law, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee. This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

______________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:     __________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY GUARANTORS

 

GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Guarantor Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of, among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”), the Company’s Subsidiaries listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “New Guarantor”), the Company’s Subsidiaries listed on Schedule B hereto (each, an “Existing Guarantor”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee are parties to an indenture (as supplemented or amended, the “Indenture”), dated as of May [ ], 2019, providing for the issuance of the Company’s 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, Section 12.01 of the Indenture provides that, without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may modify, supplement or amend the Indenture to add a Guarantor or additional obligor under the Indenture or permit any Person to guarantee the Notes and/or obligations under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, each New Guarantor wishes to guarantee the Notes pursuant to the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company, the Existing Guarantors, the New Guarantors and the Trustee have agreed to enter into this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture for the purposes stated herein; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture, when executed and delivered by the Company, the Existing Guarantors and each New Guarantor, the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, the Existing Guarantors and each New Guarantor, in accordance with its terms.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, each New Guarantor, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

(1)     Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(2)     Guarantee. Each New Guarantor hereby guarantees the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes related thereto pursuant to the terms and conditions of Article Thirteen of the Indenture, such Article Thirteen being incorporated by reference herein as if set forth at length herein (each such guarantee, a “Guarantee”) and such New Guarantor agrees to be bound as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture as if it had been an initial signatory thereto; provided, however that the New Guarantor can be released from its Guarantee to the same extent as any other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

(3)     GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(4)     Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

(5)     Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

(6)     The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company, Existing Guarantors and the New Guarantors.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Guarantor Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

Dated:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION
a Delaware corporation

 

By:     _________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A HERETO

 

By:     _________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON
SCHEDULE B HERETO

 

By:     _________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee

 

By:

_________________________________
Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule A

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule B

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7.27

 

AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

 

[None.]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

 

 

[FORM OF]

 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of May [ ], 2019 between

 

SUNTRUST BANK,

 

as Priority Lien Agent,

 

and

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Second Lien Agent

 

and Acknowledged and Agreed by

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.,

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION,

 

and the other Grantors referred to herein

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.     Construction; Certain Defined Terms                         1

 

ARTICLE II
LIEN PRIORITIES

 

Section 2.01.     Relative Priorities                                   12

 

Section 2.02.     Prohibition on Marshalling, Etc                         13

 

Section 2.03.     No New Liens                                        13

 

Section 2.04.     Similar Collateral and Agreements                         13

 

Section 2.05.     No Duties of Priority Lien Agent                         13

 

ARTICLE III
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS; PURCHASE OPTION

 

Section 3.01.     Limitation on Enforcement Action                         14

 

Section 3.02.     Standstill Period; Permitted Enforcement Action               15

 

Section 3.03.     Insurance                                        16

 

Section 3.04.     Notification of Release of Collateral                         16

 

Section 3.05.     No Interference; Payment Over                         17

 

Section 3.06.     Purchase Option                                   18

 

ARTICLE IV
OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

Section 4.01.     Release of Liens; Automatic Release of Second Liens          21

 

Section 4.02.     Certain Agreements With Respect to Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings                                                       21

 

Section 4.03.     Reinstatement                                        25

 

Section 4.04.     Refinancings                                        26

 

Section 4.05.     Amendments to Priority Lien Documents and Second Lien Documents                                                                 27

 

Section 4.06.     Legends                                        28

 

Section 4.07.     Second Lien Secured Parties Rights as Unsecured Creditors; Judgment Lien Creditor                                                  28

 

Section 4.08.     Postponement of Subrogation                              28

 

Section 4.09.     Acknowledgment by the Secured Debt Representatives          28

 

Section 4.10.     Permitted Prepayments of Second Lien Obligations               28

 

ARTICLE V
GRATUITOUS BAILMENT FOR PERFECTION OF CERTAIN SECURITY INTERESTS

 

Section 5.01.     General                                        29

 

Section 5.02.     Deposit Accounts                                   30

 

ARTICLE VI
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS; DETERMINATION OF AMOUNTS

 

Section 6.01.     Application of Proceeds                              30

 

Section 6.02.     Determination of Amounts                              30

 

ARTICLE VII
NO RELIANCE; NO LIABILITY; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE; CONSENT OF GRANTORS; ETC.

 

Section 7.01.     No Reliance; Information                              31

 

Section 7.02.     No Warranties or Liability                              31

 

Section 7.03.     Obligations Absolute                                   32

 

Section 7.04.     Grantors Consent                                   32

 

ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 8.01.     Representations and Warranties of Each Party               33

 

Section 8.02.     Representations and Warranties of Each Representative          33

 

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01.     Notices                                        33

 

Section 9.02.     Waivers; Amendment                                   34

 

Section 9.03.     Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance                    35

 

Section 9.04.     Parties in Interest                                   35

 

Section 9.05.     Survival of Agreement                              35

 

Section 9.06.     Counterparts                                        35

 

Section 9.07.     Severability                                        35

 

Section 9.08.     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process          36

 

Section 9.09.     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL                              36

 

Section 9.10.     Headings                                        36

 

Section 9.11.     Conflicts                                        36

 

Section 9.12.     Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights                    37

 

Section 9.13.     Certain Terms Concerning the Second Lien Agent               37

 

Section 9.14.     Certain Terms Concerning the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent                                                       37

 

Section 9.15.     Authorization of Secured Agents                         37

 

Section 9.16.     Further Assurances                                   38

 

Section 9.17.     Relationship of Secured Parties                         38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex and Exhibits

 

Annex I

 

Exhibit A     Form of Priority Confirmation Joinder

Exhibit B     Security Documents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), between SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties referred to herein (in such capacity, and together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Original Priority Lien Agent”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as collateral agent for the Second Lien Secured Parties referred to herein (in such capacity, and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Original Second Lien Agent”) and acknowledged and agreed by Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Guarantor” and together with the Company, “Goodrich”), and certain subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Reference is made to (a) the Priority Credit Agreement (defined below) and (b) the Second Lien Indenture (defined below).

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Priority Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties) and the Second Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties) agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I     
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.     Construction; Certain Defined Terms. 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, (i) any reference herein to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

(b)     All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in Article 1, 8 or 9 of the New York UCC (whether capitalized herein or not) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in Article 1, 8 or 9 of the New York UCC. If a term is defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and another Article of the New York UCC, such term shall have the meaning assigned to it in Article 9 of the New York UCC.

 

(c)     As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

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.

 

Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

Bank Product” means each and any of the following bank services and products provided to Goodrich or any other Grantor by any lender under the Priority Credit Agreement or any Priority Substitute Credit Facility or any Affiliate of any such lender: (a) commercial credit cards; (b) stored value cards; and (c) Treasury Management Arrangements (including controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

Bank Product Obligations” means any and all obligations of Goodrich or any other Grantor, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with any Bank Product.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.

 

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in Houston, Texas or in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capital Stock” of any Person 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 interests, provided that any debt that is convertible into Capital Stock is not “Capital Stock” unless or until such instrument is converted or exchanged.

 

Collateral” means all of the assets and property of any Grantor, whether real, personal or mixed, constituting the Priority Lien Collateral, or the Second Lien Collateral, or both.

 

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. For the purposes of this definition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of the directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” such other Person. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Credit Agreement Debt” means the indebtedness under the Priority Credit Agreement (including letters of credit and reimbursement obligations with respect thereto) that was permitted to be incurred and secured under the Priority Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Indenture, or any Second Lien Substitute Facility (or as to which the lenders under the Priority Credit Agreement obtained an Officers’ Certificate at the time of incurrence to the effect that such indebtedness was permitted to be incurred and secured by all applicable Secured Debt Documents) and additional indebtedness under any Priority Substitute Credit Facility. For purposes of this Agreement, indebtedness under the Priority Credit Agreement is permitted to be incurred under the Second Lien Indenture or any Second Lien Substitute Facility.

 

Credit Agreement Obligations” means the Credit Agreement Debt and all other Obligations in respect of or in connection with Credit Agreement Debt together with Hedging Obligations and Bank Product Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Hedging Obligations and Bank Product Obligations shall only constitute Credit Agreement Obligations to the extent that such Hedging Obligations or Bank Product Obligations are secured under the terms of the Priority Lien Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Credit Agreement Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs, and other charges incurred under the Priority Credit Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, and whether or not allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To the extent that any payment with respect to the Credit Agreement Obligations (whether by or on behalf of Goodrich, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off, or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect, set aside, or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, trustee, receiver, or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied will be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.

 

Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Priority Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other lenders and whether provided under the original Priority Credit Agreement or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

 

DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).

 

DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).

 

DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).

 

Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations” means the occurrence of all of the following:

 

(a)     termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute Priority Lien Debt;

 

(b)     payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest, fees and premium (if any) on all Priority Lien Debt (other than any undrawn letters of credit);

 

(c)     discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (i) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (ii) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Obligations;

 

(d)     payment in full in cash of obligations in respect of Hedging Obligations constituting Priority Lien Obligations (and, with respect to any particular agreement regarding Hedging Obligations, termination of such agreement and payment in full in cash of all obligations thereunder or such other arrangements as have been made by the counterparty thereto (and communicated to the Priority Lien Agent) pursuant to the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement); and

 

(e)     payment in full in cash of all other Priority Lien Obligations, including without limitation, Bank Product Obligations, that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the Priority Lien Debt is paid in full in cash (other than any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time);

 

provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, Goodrich or any Grantor enters into any Priority Lien Document evidencing a Priority Lien Obligation which incurrence is not prohibited by the applicable Secured Debt Documents, then such Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement with respect to such new Priority Lien Obligations (other than with respect to any actions taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations), and, from and after the date on which Goodrich designates such indebtedness as Priority Lien Debt in accordance with this Agreement, the obligations under such Priority Lien Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as Priority Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth in this Agreement, any Second Lien Obligations shall be deemed to have been at all times Second Lien Obligations and at no time Priority Lien Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, a Replacement as contemplated by Section 4.04(a) shall not be deemed to cause a Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Disposition” shall mean any sale, lease, exchange, assignment, license, contribution, transfer or other disposition. “Dispose” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

Excess Priority Lien Obligations” means Obligations constituting Priority Lien Obligations for the principal amount of loans, letters of credit and letter of credit reimbursement obligations under the Priority Credit Agreement and/or any other Credit Facility pursuant to which Priority Lien Debt has been issued to the extent that such Obligations for principal, letters of credit and reimbursement obligations are in excess of the amount in clause (a) of the definition of “Priority Lien Cap.”

 

Goodrich” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other Person exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Grantor” means Goodrich, each other subsidiary of Goodrich that shall have granted any Lien in favor of any of the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Agent on any of its assets or properties to secure any of the Secured Obligations.

 

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, the obligations of such Grantor incurred in the normal course of business and not for speculative purposes under 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; provided that obligations under phantom stock or a similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Goodrich shall not be Hedging Obligations.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

 

(a)     any case commenced by or against Goodrich or any other Grantor under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of Goodrich or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to Goodrich or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to Goodrich or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(b)     any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to Goodrich or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

(c)     any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of Goodrich or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

 

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 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.

 

New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Obligations” means any principal (including reimbursement obligations and obligations to provide cash collateral with respect to letters of credit whether or not drawn), interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding), premium (if any), fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any indebtedness.

 

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President or any Assistant Vice President of such Person.

 

Officers Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of Goodrich by any Officers of Goodrich.

 

Original Priority Lien Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

Original Second Lien Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

Permitted Reserve Based Facility” means a reserve based credit facility with lenders holding a majority in principal amount of the commitments thereunder that are (a) commercial bank lenders, (b) investment banks or (c) Affiliates of Persons described in clauses (a) and (b) (but not hedge funds or other alternative capital providers), which, in each case, have experience participating in reserve based credit facilities, and which shall contain a borrowing base determined on a basis substantially consistent with customary terms and advance rates for oil and gas reserve based lending practices. For avoidance of doubt, the Priority Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof (including the lenders parties thereto, the methodology for borrowing base determinations and the initial borrowing base determination thereunder) are agreed to satisfy all requirements for a Permitted Reserve Based Facility.

 

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

 

Priority Confirmation Joinder” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

Priority Credit Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, by and among the Company, as borrower, the Parent Guarantor, the Original Priority Lien Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, as such agreement, in whole or in part, in one or more instances, may be amended, restated, renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced, restructured, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (including, without limitation, any successive amendments, restatements, renewals, extensions, substitutions, foregoing) and any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.

 

Priority Lien” means a Lien granted by Goodrich or any other Grantor in favor of the Priority Lien Agent, at any time, upon any Property of Goodrich or such Grantor to secure Priority Lien Obligations (including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Priority Substitute Credit Facility).

 

Priority Lien Agent” means the Original Priority Lien Agent, and, from and after the date of execution and delivery of a Priority Substitute Credit Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee, collateral trustee or other representative of the lenders or holders of the indebtedness and other Obligations evidenced thereunder or governed thereby, in each case, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

Priority Lien Cap” means, as of any date, (a) the aggregate principal amount of all indebtedness outstanding at any time under any Priority Lien Debt (with outstanding letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the stated amount thereof) to the extent constituting indebtedness pursuant to a Permitted Reserve Based Facility, plus (b) the amount of all Hedging Obligations, to the extent such Hedging Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (c) the amount of all Bank Product Obligations, to the extent such Bank Product Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (d) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest (excluding any interest paid-in-kind) and outstanding fees, to the extent such Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (e) fees, indemnifications, reimbursements and expenses as may be due pursuant to the terms of any Priority Lien Debt. For avoidance of doubt, the Priority Lien Cap (including determination of the criteria for a Permitted Reserve Based Facility) represents an incurrence-only determination and any Priority Lien Debt that falls within the Priority Lien Debt on the date incurred shall remain within the Priority Lien Cap thereafter notwithstanding any borrowing base re-determination or any change in compliance with the criteria for a Permitted Reserve Based Facility.

 

Priority Lien Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral”, as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement or any other Priority Lien Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Priority Lien Obligation.

 

Priority Lien Debt” means the Credit Agreement Debt and all indebtedness incurred under any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.

 

Priority Lien Documents” means the Priority Credit Agreement, the Priority Lien Security Documents, the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement) and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing, or executed or delivered in connection with, any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.

 

Priority Lien Obligations” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and, all other Obligations in respect thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Priority Lien Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs and other charges incurred under the Priority Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Priority Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, (a) the Priority Lien Agent, (b) each lender or issuing bank under the Priority Credit Agreement, (c) each holder, provider or obligee of any Hedging Obligations or Bank Product Obligation that is a lender under the Priority Credit Agreement or an Affiliate (as defined herein or in the Priority Credit Agreement) thereof at the time such Hedging Obligation or Bank Product Obligation is entered into (or, for the avoidance of doubt, if such Hedging Obligation or Bank Product Obligation was entered into prior to the date such holder, provider or obligee became a lender or an Affiliate thereof), or is a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Priority Lien Document, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Priority Lien Document, (e) each other Person that provides letters of credit, guarantees or other credit support related thereto under any Priority Lien Document and (f) each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Credit Agreement Obligations (including pursuant to a Priority Substitute Credit Facility), in each case to the extent designated as a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Priority Lien Document outstanding at such time.

 

Priority Lien Security Documents” means the Priority Credit Agreement (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral), each agreement listed in Part A of Exhibit B hereto, and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by Goodrich or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Priority Lien Agent (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Priority Substitute Credit Facility).

 

Priority Substitute Credit Facility” means any Credit Facility with respect to which the requirements contained in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement have been satisfied and that Replaces the Priority Credit Agreement then in existence. For the avoidance of doubt, no Priority Substitute Credit Facility shall be required to be a revolving or asset-based loan facility and may be a facility evidenced or governed by a credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument; provided that any Priority Lien securing such Priority Substitute Credit Facility shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including the lien priorities as set forth herein as of the date hereof).

 

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.

 

Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.03.

 

Replaces” means, (a) in respect of any agreement with reference to the Priority Credit Agreement or the Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Substitute Credit Facility, that such agreement refunds, refinances or replaces the Priority Credit Agreement, the Priority Lien Obligations or such Priority Substitute Credit Facility in whole (in a transaction that is in compliance with Section 4.04(a)) and that all commitments thereunder are terminated, or, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement, Priority Lien Obligations or such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, in part and (b) in respect of any agreement with reference to the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or any Second Lien Substitute Facility, that such indebtedness refunds, refinances or replaces the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or such Second Lien Substitute Facility in whole (in a transaction that is in compliance with Section 4.04(a)) and that all commitments thereunder are terminated, or, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or such Second Lien Substitute Facility, in part. “Replace,” “Replaced” and “Replacement” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Required Priority Lien Secured Parties” means the Priority Lien Secured Parties holding more than 50% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien” means a Lien granted by a Second Lien Document to the Second Lien Agent, at any time, upon any Collateral by any Grantor to secure Second Lien Obligations (including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Second Lien Substitute Facility).

 

Second Lien Agent” means the Original Second Lien Agent, together with its successors in such capacity appointed pursuant to the terms of the Second Lien Indenture.

 

Second Lien Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral”, as defined in any Second Lien Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Second Lien Obligations.

 

Second Lien Debt” means the indebtedness under the Second Lien Notes issued as of the date hereof and guarantees thereof that was permitted to be incurred and secured in accordance with the Secured Debt Documents, and all indebtedness incurred under any Second Lien Substitute Facility with respect to which the requirements of Section 4.04 have been (or are deemed) satisfied. For the avoidance of doubt, the Second Lien Notes shall constitute “Second Lien Debt” under this Agreement.

 

Second Lien Documents” means the Second Lien Indenture, the Second Lien Notes, the Second Lien Security Documents and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing the Second Lien Obligations or any Second Lien Substitute Facility.

 

Second Lien Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of May [ ], 2019, among the Company, the Grantors party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Trust, National Association in its capacity as trustee and collateral agent thereunder, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof unless restricted by the terms of this Agreement, and any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Second Lien Substitute Facility.

 

Second Lien Notes” means the 13.50% Convertible Secured Lien Senior Second Notes due 2021 issued under the Second Lien Indenture.

 

Second Lien Obligations” means Second Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Second Lien Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs and other charges incurred under the Second Lien Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and whether or not allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Second Lien Purchasers” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06(a).

 

Second Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Second Lien Agent, the trustees, agents and other representatives of the holders of the Second Lien Notes who maintain the transfer register for such Second Lien Notes, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Second Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Second Lien Obligations (including pursuant to a Second Lien Substitute Facility), in each case to the extent designated as a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Second Lien Document outstanding at any time.

 

Second Lien Security Documents” means the Second Lien Indenture (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral), each agreement listed in Part B of Exhibit B hereto and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by Goodrich or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Second Lien Agent (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Second Lien Substitute Facility).

 

Second Lien Substitute Facility” means any facility with respect to which the requirements contained in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement have been satisfied and that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents, the proceeds of which are used to, among other things, Replace the Second Lien Indenture then in existence. For the avoidance of doubt, no Second Lien Substitute Facility shall be required to be evidenced by notes or other instruments and may be a facility evidenced or governed by a credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument; provided that any such Second Lien Substitute Facility shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including the lien priority as set forth herein as of the date hereof) as the other Liens securing the Second Lien Obligations are subject to under this Agreement.

 

Secured Debt Documents” means the Priority Lien Documents and the Second Lien Documents.

 

Secured Debt Representative” means the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent.

 

Secured Obligations” means the Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations.

 

Secured Parties” means the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

Security Documents” means the Priority Lien Security Documents and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other Person (a) of which equity interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (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) or, in the case of a partnership, any general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

Treasury Management Arrangement” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

Voting Stock” of a Person means Capital Stock of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

ARTICLE II     
LIEN PRIORITIES

 

Section 2.01.     Relative Priorities. The grant of the Priority Liens pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents and the grant of the Second Liens pursuant to the Second Lien Documents create two separate and distinct Liens on the Collateral.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents or any other agreement or instrument or operation of law to the contrary, or any other circumstance whatsoever and irrespective of (i) how a Lien was acquired (whether by grant, possession, statute, operation of law, subrogation, or otherwise), (ii) the time, manner, or order of the grant, attachment or perfection of a Lien, (iii) any conflicting provision of the New York UCC or other applicable law, (iv) any defect in, or non-perfection, setting aside, or avoidance of, a Lien or a Priority Lien Document or a Second Lien Document, (v) the modification of a Priority Lien Obligation or a Second Lien Obligation, or (vi) the subordination of a Lien on Collateral securing a Priority Lien Obligation to a Lien securing another obligation of Goodrich or other Person that is permitted under the Priority Lien Documents as in effect on the date hereof or securing a DIP Financing, each of the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby agrees that (i) any Priority Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Priority Lien Secured Party shall be senior in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all Second Liens on any Collateral and (ii) any Second Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Second Lien Secured Party shall be junior and subordinate in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all Priority Liens on any Collateral, in any case, subject to the Priority Lien Cap as provided herein.

 

(c)     It is acknowledged that, subject to the Priority Lien Cap (as provided herein), (i) the aggregate amount of the Priority Lien Obligations may be increased from time to time pursuant to the terms of the Priority Lien Documents, (ii) a portion of the Priority Lien Obligations consists or may consist of indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, and (iii) (A) the Priority Lien Documents may be replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured or otherwise amended or modified from time to time and (B) the Priority Lien Obligations may be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, in the case of the foregoing (A) and (B) all without affecting the subordination of the Second Liens hereunder or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties. The lien priorities provided for herein shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, modification, supplement, extension, increase, renewal, restatement or Replacement of either the Priority Lien Obligations (or any part thereof) or the Second Lien Obligations (or any part thereof), by the release of any Collateral or of any guarantees for any Priority Lien Obligations or by any action that any Secured Debt Representative or Secured Party may take or fail to take in respect of any Collateral.

 

Section 2.02.     Prohibition on Marshalling, Etc. Until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Agent will not assert any marshalling, appraisal, valuation, or other similar right that may otherwise be available to a junior secured creditor.

 

Section 2.03.     No New Liens. The parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has not occurred, none of the Grantors shall, nor shall any Grantor permit any of its subsidiaries to, (a) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of a Grantor to secure any Second Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor to secure the Priority Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Priority Lien Agent to accept such Lien will not prevent the Second Lien Agent from taking the Lien or (b) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of a Grantor to secure any Priority Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor to secure the Second Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Second Lien Agent to accept such Lien will not prevent the Priority Lien Agent from taking the Lien, with each such Lien as described in this Section 2.03 to be subject to the provisions of this Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to the Priority Lien Agent, the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent or the other Second Lien Secured Parties, each of the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that any amounts received by or distributed to any Second Lien Secured Party, pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.03 shall be subject to Section 3.05(b).

 

Section 2.04.     Similar Collateral and Agreements. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that it is their intention that the Priority Lien Collateral and the Second Lien Collateral be identical. In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree (a) to cooperate in good faith in order to determine, upon any reasonable request by the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Agent, the specific assets included in the Priority Lien Collateral and the Second Lien Collateral, the steps taken to perfect the Priority Liens and the Second Liens thereon and the identity of the respective parties obligated under the Priority Lien Documents and the Second Lien Documents in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations, respectively, (b) that the Second Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral shall be in all material respects the same forms of documents as the respective Priority Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral other than (i) with respect to the priority nature of the Liens created thereunder in such Collateral, (ii) such modifications to such Second Lien Security Documents which are less restrictive than the corresponding Priority Lien Security Documents, and (iii) provisions in the Second Lien Security Documents which are solely applicable to the rights and duties of the Second Lien Secured Parties and (c) that at no time shall there be any Grantor that is an obligor in respect of the Second Lien Obligations that is not also an obligor in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Section 2.05.     No Duties of Priority Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have any duties or other obligations to any such Second Lien Secured Party with respect to any Collateral, other than to transfer to the Second Lien Agent any remaining Collateral and any proceeds of the sale or other Disposition of any such Collateral remaining in its possession following the associated Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, in each case without representation or warranty on the part of the Priority Lien Agent or any Priority Lien Secured Party. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Second Lien Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties following the expiration of the Standstill Period), the Priority Lien Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise Dispose of or deal with such Collateral, as provided herein and in the Priority Lien Documents, without regard to any Second Lien or any rights to which the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Second Lien. Without limiting the foregoing, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Collateral, or to sell, Dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Collateral, in any manner that would maximize the return to the Second Lien Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Second Lien Secured Parties from such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each of the Second Lien Secured Parties, waives any claim such Second Lien Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Priority Lien Agent or the Priority Lien Secured Parties take or omit to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Priority Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

ARTICLE III     
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS; PURCHASE OPTION

 

Section 3.01.     Limitation on Enforcement Action. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that, subject to Section 3.05(b) and Section 4.07, none of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Collateral under any Second Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise (including but not limited to any right of setoff), it being agreed that only the Priority Lien Agent, acting in accordance with the applicable Priority Lien Documents, shall have the exclusive right (and whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced), to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies, in each case, without any consultation with or the consent of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in their sole discretion and regardless of whether such exercise and enforcement is adverse to the interest of any Second Lien Secured Party. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to Dispose of Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with any such Disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code, the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Priority Lien Agent will have the exclusive right to deal with that portion of the Collateral consisting of deposit accounts and securities accounts (collectively “Accounts”), including exercising rights under control agreements with respect to such Accounts. Each of the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Lien Security Document, any other Second Lien Document, as applicable, shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Priority Lien Agent or the other Priority Lien Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral as set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 3.05, the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, may, but will have no obligation to, take all such actions (not adverse to the Priority Liens or the rights of the Priority Lien Agent and the Priority Lien Secured Parties) it deems necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of the Second Liens in the Collateral or to create, preserve or protect (but not enforce) the Second Liens in the Collateral. Nothing herein shall limit the right or ability of the Second Lien Secured Parties to (i) purchase (by credit bid or otherwise) all or any portion of the Collateral in connection with any enforcement of remedies by the Priority Lien Agent to the extent that, and so long as, the Priority Lien Secured Parties receive payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations upon giving effect thereto or (ii) file a proof of claim with respect to the Second Lien Obligations.

 

Section 3.02.     Standstill Period; Permitted Enforcement Action. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and notwithstanding the foregoing Section 3.01, both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding after a period of 180 days has elapsed (which period will be tolled during any period in which the Priority Lien Agent is not entitled, on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, to enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral as a result of (A) any injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) since the later of (1) the date on which the Second Lien Debt is accelerated or (2) date on which the Second Lien Agent has delivered to the Priority Lien Agent written notice of the acceleration of any Second Lien Debt (the “Standstill Period”), the Second Lien Agent and the other Second Lien Secured Parties may enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral; provided, however that notwithstanding the expiration of the Standstill Period in no event may the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, if the Priority Lien Agent on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties or any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have commenced, and shall be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof), the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral or any such action or proceeding (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the Second Lien Agent by the Priority Lien Agent); provided, further, that, at any time after the expiration of the Standstill Period, if neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, and the Second Lien Agent shall have commenced the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, then for so long as the Second Lien Agent is diligently pursuing such rights or remedies, none of any Priority Lien Secured Party or the Priority Lien Agent shall take any action of a similar nature with respect to such Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding; provided, further, that, if the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party exercises rights or remedies in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.02, then such Person shall promptly give notice thereof to the Priority Lien Agent.

 

Section 3.03.     Insurance. Unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties following expiration of the Standstill Period), the Priority Lien Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents, to adjust and settle claims in respect of Collateral under any insurance policy in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding (or any deed in lieu of condemnation) affecting the Collateral. Unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents, all proceeds of any such policy and any such award (or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation) in respect to the Collateral shall be paid to the Priority Lien Agent pursuant to the terms of the Priority Lien Documents (including for purposes of cash collateralization of commitments, letters of credit and Hedging Obligations). If the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party shall, at any time prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment in contravention of the foregoing, it shall forthwith pay such proceeds over to the Priority Lien Agent. In addition, if by virtue of being named as an additional insured or loss payee of any insurance policy of any Grantor covering any of the Collateral, the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have the right to adjust or settle any claim under any such insurance policy, then unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, the Second Lien Agent and any such Second Lien Secured Party shall promptly, without delay or hindrance, follow the instructions of the Priority Lien Agent, or of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents to the extent the Priority Lien Documents grant such Grantors the right to adjust or settle such claims, with respect to such adjustment or settlement (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties following expiration of the Standstill Period).

 

Section 3.04.     Notification of Release of Collateral. Each of the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent shall give the other Secured Debt Representative prompt written notice of the Disposition by it of, and Release by it of the Lien on, any Collateral. Such notice shall describe in reasonable detail the subject Collateral, the parties involved in such Disposition or Release, the place, time, manner and method thereof, and the consideration, if any, received therefor; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not in and of itself in any way impair the effectiveness of any such Disposition or Release.

 

Section 3.05.     No Interference; Payment Over.

 

(a)     No Interference. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that each Second Lien Secured Party (i) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Second Lien pari passu with, or to give such Second Lien Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any Priority Lien with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, (ii) will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Priority Lien Obligations or Priority Lien Document, or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Priority Lien, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by the provisions of this Agreement, (iii) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other Disposition of the Collateral by any Priority Lien Secured Party or the Priority Lien Agent acting on their behalf, (iv) shall have no right to (A) direct the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral or (B) consent to the exercise by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral, (v) will not institute any suit or assert in any suit or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any claim against the Priority Lien Agent or other Priority Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Priority Lien Agent or other Priority Lien Secured Party with respect to any Priority Lien Collateral, (vi) prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other Disposition of such Collateral, (vii) will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement, (viii) will not object to forbearance by the Priority Lien Agent or any Priority Lien Secured Party, and (ix) prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations will not assert, and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may be available under applicable law with respect to the Collateral or any similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law.

 

(b)     Payment Over. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that if any Second Lien Secured Party shall obtain possession of any Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Collateral, pursuant to the exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral under any Second Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, to the extent permitted hereunder, at any time prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations secured, or intended to be secured, by such Collateral, then it shall hold such Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties and transfer such Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Priority Lien Agent as promptly as practicable. Furthermore, the Second Lien Agent shall, at the Grantors’ expense, promptly send written notice to the Priority Lien Agent upon receipt of such Collateral, proceeds or payment by any Second Lien Secured Party and within three (3) days of such receipt, shall deliver such Collateral, proceeds or payment to the Priority Lien Agent in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Priority Lien Agent is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that if, at any time, it obtains written notice that all or part of any payment with respect to any Priority Lien Obligations previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever, it will promptly pay over to the Priority Lien Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its direct control in respect of any such Priority Lien Collateral and shall promptly turn any such Collateral then held by it over to the Priority Lien Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement will be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations. All Second Liens will remain attached to and enforceable against all proceeds so held or remitted, subject to the priorities set forth in this Agreement. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Section 3.05(b) shall not apply to any proceeds of Collateral realized in a transaction not prohibited by the Priority Lien Documents and as to which the possession or receipt thereof by the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party is otherwise permitted by the Priority Lien Documents.

 

Section 3.06.     Purchase Option.

 

(a)     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, within sixty (60) days of the earlier of (i) the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or (ii) the acceleration of the Priority Lien Obligations, holders of the Second Lien Debt and each of their respective designated Affiliates (the “Second Lien Purchasers”) will have the right, at their sole option and election (but will not be obligated), at any time upon prior written notice to the Priority Lien Agent, to purchase from the Priority Lien Secured Parties (x) all (but not less than all, other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations) Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and (y) any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing that are outstanding on the date of such purchase. Promptly following the receipt of such notice, the Priority Lien Agent will deliver to the Second Lien Agent a statement of the amount of Priority Lien Debt, other Priority Lien Obligations (other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations) and DIP Financing provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, if any, then outstanding and the amount of the cash collateral requested by the Priority Lien Agent to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.06(b)(ii) below. The right to purchase provided for in this Section 3.06 will expire unless, within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Second Lien Agent of such statement from the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Agent delivers to the Priority Lien Agent an irrevocable commitment of the Second Lien Purchasers to purchase (x) all (but not less than all, other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations) of the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and (y) any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing and to otherwise complete such purchase on the terms set forth under this Section 3.06.

 

(b)     On the date specified by the Second Lien Agent (on behalf of the Second Lien Purchasers) in such irrevocable commitment (which shall not be less than five Business Days nor more than 20 Business Days, after the receipt by the Priority Lien Agent of such irrevocable commitment), the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall sell to the Second Lien Purchasers (x) all (but not less than all, other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations (such period from the date of receipt by the Priority Lien Agent of such irrevocable commitment to such date specified by the Second Lien Agent for such sale in such irrevocable commitment the “Pendency Period”)) of the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and (y) any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing that are outstanding on the date of such sale, subject to any required approval of any Governmental Authority then in effect, if any, and only if on the date of such sale, the Priority Lien Agent receives the following:

 

(i)     payment, as the purchase price for all Priority Lien Obligations sold in such sale, of an amount equal to the full par value amount of (x) all Priority Lien Obligations (other than outstanding letters of credit as referred to in clause (ii) below) other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations to the extent not purchased and (y) loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing then outstanding (including principal, interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time); provided that in the case of Hedging Obligations that constitute Priority Lien Obligations the Second Lien Purchasers shall cause the applicable agreements governing such Hedging Obligations to be assigned and novated or, if such agreements have been terminated, such purchase price shall include an amount equal to the sum of any unpaid amounts then due in respect of such Hedging Obligations, calculated in accordance with the terms of such Hedging Obligation and after giving effect to any netting arrangements;

 

(ii)     a cash collateral deposit in such amount as the Priority Lien Agent determines is reasonably necessary to secure the payment of any outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Obligations that may become due and payable after such sale (but not in any event in an amount greater than one hundred five percent (105%) of the amount then reasonably estimated by the Priority Lien Agent to be the aggregate outstanding amount of such letters of credit at such time), which cash collateral shall be (A) held by the issuer of such letters of credit as security solely to reimburse the issuers of such letters of credit that become due and payable after such sale and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such letters of credit and (B) returned to the Second Lien Agent (except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or any order of any court or other Governmental Authority) promptly after the expiration or termination from time to time of all payment contingencies affecting such letters of credit; and

 

(iii)     any agreements, documents or instruments which the Priority Lien Agent may reasonably request pursuant to which the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Purchasers in such sale expressly assume and adopt all of the obligations of the Priority Lien Agent and the Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents and in connection with loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing on and after the date of the purchase and sale and the Second Lien Agent (or any other representative appointed by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes then outstanding) becomes a successor agent thereunder.

 

(iv)     During the Pendency Period, the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall refrain from exercising remedies (subject to exigent circumstances).

 

(c)     Such purchase of the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing shall be made on a pro rata basis among the Second Lien Purchasers giving notice to the Priority Lien Agent of their interest to exercise the purchase option hereunder according to each such Second Lien Purchaser’s portion of the Second Lien Debt outstanding on the date of purchase or such portion as such Second Lien Purchasers may otherwise agree among themselves. Such purchase price and cash collateral shall be remitted by wire transfer in federal funds to such bank account of the Priority Lien Agent as the Priority Lien Agent may designate in writing to the Second Lien Agent for such purpose. Interest shall be calculated to but excluding the Business Day on which such sale occurs if the amounts so paid by the Second Lien Purchasers to the bank account designated by the Priority Lien Agent are received in such bank account prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, and interest shall be calculated to and including such Business Day if the amounts so paid by the Second Lien Purchasers to the bank account designated by the Priority Lien Agent are received in such bank account later than 12:00 noon, New York City time.

 

(d)     Such sale shall be expressly made without representation or warranty of any kind by the Priority Lien Secured Parties as to the Priority Lien Obligations, the Collateral or otherwise and without recourse to any Priority Lien Secured Party, except that the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall represent and warrant severally as to the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing then owing to it: (i) that such applicable Priority Lien Secured Party owns such Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing; and (ii) that such applicable Priority Lien Secured Party has the necessary corporate or other governing authority to assign such interests.

 

(e)     After such sale becomes effective, the outstanding letters of credit will remain enforceable against the issuers thereof and will remain secured by the Priority Liens upon the Collateral in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Priority Lien Documents as in effect at the time of such sale, and the issuers of letters of credit will remain entitled to the benefit of the Priority Liens upon the Collateral and sharing rights in the proceeds thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents as in effect at the time of such sale, as fully as if the sale of the Priority Lien Debt had not been made, but, except with respect to cash collateral held by the issuers of such letters of credit, only the Person or successor agent to whom the Priority Liens are transferred in such sale will have the right to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce the Priority Liens and only the Second Lien Purchasers in the sale will have the right to direct such Person or successor as to matters relating to the foreclosure or other enforcement of the Priority Liens.

 

ARTICLE IV     
OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

Section 4.01.     Release of Liens; Automatic Release of Second Liens. (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that, in the event the Priority Lien Secured Parties release their Lien on any Collateral, the Second Lien on such Collateral shall terminate and be released automatically and without further action if (i) such release is in connection with a sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral in a transaction or circumstance that does not violate Section 7.26 of the Second Lien Indenture (or any similar provision of any other Second Lien Document), (ii) such release is effected in connection with the Priority Lien Agent’s foreclosure upon, or other exercise of rights or remedies with respect to, such Collateral, or (iii) such release is effected in connection with a sale or other Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall have consented to such sale or Disposition of such Collateral; provided that, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Second Liens on such Collateral shall attach to (and shall remain subject and subordinate to all Priority Liens securing Priority Lien Obligations, subject to the Priority Lien Cap) any proceeds of a sale, transfer or other Disposition of Collateral not paid to the Priority Lien Secured Parties or that remain after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(b)     The Second Lien Agent agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such releases and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Priority Lien Agent to evidence and confirm any release of Collateral provided for in this Section 4.01.

 

Section 4.02.     Certain Agreements With Respect to Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings. The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against Goodrich or any subsidiary of Goodrich. All references in this Agreement to Goodrich or any subsidiary of Goodrich or any other Grantor will include such Person or Persons as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Person or Persons in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. For the purposes of this Section 4.02, unless otherwise provided herein, clauses (b) through and including (o) shall be in full force and effect prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(b)     If Goodrich or any of its subsidiaries shall become subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, or if any receiver or trustee for such Person or Persons shall, move for approval of financing (“DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither it nor any other Second Lien Secured Party will raise any objection, contest or oppose, and each Second Lien Secured Party will waive any claim such Person may now or hereafter have, to any such financing or to the Liens on the Collateral securing the same (“DIP Financing Liens”), or to any use, sale or lease of cash collateral that constitutes Collateral or to any grant of administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, unless (A) the Priority Lien Agent or the Priority Lien Secured Parties oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or such use of cash collateral or (B) (1) the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of the DIP Financing, (y) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money constituting principal outstanding under the Priority Lien Documents and (z) the aggregate face amount of any letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Priority Lien Documents exceeds (2) the sum of (x) the amount of the Priority Lien Obligations “rolled up” or otherwise refinanced by such DIP Financing, if any, plus (y) $10,000,000. To the extent such DIP Financing Liens are senior to, or rank pari passu with, the Priority Liens, the Second Lien Agent will, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, subordinate the Second Liens on the Collateral to the Priority Liens and to such DIP Financing Liens, so long as the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, retains Liens on all the Collateral, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, with the same priority relative to the Priority Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code. If the Priority Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection Liens on post-petition assets of Goodrich to secure Priority Lien Obligations in connection with the DIP Financing, the Second Lien Secured Parties shall have the right to request adequate protection Liens on post-petition assets of Goodrich to secure the Second Lien Obligations in connection with the DIP Financing (which Liens shall be junior to the adequate protection Liens and prepetition Liens of the Priority Lien Secured Parties) and the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall not object to such a request by the Second Lien Secured Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 4.02(b) shall limit or impair the right of the Second Lien Agent to object to any motion regarding DIP Financing or cash collateral to the extent that the objection could be asserted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by unsecured creditors generally, is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement and is not based on the status of any Second Lien Secured Party as a holder of a Lien.

 

(c)     Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, without the consent of the Priority Lien Agent, in its sole discretion, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees not to propose, support or enter into any DIP Financing; provided that if no Priority Lien Secured Party offers to provide DIP Financing within the amount permitted under clause (B)(2) of Section 4.02(b) on or before the date of the hearing to approve a DIP Financing, then a Second Lien Secured Party may seek to provide such DIP Financing secured by Liens equal or senior in priority to the Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations and the Priority Lien Secured Parties may object thereto on any and all grounds; provided that such DIP Financing may not “roll-up” or otherwise refinance any pre-petition Second Lien Obligations.

 

(d)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that it will not object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting) a sale or other Disposition, a motion to sell or Dispose or the bidding procedure for such sale or Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall have consented to such sale or Disposition, such motion to sell or Dispose or such bidding procedure for such sale or Disposition of such Collateral and all Priority Liens and Second Liens will attach to the proceeds of the sale in the same respective priorities as set forth in this Agreement; provided that (i) no motion or order regarding such sale or other Disposition shall impair the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code and (ii) the Priority Lien Cap shall be reduced by an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of any such sale or other Disposition which are used to pay the principal or face amount of the Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(e)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, waives any claim that may be had against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any DIP Financing Liens, request for adequate protection or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code (in each case, that is granted in a manner that is consistent with this Agreement).

 

(f)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Agent nor any other Second Lien Secured Party, will file or prosecute in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any motion for adequate protection (or any comparable request for relief) based upon their interest in the Collateral, nor object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting) (i) any request by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party for adequate protection or (ii) any objection by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Priority Lien Agent or Priority Lien Secured Parties claiming a lack of adequate protection, except that the Second Lien Secured Parties may:

 

(A)     freely seek and obtain relief granting adequate protection in the form of a replacement lien co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 2.01) to, and with the same relative priority to the Priority Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, all Liens granted in the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to, or for the benefit of, the Priority Lien Secured Parties; and

 

(B)     freely seek and obtain any relief upon a motion for adequate protection (or any comparable relief), without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

(g)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each of the other of the Second Lien Secured Parties, waives any claim it or any such other Second Lien Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of any election by the Priority Lien Agent or any Priority Lien Secured Parties, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(h)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, neither the Second Lien Agent nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall support or vote to accept any plan of reorganization or disclosure statement of Goodrich or any other Grantor unless (i) such plan is accepted by the Class of Priority Lien Secured Parties in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise provides for the payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations (including all post-petition interest approved by the bankruptcy court, fees and expenses and cash collateralization of all letters of credit) on the effective date of such plan of reorganization, or (ii) such plan provides on account of the Priority Lien Secured Parties for the retention by the Priority Lien Agent, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Priority Lien Obligations, and on all proceeds thereof whenever received, and such plan also provides that any Liens retained by, or granted to, the Second Lien Agent are only on property securing the Priority Lien Obligations and shall have the same relative priority with respect to the Collateral or other property, respectively, as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral. Except as provided herein, each of the Second Lien Secured Parties shall remain entitled to vote their claims in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

(i)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Agent nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall seek relief, pursuant to Section 362(d) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, from the automatic stay of Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or from any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent.

 

(j)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Agent nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Priority Lien Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses or cash collateralization of all letters of credit to the extent of the value of the Priority Liens (it being understood that such value will be determined without regard to the existence of the Second Liens on the Collateral). Neither Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Lien Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Second Liens, on the Collateral.

 

(k)     Without the express written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, none of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be), in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding involving any Grantor, (i) oppose, object to or contest the determination of the extent of any Liens held by any of Priority Lien Secured Party or the value of any claims of any such holder under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or (ii) oppose, object to or contest the payment to the Priority Lien Secured Party of interest, fees or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code subject to the Priority Lien Cap.

 

(l)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding a determination is made that any Lien encumbering any Collateral is not enforceable for any reason, then the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that, any distribution or recovery they may receive in respect of any Collateral shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the Priority Lien Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in the same form as received without recourse, representation or warranty (other than a representation of the Second Lien Agent that it has not otherwise sold, assigned, transferred or pledged any right, title or interest in and to such distribution or recovery) but with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, hereby appoints the Priority Lien Agent, and any officer or agent of the Priority Lien Agent, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Second Lien Secured Party for the limited purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 4.02(l) and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Priority Lien Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.02(l), which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

 

(m)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that the Priority Lien Agent shall have the exclusive right to credit bid the Priority Lien Obligations and further that none of the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be) oppose, object to or contest such credit bid by the Priority Lien Agent.

 

(n)     Without the consent of the Priority Lien Agent in its sole discretion, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees it will not file an involuntary bankruptcy claim or seek the appointment of an examiner or a trustee for Goodrich or any of its subsidiaries.

 

(o)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, waives any right to assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) or 552 of the Bankruptcy Code as against any Priority Lien Secured Party or any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.03.     Reinstatement. If any Priority Lien Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Grantor any amount (a “Recovery”) for any reason whatsoever, then the Priority Lien Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall be entitled to a reinstatement of Priority Lien Obligations with respect to all such recovered amounts. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that if, at any time, a Second Lien Secured Party receives notice of any Recovery, the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall promptly pay over to the Priority Lien Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its control in respect of any Collateral subject to any Priority Lien securing such Priority Lien Obligations and shall promptly turn any Collateral subject to any such Priority Lien then held by it over to the Priority Lien Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to any such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto from such date of reinstatement. Any amounts received by the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party and then in its possession or under its control on account of the Second Lien Obligations after the termination of this Agreement shall, in the event of a reinstatement of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.03, be held in trust for and paid over to the Priority Lien Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties for application to the reinstated Priority Lien Obligations until the discharge thereof. This Section 4.03 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.04.     Refinancings.

 

(a)     The Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations may be Replaced by any Priority Substitute Credit Facility or Second Lien Substitute Facility, as the case may be, in each case without notice to, or the consent of, any Secured Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, that (i) the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent shall receive on or prior to incurrence of a Priority Substitute Credit Facility or Second Lien Substitute Facility (A) an Officers’ Certificate from Goodrich stating that (I) the incurrence thereof is permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be incurred and (II) the requirements of Section 4.06 have been satisfied, and (B) a Priority Confirmation Joinder from the holders or lenders of any indebtedness that Replaces the Priority Lien Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations (or an authorized agent, trustee or other representative on their behalf), (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Priority Lien Obligations, after giving effect to such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, shall not exceed the Priority Lien Cap, (iii) in the case of a Second Lien Substitute Facility, (A) the final maturity of the Second Lien Debt incurred pursuant to such Second Lien Substitute Facility is at least 180 days after the final maturity of the Priority Lien Debt (as in effect on the date such Second Lien Substitute Facility is entered into) and (B) the terms of such Second Lien Substitute Facility taken as a whole (I) other than fees and interest are not materially less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of the Second Lien Indenture and Second Lien Notes and (II) shall not contain any default, event of default or covenant that is materially adverse to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of the Second Lien Indenture and Second Lien Notes unless such additional  default, event of default or covenant would also be added to the Priority Lien Documents and (iv) on or before the date of such incurrence, such Priority Substitute Credit Facility or Second Lien Substitute Facility is designated by Goodrich, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent, as “Priority Lien Debt” or “Second Lien Debt”, as applicable, for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents and this Agreement.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow Goodrich or any other Grantor to incur additional indebtedness unless otherwise permitted by the terms of each applicable Secured Debt Document.

 

(c)     Each of the then-existing Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent shall be authorized to execute and deliver such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as such holders, lenders, agent, trustee or other representative may reasonably request to give effect to any such Replacement, it being understood that the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent or (if permitted by the terms of the applicable Secured Debt Documents) the Grantors, without the consent of any other Secured Party or (in the case of the Grantors) one or more Secured Debt Representatives, may amend, supplement, modify or restate this Agreement to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such amendments or supplements to effect such Replacement or incurrence all at the expense of the Grantors. Upon the consummation of such Replacement or incurrence and the execution and delivery of the documents and agreements contemplated in the preceding sentence, the holders or lenders of such indebtedness and any authorized agent, trustee or other representative thereof shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.05.     Amendments to Priority Lien Documents and Second Lien Documents.

 

(a)     Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, without the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent and the Required Priority Lien Secured Parties (unless permitted by the terms of any Priority Substitute Credit Facility then in effect), no Second Lien Document may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and/or refinanced or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement, restatement or modification and/or refinancing, or the terms of any new Second Lien Document, would (i) modify a covenant or event of default that directly restricts one or more Grantors from making payments on the Priority Lien Obligations that would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement and the Second Lien Documents as in effect on the date hereof, (ii) shorten the final maturity or weighted average life to maturity of the Second Lien Obligations, (iii) add any additional Property as collateral for the Second Lien Obligations unless such Property is added as collateral for the Priority Lien Obligations (iv) provide for any Person to issue a guarantee or be required to issue a guarantee unless such Person guarantees the Priority Lien Obligations, (v) add or provide for any increase in, or shorten the period for payment of, any mandatory prepayment or redemption provisions or shorten the period for reinvestment of any net cash proceeds (other than change of control or asset sale tender offer provisions substantially similar to those applicable under the Second Lien Documents, as in effect on the date hereof, or otherwise customary in the market at the time of such amendment, exchange or refinancing), (vi) increase the interest rate or yield, including by increasing the “applicable margin” or similar component of the interest rate, by imposing fees or premiums, or by modifying the method of computing interest, or modifying or implementing any commitment, consent, facility, utilization, make-whole or similar fee so that the aggregate yield is in excess of the total yield on the Second Lien Obligations as in effect on the issue date thereof (excluding increases resulting from the accrual of interest at the default rate), (vii) amend or otherwise modify any “Default” or “Event of Default” or covenants thereunder in a manner, taken as a whole, that is materially adverse to any Grantors unless such modification would also apply to the Priority Lien Documents, (viii) adversely affect the lien priority rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties or (ix) contravene the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(b)     Prior to the Discharge of the Second Lien Obligations without the prior written consent of the Second Lien Agent and the Required Second Lien Secured Parties no Priority Lien Document may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and/or refinanced or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement, restatement or modification and/or refinancing would (i) modify a covenant or event of default that directly restricts one or more Grantors from making payments on the Second Lien Obligations that would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents as in effect on the date hereof, (ii) shorten the final maturity of the Priority Lien Obligations, (iii) add any additional Property as collateral for the Priority Lien Obligations unless such Property is added as collateral for the Second Lien Obligations, (iv) provide for any Person to issue a guarantee or be required to issue a guarantee unless such Person guarantees the Second Lien Obligations or (v) contravene the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.06.     Legends. The Second Lien Agent acknowledges with respect to the Second Lien Indenture and the Second Lien Security Documents, that the Second Lien Indenture, the Second Lien Documents (other than control agreements to which both the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent are parties), and each associated Security Document (other than control agreements to which both the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent are parties) granting any security interest in the Collateral will contain the appropriate legend set forth on Annex I.

 

Section 4.07.     Second Lien Secured Parties Rights as Unsecured Creditors; Judgment Lien Creditor. Both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, any of the Second Lien Secured Parties may take any actions and exercise any and all rights that would be available to a holder of unsecured claims; provided, however, that the Second Lien Secured Parties may not take any of the actions prohibited by Section 3.05(a) or Section 4.02 or any other provisions in this Agreement; provided, further, that in the event that any of the Second Lien Secured Parties becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of any Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor with respect to the Second Lien Obligations, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations, as applicable) as the Second Liens are subject to this Agreement.

 

Section 4.08.     Postponement of Subrogation. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that no payment or distribution to any Priority Lien Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle any Second Lien Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations shall have occurred. Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, but subject to the reinstatement as provided in Section 4.03, each Priority Lien Secured Party will execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as any Second Lien Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the Priority Lien Obligations resulting from payments or distributions to such Priority Lien Secured Party by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by such Priority Lien Secured Party are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.

 

Section 4.09.     Acknowledgment by the Secured Debt Representatives. Each of the Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges that this Agreement is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each has relied on this Agreement to enter into the Priority Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Indenture, as applicable, and all documentation related thereto, and that each will continue to rely on this Agreement in their related future dealings.

 

Section 4.10.     Permitted Prepayments of Second Lien Obligations.

 

(a)     Until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, unless otherwise permitted by the Priority Lien Agent or otherwise permitted by the terms of the Priority Lien Credit Agreement or, if the Priority Lien Credit Agreement has been Replaced by a Priority Substitute Credit Facility, the terms of such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, no Second Lien Secured Party may accept or retain any optional prepayment (howsoever described) of principal of the Second Lien Obligations; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit a Second Lien Secured Party from receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares upon a retirement of Second Lien Obligations by exchanging such Second Lien Obligations for Capital Stock of the Parent Guarantor pursuant to the Second Lien Indenture.

 

(b)     Goodrich may retire any Second Lien Obligations by exchanging such Second Lien Obligations for Capital Stock of the Parent Guarantor (other than Disqualified Capital Stock (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement)).

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.10, the Second Lien Obligations may be refinanced in whole or in part so long as refinancing is permitted by the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement then in effect and Section 4.05 hereof.

 

ARTICLE V     
GRATUITOUS BAILMENT FOR PERFECTION OF CERTAIN SECURITY INTERESTS

 

Section 5.01.     General. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Priority Lien on any Collateral that can be perfected by the possession or control of such Collateral or of any Account in which such Collateral is held, and if such Collateral or any such Account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Priority Lien Agent, the Priority Lien Agent will serve as gratuitous bailee for the Second Lien Agent for the sole purpose of perfecting the Second Lien of the Second Lien Agent on such Collateral. It is agreed that the obligations of the Priority Lien Agent and the rights of the Second Lien Agent and the other Second Lien Secured Parties in connection with any such bailment arrangement will be in all respects subject to the provisions of Article II. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Priority Lien Agent will be deemed to make no representation as to the adequacy of the steps taken by it to perfect the Second Lien on any such Collateral and shall have no responsibility, duty, obligation or liability to the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party or any other Person for such perfection or failure to perfect, it being understood that the sole purpose of this Article is to enable the Second Lien Secured Parties to obtain a perfected Second Lien in such Collateral to the extent, if any, that such perfection results from the possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account by the Priority Lien Agent. The Priority Lien Agent acting pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not have by reason of the Priority Lien Security Documents, the Second Lien Security Documents, this Agreement or any other document or theory, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party. Subject to Section 4.03, from and after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent shall take all such actions in its power as shall reasonably be requested by the Second Lien Agent (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) to transfer possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account (in each case to the extent the Second Lien Agent has a Lien on such Collateral or Account after giving effect to any prior or concurrent releases of Liens) to the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of all Second Lien Secured Parties.

 

Section 5.02.     Deposit Accounts. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, to the extent that any Account is under the control of the Priority Lien Agent at any time, the Priority Lien Agent will act as gratuitous bailee for the Second Lien Agent for the purpose of perfecting the Liens of the Second Lien Secured Parties in such Accounts and the cash and other assets therein as provided in Section 5.01 (but will have no duty, responsibility or obligation to the Second Lien Secured Parties (including, without limitation, any duty, responsibility or obligation as to the maintenance of such control, the effect of such arrangement or the establishment of such perfection) except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 5.02). Unless the Second Liens on such Collateral shall have been or concurrently are released, after the occurrence of Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent shall, at the request of the Second Lien Agent, cooperate with the Grantors and the Second Lien Agent (at the expense of the Grantors) in permitting control of any other Accounts to be transferred to the Second Lien Agent (or for other arrangements with respect to each such Accounts satisfactory to the Second Lien Agent to be made).

 

ARTICLE VI     
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS; DETERMINATION OF AMOUNTS

 

Section 6.01.     Application of Proceeds. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, and regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced, Collateral or proceeds received in connection with the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any portion of the Collateral will be applied:

 

(i)     first, to the payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations that are not Excess Priority Lien Obligations,

 

(ii)     second, to the payment in full in cash of all Second Lien Obligations,

 

(iii)     third, to the payment in full in cash of all Excess Priority Lien Obligations; and

 

(iv)     fourth, to Goodrich or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

Section 6.02.     Determination of Amounts. Whenever a Secured Debt Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Priority Lien Obligations (or the existence of any commitment to extend credit that would constitute Priority Lien Obligations), or Second Lien Obligations, or the existence of any Lien securing any such obligations, or the Collateral subject to any such Lien, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by the other Secured Debt Representatives and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if a Secured Debt Representative shall fail or refuse to provide reasonably promptly the requested information, the requesting Secured Debt Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of Goodrich. Each Secured Debt Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to Goodrich or any of their subsidiaries, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.

 

ARTICLE VII     
NO RELIANCE; NO LIABILITY; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE; CONSENT OF GRANTORS; ETC.

 

Section 7.01.     No Reliance; Information. The Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties shall have no duty to disclose to any Second Lien Secured Party or to any Priority Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, any information relating to Goodrich or any of the other Grantors, or any other circumstance bearing upon the risk of non-payment of any of the Priority Lien Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations that is known or becomes known to any of them or any of their Affiliates. In the event any Priority Lien Secured Party or any Second Lien Secured Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to, any Second Lien Secured Party or any Priority Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, it shall be under no obligation (a) to make, and shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of the information so provided, (b) to provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion or (c) to undertake any investigation.

 

Section 7.02.     No Warranties or Liability.

 

(a)     The Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, neither the Second Lien Agent nor any other Second Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Second Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.

 

(b)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Priority Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.

 

(c)      The Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party and (ii) the Second Lien Agent and the other Second Lien Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party; in each case to act or refrain from acting in a manner which allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of a default or an event of default under any Priority Lien Document or any Second Lien Document (other than, in each case, this Agreement), as applicable, regardless of any knowledge thereof which they may have or be charged with.

 

(d)     The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, hereby waives any claim that may be had against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Priority Lien Agent or such Priority Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or only part of the Priority Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for such Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Section 7.03.     Obligations Absolute. The Lien priorities provided for herein and the respective rights, interests, agreements and obligations hereunder of the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent and the other Second Lien Secured Parties shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

 

(a)     any lack of validity or enforceability of any Secured Debt Document;

 

(b)     any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of (including the Replacing of), all or any portion of the Priority Lien Obligations, it being specifically acknowledged that a portion of the Priority Lien Obligations consists or may consist of indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed;

 

(c)     any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of any Secured Debt Document;

 

(d)     the securing of any Priority Lien Obligations or Second Lien Obligations with any additional collateral or guarantees, or any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non-perfection of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral or any release of any guarantee securing any Priority Lien Obligations or Second Lien Obligations;

 

(e)     the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of Goodrich or any other Grantor; or

 

(f)     any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, Goodrich or any other Grantor in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations.

 

Section 7.04.     Grantors Consent. Each Grantor hereby consents to the provisions of this Agreement and the intercreditor arrangements provided for herein and agrees that the obligations of the Grantors under the Secured Debt Documents will in no way be diminished or otherwise affected by such provisions or arrangements (except as expressly provided herein).

 

ARTICLE VIII     
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 8.01.     Representations and Warranties of Each Party. Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as follows:

 

(a)     Such party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)     This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party.

 

(c)     The execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority of which the failure to obtain could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement), (ii) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority or any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon such party which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) will not violate the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of such party.

 

Section 8.02.     Representations and Warranties of Each Representative. Each of the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is authorized under the Priority Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Indenture, as applicable, to enter into this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IX     
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01.     Notices. 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:

 

(a)     if to the Original Priority Lien Agent, to it at:

 

SunTrust Bank
3333 Peachtree Road, N.E. / 8th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Attention: Brian Y. Guffin

 

With a copy to:


SunTrust Bank

Agency Services

303 Peachtree Street, N.E. / 25th Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Attention: Agency Services Manager

Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001

 

(b)     if to the Original Second Lien Agent, to it at:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association
1590 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 550
Dallas, TX 75248
Facsimile No.: (888) 316-6238
Attention: Goodrich Petroleum Administrator

 

(c)     if to any other Secured Debt Representative, to such address as specified in the Priority Confirmation Joinder.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile 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 (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01. As agreed to in writing among Goodrich, the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

 

Section 9.02.     Waivers; Amendment. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 9.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)     Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Secured Debt Representative; provided, however, that this Agreement may be amended from time to time as provided in Section 4.04. Any amendment of this Agreement that is proposed to be effected without the consent of a Secured Debt Representative as permitted by the proviso to the preceding sentence shall be submitted to such Secured Debt Representative for its review at least 5 Business Days prior to the proposed effectiveness of such amendment.

 

Section 9.03.     Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance. Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, if any Second Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, commences or participates in any action or proceeding against any Grantor or the Collateral, such Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, may interpose as a defense or dilatory plea the making of this Agreement, and any Priority Lien Secured Party may intervene and interpose such defense or plea in its or their name or in the name of such Grantor.

 

(b)     Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, should any Second Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to or threaten to take any action with respect to the Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or take any other action in violation of this Agreement or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party (in its own name or in the name of the relevant Grantor) or the relevant Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, (A) may obtain relief against such Second Lien Secured Party by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief, it being understood and agreed by the Second Lien Agent on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party that (I) the Priority Lien Secured Parties’ damages from its actions may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable, and (II) each Second Lien Secured Party waives any defense that the Grantors and/or the Priority Lien Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages, and (B) shall be entitled to damages, as well as reimbursement for all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.04.     Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.

 

Section 9.05.     Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.06.     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.07.     Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

Section 9.08.     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)     Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party hereto may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)     Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 9.08. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)     Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

Section 9.09.     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

Section 9.10.     Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 9.11.     Conflicts. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Secured Debt Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

Section 9.12.     Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the distinct and separate relative rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties. None of Goodrich, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement (provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.04, 4.05, or 4.10) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Priority Credit Agreement or the Second Lien Indenture, as applicable) and except as expressly provided in this Agreement neither Goodrich nor any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.04, 4.05, or 4.10, Article V, Article VII and Article IX). Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of Goodrich or any other Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Obligations under the Secured Debt Documents as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Secured Debt Document, the Grantors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to this Agreement, any Priority Lien Document or any Second Lien Document with respect to any Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any Priority Lien Document.

 

Section 9.13.     Certain Terms Concerning the Second Lien Agent. The Second Lien Agent is executing and delivering this Agreement solely in its capacity as such and pursuant to direction set forth in the Second Lien Indenture; and in so doing, the Second Lien Agent shall not be responsible for the terms or sufficiency of this Agreement for any purpose. The Second Lien Agent shall have no duties or obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement other than such duties and obligations as may be expressly set forth in this Agreement as duties and obligations on its part to be performed or observed. In entering into this Agreement, or in taking (or forbearing from) any action under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Second Lien Agent shall have and be protected by all of the rights, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under the Second Lien Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents.

 

Section 9.14.     Certain Terms Concerning the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent. Neither of the Priority Lien Agent nor the Second Lien Agent shall have any liability or responsibility for the actions or omissions of any other Secured Party, or for any other Secured Party’s compliance with (or failure to comply with) the terms of this Agreement. Neither of the Priority Lien Agent nor the Second Lien Agent shall have individual liability to any Person if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to any Secured Party (or Goodrich) any amounts in violation of the terms of this Agreement, so long as the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Agent, as the case may be, is acting in good faith. Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that each of the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Agent is entering into this Agreement solely in its capacity under the Priority Lien Documents and the Second Lien Documents, respectively, and not in its individual capacity. (a) The Priority Lien Agent shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party and (b) the Second Lien Agent shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party.

 

Section 9.15.     Authorization of Secured Agents. By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Priority Lien Security Documents, each Priority Lien Secured Party authorizes the Priority Lien Agent to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith. By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents, each Second Lien Secured Party authorizes the Second Lien Agent to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith.

 

Section 9.16.     Further Assurances. Each of the Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, and each Grantor party hereto, for itself and on behalf of its subsidiaries, agrees that it will execute, or will cause to be executed, any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, as may be required under any applicable law, or which the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Agent may reasonably request, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, including the relative Lien priorities provided for herein.

 

Section 9.17.     Relationship of Secured Parties. Nothing set forth herein shall create or evidence a joint venture, partnership or an agency or fiduciary relationship among the Secured Parties. None of the Secured Parties nor any of their respective directors, officers, agents or employees shall be responsible to any other Secured Party or to any other Person for any Grantor’s solvency, financial condition or ability to repay the Priority Lien Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations, or for statements of any Grantor, oral or written, or for the validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Priority Lien Documents or the Second Lien Documents, or any security interests granted by any Grantor to any Secured Party in connection therewith. Each Secured Party has entered into its respective financing agreements with the Grantors based upon its own independent investigation, and neither the Priority Lien Agent nor the Second Lien Agent makes any warranty or representation to the other Secured Debt Representatives or the Secured Parties for which it acts as agent nor does it rely upon any representation of the other agents or the Secured Parties for which it acts as agent with respect to matters identified or referred to in this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

SUNTRUST BANK, as Priority Lien Agent

 

 

By:

Name:     _______________________
Title:     _______________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Second Lien Agent

 

 

By:

Name:     _______________________

Title:     _______________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

 

By:

Name:     Michael J. Killelan

Title:     Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

By:

Name:     Michael J. Killelan

Title:          Senior Vice President, General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

ANNEX I

 

Provision for the Second Lien Indenture and all Second Lien Security Documents that Grant a Security Interest in Collateral

 

Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May [ ], 2019, between SunTrust Bank, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Second Lien Agent (as defined therein) and acknowledged and agreed by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. and certain of its subsidiaries (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”). Each Person that is secured hereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided hereby, (i) consents (or is deemed to consent), to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) the Second Lien Agent (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of such Person to enter into, and perform under, the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement was delivered, or made available, to such Person.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, this Agreement, the Liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent provided therein, the applicable Security Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A
to Intercreditor Agreement

[FORM OF]
PRIORITY CONFIRMATION JOINDER

 

Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) between SunTrust Bank, as Priority Lien Agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Second Lien Agent for the Second Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein) and acknowledged and agreed by Goodrich Petroleum Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries.

 

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement. This Priority Confirmation Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.04 of the Intercreditor Agreement as a condition precedent to the debt for which the undersigned is acting as representative being entitled to the rights and obligations of being [Priority][Second] Lien Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

1.     Joinder. The undersigned, [_______________], a [_____________], (the “New Representative”) as [trustee] [collateral trustee] [administrative agent] [collateral agent] under that certain [describe applicable indenture, credit agreement or other document governing the [Priority][Second] Lien Obligations hereby:

 

(a)     represents that the New Representative has been authorized to become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement on behalf of the [Priority Lien Secured Parties under a Priority Substitute Credit Facility] [Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Substitute Facility] as [a Priority Lien Agent under a Priority Substitute Credit Facility] [a Second Lien Agent under a Second Lien Substitute Facility] under the Intercreditor Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement as of the date thereof; and

 

(b)     agrees that its address for receiving notices pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be as follows:

 

[Address];

 

2.     Full Force and Effect of Intercreditor Agreement. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

3.     Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions. The provisions of Article IX of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Priority Confirmation Joinder.

 

4.     Expenses. Goodrich agree to reimburse each Secured Debt Representative for its reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with this Priority Confirmation Joinder, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Priority Confirmation Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of [_____________, 20___].

 

[insert name of New Representative]

 

By:          

Name:          

Title:          

 

The Priority Lien Agent hereby acknowledges receipt of this Priority Confirmation Joinder [and agrees to act as Priority Lien Agent for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby]:

 


as Priority Lien Agent

 

By:          

Name:          

Title:          

 

The Second Lien Agent hereby acknowledges receipt of this Priority Confirmation Joinder [and agrees to act as Second Lien Agent for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby]:

 


as Second Lien Agent

 

By:          

Name:          

Title:          

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to by:

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

By:          

Name:          

Title:          

 

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

By:          

Name:          

Title:          

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B
to Intercreditor Agreement

SECURITY DOCUMENTS3

 

PART A.      

 

List of Priority Lien Security Documents

 

1.

Second Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019 (as amended, modified, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time) among Goodrich, each subsidiary of Goodrich party thereto and the Priority Lien Agent as Administrative Agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties

 

2.

Each mortgage and deed of trust executed and delivered by Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Priority Lien Agent, to secure the Priority Lien Obligations, except to the extent released by the Priority Lien Agent in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Security Documents.

 

3.

Each UCC Financing Statement filed in connection with the documents listed in items 1 and 2 of this Part A.

 

4.

Deposit Account Control Agreement, dated as of May [ ], 2019, among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depository bank, the Priority Lien Agent and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Second Lien Agent.

 

PART B.      

 

List of Second Lien Security Documents

 

1.

Second Lien Collateral Agreement, dated as of May [ ], 2019 (as amended, modified, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time) among Goodrich, each subsidiary of Goodrich party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Collateral Agent.

 

2.

Each mortgage and deed of trust entered into from time to time, executed and delivered by Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C. or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Second Lien Agent, to secure the Second Lien Obligations, except to the extent released by the Second Lien Agent in accordance with this Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

3.

Each UCC Financing Statement filed in connection with the documents listed in items 2 and 3 of this Part B.

 

4.

Deposit Account Control Agreement, dated as of May [ ], 2019, among Goodrich Petroleum Company, L.L.C., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depository bank, the Priority Lien Agent and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the Second Lien Agent.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (including all exhibits hereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May [●], 2019, by and among Goodrich Petroleum Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and certain funds and accounts managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager, and any additional parties identified on the signature pages of any joinder agreement executed and delivered pursuant hereto (each a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”).

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is made in connection with the issuance and sale of the Initial Notes pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, by and among the Company and the Initial Holders (the “Note Purchase Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the registration and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Holders have agreed to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities in furtherance of the foregoing.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Initial Holders agree as follows:

 

1.     Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Advice” has the meaning set forth in Section 15(c).

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used in this definition means the possession, directly or indirectly (including through one or more intermediaries), of the power or authority to direct or cause the direction of management, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

beneficially own” (and related terms such as “beneficial ownership” and “beneficial owner”) shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, and any Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required by law to be closed.

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and any securities into which such shares of common stock may hereinafter be reclassified.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Conversion Shares” means the shares of Common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

 

Counsel to the Holders” means (i) with respect to any Demand Registration, the counsel selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration and (ii) with respect to any Underwritten Takedown or Piggyback Registration, the counsel selected by the Majority Holders.

 

Demand Registration Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

Effective Date” means the date that a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is first declared effective by the Commission.

 

Equity Holders” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

 

Equity Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof) made and entered into as of October 12, 2016, by and among the Company and the other parties identified on Schedule I thereto who were issued shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

FINRA” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.

 

Form S-1” means form S-1 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act.

 

Form S-3” means form S-3 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-3.

 

Form S-4” means form S-4 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-4.

 

Form S-8” means form S-8 under the Securities Act, or any other form hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same usage as Form S-8.

 

Grace Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a)(B).

 

Holder” or “Holders” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to hold any Registrable Securities.

 

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c).

 

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(c).

 

Initial Holders” means the Holders as of the date hereof.

 

Initial Notes” means the $12,000,000 million of 13.50% Convertible Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Company, the guarantors named therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, purchased by the Initial Holders on the date hereof pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

Initial Shelf Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).

 

Initial Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).

 

Majority Holders” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such Underwritten Offering held by all Holders that have made the request requiring the Company to conduct such Underwritten Offering (but not including any Holders that have exercised “piggyback” rights hereunder to be included in such Underwritten Offering).

 

Notes” means the Initial Notes and the PIK Notes.

 

Other Holder” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Piggyback Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

Piggyback Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

 

PIK Notes” means any additional notes issued as payment-in-kind on the Initial Notes or on any previously issued PIK Notes.

 

Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

 

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

7

Registrable Securities” means, collectively, (a) all Notes issued to any Holder or to any Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder, either directly or pursuant to a joinder or assignment (including any Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of such Notes), and any additional Notes (including any Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of such Notes) acquired by any Holder, Affiliate or Related Fund of any Holder in open market or other purchases after the date hereof and (b) any additional Notes, Conversion Shares or shares of Common Stock paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such Notes or Conversion Shares by way of pay-in-kind interest, dividend, split or distribution, or in connection with a combination of securities, and any security into which such Notes or Conversion Shares shall have been converted or exchanged in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, exchange, distribution or otherwise; provided, however, that as to any Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to constitute Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement; (ii) the date on which such securities are disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) promulgated under the Securities Act; and (iii) the date on which such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding.

 

Registration Statement” means any one or more registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act that covers the resale of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation any Shelf Registration Statement), amendments and supplements to such Registration Statements, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statements.

 

Related Fund” means, with respect to any Person, any fund, account or investment vehicle that is controlled or managed by such Person, by any Affiliate of such Person, or, if applicable, such Person’s investment manager.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

Rule 158” means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

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

 

Selling Stockholder Questionnaire” means a questionnaire reasonably adopted by the Company from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with the Securities Act for the offer and sale of Registrable Securities by Holders on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415.

 

Smaller Reporting Company” means a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K, as such definition may be amended from time to time.

 

Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.

 

Underwritten Offering” means an offering of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement in which the Registrable Securities are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

Underwritten Takedown” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f).

 

Warrants” means the warrants, exercisable for shares of Common Stock, issued by the Company pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

Warrant Holders” means, collectively, each Person that is a “Holder” (as defined in the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement) as of the relevant determination date.

 

Warrant Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement (including all exhibits thereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, made and entered into as of October 12, 2016, by and among the Company and the persons to whom the Warrants were issued on such date.

 

2.     Initial Shelf Registration.

 

(a)     The Company shall prepare a Shelf Registration Statement (the “Initial Shelf Registration Statement”), and shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities requested by each of the Holders for inclusion therein by written notice to the Company no later than 30 days after the date hereof. The Company shall file the Initial Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission on or prior to the 90th day following the date hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities of any Holder unless such Holder otherwise timely complies with the requirements of this Agreement with respect to the inclusion of such Registrable Securities in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b)     The Company shall include in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement all Registrable Securities whose inclusion has been timely requested as aforesaid; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to include an amount of Registrable Securities in excess of the amount as may be permitted to be included in such Registration Statement under the rules and regulations of the Commission and the applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission.

 

(c)     The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (or any equivalent or successor form) under the Securities Act, or to the extent the Company is not eligible to use Form S-3 or any equivalent or successor form or forms, on Form S-1 or any comparable or successor form; provided, however, that if the Company has filed the registration statement on Form S-1 and subsequently becomes eligible to use Form S-3 or any equivalent or successor form or forms, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to (i) file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement converting such registration statement on Form S-1 to a registration statement on Form S-3 or any equivalent or successor form or forms or (ii) withdraw the registration statement on Form S-1 and file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any equivalent or successor form or forms.

 

(d)     The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable, and in any event not later than the 180th day following the date hereof, and shall use its reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission until the date that all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities (such date, the “Initial Shelf Expiration Date”). In the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in effect.

 

(e)     If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is on Form S-1, then for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (ii) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

 

(f)     Upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering (each, an “Underwritten Takedown”), in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $12 million.

 

3.     Subsequent Shelf Registration Statements

 

(a)     After (i) the Effective Date of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and prior to the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and (ii) for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) ensure that it will be eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1 after the Initial Shelf Expiration Date.

 

(b)     After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date and for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to (A) be eligible and/or to maintain its eligibility to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, and (B) meet the requirements of General Instruction VII of Form S-1.

 

(c)     After the Initial Shelf Expiration Date, if there is not an effective Registration Statement which includes the Registrable Securities that is currently outstanding, the Company shall (i) if the Company is eligible to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, (ii) if the Company is a Smaller Reporting Company eligible to incorporate by reference pursuant to Item 12(b) of Form S-1, promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective or (iii) promptly file a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 and use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective and for so long as any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1 remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (x) such Shelf Registration Statement shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (y) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K; provided, however, that these obligations remain subject to the Company’s rights under Section 6.

 

4.     Demand Registration

 

(a)     At any time and from time to time on or following the date hereof, any Holder or group of Holders may request in writing (“Demand Registration Request”) that the Company effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities with the Commission under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act. The Company will file a Registration Statement covering such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities requested to be registered, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective, as promptly as practicable after receipt of such request; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to file a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 4(a):

 

(A)     unless either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities requested to be registered on such Registration Statement equals at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement have an anticipated aggregate gross offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $12 million;

 

(B)     if the Registrable Securities requested to be registered are already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement and such Registration Statement may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered;

 

(C)     if a registration statement filed by the Company shall have previously been initially declared effective by the Commission within the one hundred eighty (180) days preceding the date such Demand Registration Request is made; and

 

(D)     if the number of Demand Registration Requests previously made pursuant to this Section 4(a) shall equal or exceed five (5); provided, however that a Demand Registration Request shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (D) unless the requested Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission for more than 75% of the full amount of Registrable Securities for which registration has been requested.

 

(b)     A Demand Registration Request shall specify (i) the then-current name and address of such Holder or Holders, (ii) the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities requested to be registered, (iii) the total amount of Registrable Securities then beneficially owned by such Holder or Holders, and (iv) the intended means of distribution. If at the time the Demand Registration Request is made the Company appears, based on public information available to such Holder or Holders, eligible to use Form S-3 for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities, the Holder or Holders making such request may request that the registration be in the form of a Shelf Registration Statement (for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be under the obligation to file a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 if, upon the advice of its counsel, it is not eligible to make such a filing).

 

(c)     The Company may satisfy its obligations under Section 4(a) hereof by amending (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any registration statement previously filed by the Company under the Securities Act, so that such amended registration statement will permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified as aforesaid) of all of the Registrable Securities for which a Demand Registration Request has been properly made under Section 4(b) hereof. If the Company so amends a previously filed registration statement, it will be deemed to have effected a registration for purposes of Section 4(a) hereof; provided, however that the Effective Date of the amended registration statement, as amended pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be the “the first day of effectiveness” of such Registration Statement for purposes of determining the period during which the Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective in accordance with Section 4(e) hereof.

 

(d)     Within ten (10) days after receiving a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, include in such registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice, provided that such Registrable Securities are not already covered by an existing and effective Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in the manner so requested.

 

(e)     The Company will use its reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement that has become effective as contemplated by this Section 4 continuously effective, and not subject to any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission:

 

(A)     in the case of a Registration Statement other than a Shelf Registration Statement, until all Registrable Securities registered thereunder have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, but in no event later than two hundred seventy (270) days from the Effective Date of such Registration Statement; and

 

(B)     in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, until the earlier of: (x) three (3) years following the Effective Date of such Shelf Registration Statement; and (y) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be Registrable Securities;

 

provided, however, that in the event of any stop order, injunction or other similar order or requirement of the Commission relating to any Shelf Registration Statement, if any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement remain unsold, the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which such stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement is in effect; provided further, however, that if any Shelf Registration Statement was initially declared effective on Form S-3 and, prior to the date determined pursuant to Section 4(e)(B), the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3, the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be required to remain effective will be extended by the number of days during which the Company did not have an effective Registration Statement covering unsold Registrable Securities initially registered on such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(f)     The Holder or Holders making a Demand Registration Request may, at any time prior to the Effective Date of the Registration Statement relating to such registration, revoke their request for the Company to effect the registration of all or part of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities by providing a written notice to the Company. If, pursuant to the preceding sentence, the entire Demand Registration Request is revoked, then, at the option of the Holder or Holders who revoke such request, either (i) such Holder or Holders shall reimburse the Company for all of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the preparation, filing and processing of the Registration Statement, which out-of-pocket expenses, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include overhead expenses and which requested registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registration Requests hereunder or (ii) the requested registration that has been revoked will be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section 4(a).

 

(g)     If a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 4 is a Shelf Registration Statement, then upon the demand of one or more Holders, the Company shall facilitate a “takedown” of Registrable Securities in the form of an Underwritten Offering, in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 5 of this Agreement, provided that either (i) the principal amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such “takedown” shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders or (ii) the Registrable Securities requested to be sold by the Holders in such “takedown” shall have an anticipated aggregate offering price (before deducting underwriting discounts and commission) of at least $12 million.

 

5.     Procedures for Underwritten Offerings. The following procedures shall govern Underwritten Offerings pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g), whether in the case of an Underwritten Takedown or otherwise.

 

(a)     (i) The Majority Holders shall select one or more investment banking firm(s) of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Takedown with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and (ii) the Company shall select one or more investment banking firms of national standing to be the managing underwriter or underwriters for any other Underwritten Offering with the consent of the Majority Holders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(b)     All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through an Underwritten Offering, as a condition for inclusion of their Registrable Securities therein, shall agree to enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters; provided, however that the underwriting agreement is in customary form and reasonably acceptable to the Majority Holders and provided, further, however that no Holder of Registrable Securities included in any Underwritten Offering shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding (i) such Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (ii) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested).

 

(c)     If the managing underwriter or underwriters for an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Takedown advises the Holders that the total amount of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock permitted to be registered is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities or other shares of Common Stock to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows: first, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the securities of the Company to be included by any Person other than a Holder, an Equity Holder, a Warrant Holder or the Company; second, the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company to be included by the Company; third, the Company shall reduce or eliminate any securities of the Company, other than Registrable Securities, to be included by any Equity Holder and/or Warrant Holder entitled to participate therein on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of such securities requested by the Equity Holders and/or Warrant Holders to be included in the Underwritten Offering; and fourth, the Company shall reduce the amount of Registrable Securities to be included by Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total amount of Registrable Securities requested by the Holders to be included in the Underwritten Offering.

 

(d)     Within ten (10) days after receiving a request for an Underwritten Offering constituting a “takedown” from a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall give written notice of such request to all other Holders, and subject to the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof, include in such Underwritten Offering all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the Company’s giving of such notice; provided, however that such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered.

 

(e)     The Company will not be required to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) if the number of Underwritten Offerings previously made pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g) in the immediately preceding twelve (12)-month period shall exceed three (3); provided that an Underwritten Offering shall not be considered made for purposes of this clause (e) unless the offering has resulted in the disposition by the Holders of at least 75% of the amount of Registrable Securities requested to be included.

 

6.     Grace Periods.

 

(a)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein—

 

(A)     the Company shall be entitled to postpone the filing or effectiveness of, or, at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission suspend the use of, a Registration Statement (including the Prospectus included therein) if in the good faith judgment of the Board, such registration, offering or use would reasonably be expected to materially affect in an adverse manner or materially interfere with any bona fide material financing of the Company or any material transaction under consideration by the Company or would require the disclosure of information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public and the premature disclosure of which would materially affect the Company in an adverse manner; provided however, that in the event such Registration Statement relates to a Demand Registration Request or an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2(f) or Section 4(g), then the Holders initiating such Demand Registration Request or such Underwritten Offering shall be entitled to withdraw the Demand Registration Request or request for the Underwritten Offering and, if such request is withdrawn, it shall not count against the limits imposed pursuant to Section 4(a)(D) or Section 5(e) and the Company shall pay all registration expenses in connection with such registration; and

 

(B)     at any time after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission and there is no duty to disclose under applicable law, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public information concerning the Company if the disclosure of such information at the time would, in the good faith judgment of the Board, adversely affect the Company (the period of a postponement or suspension as described in clause (A) and/or a delay described in this clause (B), a “Grace Period”).

 

(b)     The Company shall promptly (i) notify the Holders in writing of the existence of the event or material non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that the Company shall not disclose the content of such material non-public information to any Holder, without the express consent of such Holder) or the need to file a post-effective amendment, as applicable, and the date on which such Grace Period will begin, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to terminate a Grace Period as promptly as practicable and (iii) notify the Holders in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends.

 

(c)     The duration of any one Grace Period shall not exceed sixty (60) days, and the aggregate of all Grace Periods in total during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period shall not exceed ninety (90) days. For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period, the Grace Period shall be deemed to begin on and include the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (i) of Section 6(b) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Holders receive the notice referred to in clause (iii) of Section 6(b) and the date referred to in such notice. In the event the Company declares a Grace Period, the period during which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of an Initial Shelf Registration Statement or a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Registration Request shall be extended by the number of days during which such Grace Period is in effect.

 

7.     Piggyback Registration

 

(a)     If at any time, and from time to time, the Company proposes to—

 

(A)     file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an underwritten offering of Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock of the Company (other than with respect to a registration statement (i) on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, (ii) on Form S-4 or any successor form thereto or (iii) another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public), whether or not for its own account; or

 

(B)     conduct an underwritten offering constituting a “takedown” of a class of Common Stock or any securities convertible or exercisable into Common Stock registered under a shelf registration statement previously filed by the Company;

 

the Company shall give written notice (the “Piggyback Notice”) of such proposed filing or underwritten offering to the Holders at least twenty (20) Business Days before the anticipated filing date. Such notice shall include the amount and class of securities proposed to be registered or offered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement or the conduct of such underwritten offering, any proposed means of distribution of such securities, any proposed managing underwriter of such securities and a good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed maximum offering price of such securities as such price is proposed to appear on the front cover page of such registration statement (or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, would appear on the front cover page of a registration statement), and shall offer the Holders the opportunity to register such amount of Registrable Securities as each Holder may request on the same terms and conditions as the registration of the Company’s and/or the holders of other securities of the Company securities, as the case may be (a “Piggyback Offering”). Subject to Section 7(b), the Company will include in each Piggyback Offering all Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion within ten (10) Business Days after the date the Piggyback Notice is given; provided, however, that in the case of the filing of a registration statement, such Registrable Securities are not otherwise registered pursuant to an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement under this Agreement; provided further, however that, in the case of an underwritten offering in the form of a “takedown” under a shelf registration statement, such Registrable Securities are covered by an existing and effective Shelf Registration Statement that may be utilized for the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be offered.

 

(b)     The Company will cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of the proposed offering to permit the Holders that have requested Registrable Securities to be included in the Piggyback Offering to include all such Registrable Securities on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities, if any, of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering advises the Company and the selling Holders in writing that, in its view, the total amount of securities that the Company, such Holders and any other holders entitled to participate in such offering (“Other Holders”) propose to include in such offering is such as to materially adversely affect the success of such underwritten offering, then:

 

(A)     if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten primary offering by the Company for its own account, the Company will include in such Piggyback Offering: (i) first, all securities to be offered by the Company; (ii) second, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Warrant Holders entitled to participate in such offering, allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; and (iii) third, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by all other Other Holders;

 

(B)     if such Piggyback Offering is an underwritten secondary offering for the account of Other Holders exercising “demand” rights, the Company will include in such registration: (i) first, all securities of the Other Holders exercising “demand” rights requested to be included therein; (ii) second, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by the Holders and the Equity Holders and the Warrant Holders entitled to participate in such offering (except for any of the foregoing groups to the extent such group was the group exercising such “demand” right), allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such holder; (iii) third, up to the full amount of securities proposed to be included in the registration by the Company; and (iv) fourth, up to the full amount of securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Offering by any other Other Holders entitled to participate therein, allocated pro rata among such other Other Holders on the basis of the amount of securities requested to be included therein by each such other Other Holder;

 

such that, in each case, the total amount of securities to be included in such Piggyback Offering is the full amount that, in the view of such managing underwriter, can be sold without materially adversely affecting the success of such Piggyback Offering.

 

(c)     If at any time after giving the Piggyback Notice and prior to the time sales of securities are confirmed pursuant to the Piggyback Offering, the Company determines for any reason not to register or delay the registration of the Piggyback Offering, the Company may, at its election, give notice of its determination to all Holders, and in the case of such a determination, will be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with the abandoned or delayed Piggyback Offering, without prejudice.

 

(d)     Any Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in a Piggyback Offering may withdraw its request for inclusion by giving written notice to the Company, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated Effective Date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Offering, or in the case of a Piggyback Offering constituting a “takedown” off of a shelf registration statement, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the anticipated date of the filing by the Company under Rule 424 of a supplemental prospectus (which shall be the preliminary supplemental prospectus, if one is used in the “takedown”) with respect to such offering, of its intention to withdraw from that registration; provided, however, that (i) the Holder’s request be made in writing and (ii) the withdrawal will be irrevocable and, after making the withdrawal, a Holder will no longer have any right to include its Registrable Securities in that Piggyback Offering.

 

8.     Registration Procedures. If and when the Company is required to effect any registration under the Securities Act as provided in Sections 2(a), 4(a), 5 or 7 of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to:

 

(a)     prepare and file with the Commission the requisite Registration Statement to effect such registration and thereafter use its reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective, subject to the limitations contained herein;

 

(b)     prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in accordance with the method of disposition set forth in such Registration Statement, subject to the limitations contained herein;

 

(c)     (i) before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, at the Company’s expense, furnish to the Holders whose securities are covered by the Registration Statement copies of all such documents, other than documents that are incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, proposed to be filed and such other documents reasonably requested by such Holders (which may be furnished by email), and afford Counsel to the Holders a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such documents; and (ii) in connection with the preparation and filing of each such Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, (A) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company, give each of the foregoing such reasonable access to all financial and other records, corporate documents and properties of the Company as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and Exchange Act, and (B) upon reasonable advance notice to the Company and during normal business hours, provide such reasonable opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers, directors, employees and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of Counsel to the Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable due diligence investigation for purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

 

(d)     notify each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed;

 

(e)     with respect to any offering of Registrable Securities, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities, and the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Offering, if any, without charge, such number of copies of the applicable Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, and any other Prospectus (including any Prospectus filed under Rule 424, Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act and any “issuer free writing prospectus” as such term is defined under Rule 433 promulgated under the Securities Act), all exhibits and other documents filed therewith and such other documents as such seller or such managing underwriters may reasonably request including in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller, and upon request, a copy of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence to or received from, the Commission or any other governmental authority relating to such offer;

 

(f)     (i) register or qualify all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such states or other jurisdictions of the United States of America as the Holders covered by such Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing, (ii) keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and (iii) take any other action that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities to be sold by such Holders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this subsection (f) be obligated to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

(g)     cause all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other federal or state governmental agencies or authorities as necessary upon the opinion of counsel to the Company or Counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to enable such Holder or Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;

 

(h)     with respect to any Underwritten Offering, obtain and, if obtained, furnish to each Holder that is named as an underwriter in such Underwritten Offering and each other underwriter thereof, a signed

 

(A)     opinion of outside counsel for the Company (including a customary 10b-5 statement), dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of opinions of issuers’ counsel customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such underwriters, if any, and

 

(B)     “comfort” letter, dated the date of the Underwriting Agreement and another dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and addressed to the underwriters and signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, reasonably satisfactory (based on the customary form and substance of “cold comfort” letters of issuers’ independent public accountant customarily given in such an offering) in form and substance to such Holder and such underwriters, if any,

 

in each case, covering substantially the same matters with respect to such Registration Statement (and the Prospectus included therein) and, in the case of the accountants’ comfort letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ comfort letters delivered to underwriters in such types of offerings of securities;

 

(i)     notify each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made and for which the Company chooses to suspend the use of the Registration Statement and Prospectus in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, at the written request of any such Holder, promptly prepare and furnish to it a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such Prospectus, as supplemented or amended, shall 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 under which they were made;

 

(j)     notify the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;

 

(k)     advise the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement promptly after the Company receives notice or obtains knowledge of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to the Registrable Securities at the earliest practicable moment and promptly use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal;

 

(l)     otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and any other governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction over the offering of Registrable Securities, and make available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months, but not more than eighteen (18) months, beginning with the first (1st) full calendar month after the Effective Date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder and which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Form 10-Q and 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

(m)     provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement no later than the Effective Date thereof;

 

(n)     enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including customary indemnification; and provide reasonable cooperation, including causing at least one (1) executive officer and a senior financial officer to attend and participate in “road shows” and other information meetings organized by the underwriters, if any, as reasonably requested; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company to participate in more than two (2) “road shows” in any twelve (12)-month period and such participation shall not unreasonably interfere with the business operations of the Company;

 

(o)     if requested by the managing underwriter(s) or the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information relating to the plan of distribution for such Registrable Securities provided to the Company in writing by the managing underwriters and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold and that is required to be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, including without limitation, information with respect to the amount of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the Underwritten Offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, and make any required filings with respect to such information relating to the plan of distribution as soon as practicable after notified of the information;

 

(p)     cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such amounts and registered in such names as the managing underwriters, or, if none, the Holders beneficially owning a majority of the Registrable Securities being offered for sale, may reasonably request at least three (3) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters; and

 

(q)     otherwise use its reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

In addition, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify each Holder of the information the Company requires from that Holder, including any update to or confirmation of the information contained in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, if any, which shall be completed and delivered to the Company promptly upon request and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable anticipated filing date. Each Holder further agrees that it shall not be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement or use the Prospectus for offers and resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such Holder has returned to the Company a completed and signed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire and a response to any requests for further information as described in the previous sentence and, if an Underwritten Offering, entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters in accordance with Section 5(b). If a Holder of Registrable Securities returns a Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or a request for further information, in either case, after its respective deadline, the Company shall be permitted to exclude such Holder from being a selling security holder in the Registration Statement or any pre-effective or post-effective amendment thereto. Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the information in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or request for further information as described in this Section 8 will be used by the Company in the preparation of the Registration Statement and hereby consents to the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement.

 

9.     Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement (excluding any underwriting discounts, fees or selling commissions or broker or similar commissions or fees, or transfer taxes of any Holder) shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with any stock exchange on which any Registrable Securities are then listed for trading, (B) with respect to compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company in connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) pursuant to the FINRA Rule 5110, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with any road show for underwritten offerings, (vi) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Counsel to the Holders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses of Counsel to the Holders in connection with the filing or amendment of any Registration Statement, Prospectus or free writing prospectus hereunder. Each Holder that sells Registrable Securities pursuant to an Underwritten Offering shall bear and pay all underwriting discounts, fees and commissions applicable to the Registrable Securities sold for such Holder’s account.

 

10.     Lockups.

 

(a)     In connection with any Underwritten Takedown or underwritten registration pursuant to a Demand Registration Request or other underwritten public offering of equity securities by the Company, except with the written consent of the underwriters managing such offering, no Holder who participates in such offering or beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at such time and an amount of Registrable Securities that exceeds three percent (3%) of the outstanding Registrable Securities held by all Holders shall effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Company, during the seven (7) days prior to and the ninety (90)-day period beginning on the date of closing of such offering (the “Lockup Period”), except as part of such offering, provided, that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Company and all of its and its subsidiaries’ executive officers and directors; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Holder from making a distribution of Registrable Securities to any of its partners, members or stockholders thereof or a transfer of Registrable Securities to an Affiliate or Related Fund that is otherwise in compliance with the applicable securities laws, so long as such distributees or transferees, as applicable, agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 10(a); provided, further, that nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the ability of any Holder from participating in any such offering, to the extent otherwise permitted, through the exercise of “piggyback” or similar rights that such Holder may otherwise have under the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or Warrant Registration Rights Agreement. Each Holder agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Company’s underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Company’s underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 10(a). The provisions of this Section 10(a) will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold Registrable Securities.

 

(b)     In connection with any Underwritten Offering, the Company shall not effect any public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, without prior written consent from the Majority Holders, during the Lockup Period, except as part of such offering, provided, that such Lockup Period restrictions are applicable on substantially similar terms to the Majority Holders. The Company agrees to execute a lock-up agreement in favor of the Majority Holders’ underwriters to such effect and, in any event, that the Majority Holders’ underwriters in any relevant offering shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 10(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may effect a public sale or distribution of securities of the type described above and during the periods described above if such sale or distribution is made pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or as part of any registration of securities or offering and sale to employees, directors or consultants of the company and its subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement.

 

11.     Indemnification.

 

(a)     Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, Affiliates and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, investment managers, stockholders, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), to which any of them may become subject, that arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements, alleged untrue statements, omissions or alleged omissions are based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i), related to the use by a Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated and defined in Section 15(c) below, but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c)), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

 

(b)     Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its respective directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or are based solely upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was provided by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 8(i), to the extent, but only to the extent, related to the use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 15(c), but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11(c)), shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and shall be in addition to any liability which the Holder may otherwise have.

 

(c)     Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

 

An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that in the reasonable judgment of such counsel a conflict of interest exists if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable and documented fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section 11(c)) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, with reasonable promptness after receipt of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally judicially determined to not be entitled to indemnification hereunder. The failure to deliver written notice to the Indemnifying Party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any liability to the Indemnified Party under this Section 11, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

(d)     Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 11(a) or (b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each 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 Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11(d), no Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. 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 was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

12.     Rule 144 and Rule 144A; Other Exemptions. With a view to making available to the Holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and other rules and regulations of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder of Registrable Securities to sell securities of the Company without registration, until such time as when no Registrable Securities remain outstanding, the Company covenants that it will (i) file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required, if any, to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and (ii) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144 and Rule 144A, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rules may be amended from time to time or (y) any other rules or regulations now existing or hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information requirements, and, if not, the specific reasons for non-compliance.

 

13.     Transfer of Registration Rights. Any Holder may freely assign its rights hereunder on a pro rata basis in connection with any sale, transfer, assignment, or other conveyance (any of the foregoing, a “Transfer”) of Registrable Securities to any transferee or assignee; provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (a) such Transfer is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws; (b) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such Transfer, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned; and further provided, that (i) any rights assigned hereunder shall apply only in respect of the Registrable Securities that are Transferred and not in respect of any other securities that the transferee or assignee may hold and (ii) any Registrable Securities that are Transferred may cease to constitute Registrable Securities following such Transfer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

14.     Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute all such further instruments and documents and take all such further action as any other party hereto may reasonably require in order to effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

 

15.     Miscellaneous.

 

(a)     Remedies. Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(b)     Compliance. Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement and shall sell the Registrable Securities only in accordance with a method of distribution described in each Registration Statement

 

(c)     Discontinued Disposition. By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of a Grace Period or any event of the kind described in Section 8(i), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this paragraph.

 

(d)     Preservation of Rights. Except as may otherwise be contained in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement or the Warrant Registration Rights Agreement (in each case as of, and as in effect on, the date hereof), the Company shall not grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder unless any such more favorable rights are concurrently added to the rights granted hereunder.

 

(e)     No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

 

(f)     Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, or waived unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that any party may give a waiver as to itself; provided further, however that no amendment, modification, supplement, or waiver that disproportionately and adversely affects, alters, or changes the interests of any Holder shall be effective against such Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder; and provided further that the waiver of any provision with respect to any Registration Statement or offering may be given by Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities entitled to participate in such offering or, if such offering shall have been commenced, having elected to participate in such offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of certain Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. No waiver of any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other breach of such terms and conditions or any other term or condition, nor shall any failure to enforce any provision hereof operate as a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof. No written waiver hereunder, unless it by its own terms explicitly provides to the contrary, shall be construed to effect a continuing waiver of the provisions being waived and no such waiver in any instance shall constitute a waiver in any other instance or for any other purpose or impair the right of the party against whom such waiver is claimed in all other instances or for all other purposes to require full compliance with such provision. The failure of any party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such provision and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

(g)     Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or regular mail, by private national courier service (return receipt requested, postage prepaid), by personal delivery, by electronic mail or by facsimile transmission. Such notice or communication shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, (ii) if sent by national courier service, one Business Day after being sent, (iii) if delivered personally, when so delivered, (iv) if sent by electronic mail, on the Business Day such electronic mail is transmitted, or (v) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the Business Day such facsimile is transmitted, in each case as follows:

 

(A)     If to the Company:

 

Goodrich Petroleum Corporation
Attn: Michael J. Killelea, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
801 Louisiana, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
Tel: (713) 780-9494
Fax: (713) 780-9254
E-mail: Mike.Killelea@goodrichpetroleum.com

 

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

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Attn: Mike Telle
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002-6760
Tel: (713) 758-2350
Fax: (713) 615-5651
E-mail: mtelle@velaw.com

 

(B)     If to the Holders (or to any of them), at their addresses as they appear in the records of the Company or the records of the transfer agent or registrar, if any, for the Registrable Securities.

 

If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day which is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York or the jurisdiction in which the Company’s principal office is located, the time period shall automatically be extended to the Business Day immediately following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

 

(h)     Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any trustee in bankruptcy). In addition, and whether or not any express assignment shall have been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the Holders of Registrable Securities (or any portion thereof) as such shall be for the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent holder of any Registrable Securities (or of such portion thereof); provided, that such subsequent holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to execute a joinder to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company agreeing to be bound by its terms. No assignment or delegation of this Agreement by the Company, or any of the Company’s rights, interests or obligations hereunder, shall be effective against any Holder without the prior written consent of such Holder.

 

(i)     Execution and Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

(j)     Delivery by Facsimile. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

(k)     Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each of the parties to this Agreement consents and agrees that any action to enforce this Agreement or any dispute, whether such dispute arises in law or equity, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New York State Court sitting in New York City. The parties hereto consent and agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the parties to this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert in any such dispute, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that (i) such party and such party’s property is immune from any legal process issued by such courts or (ii) any litigation or other proceeding commenced in such courts is brought in an inconvenient forum. The parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding to an address provided in writing by the recipient of such mailing, or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service in the manner herein provided.

 

(l)     Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 15(l) AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

(m)     Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

(n)     Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include”, “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”. The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

 

(o)     Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

 

(p)     Termination. The obligations of the Company and of any Holder, other than those obligations contained in Section 11 and this Section 15, shall terminate with respect to the Company and such Holder as soon as such Holder no longer beneficially owns any Registrable Securities.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GOODRICH PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

 

By:          

Name:     Michael J. Killelea

Title:     Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

INITIAL HOLDERS:

 

Funds and Accounts set forth on Schedule 1 hereto

 

By: FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC., as investment manager

 

 

By:          

Name:

Title:

 

Schedule 1

 

 

Initial Holders

 

 

Franklin High Income Trust-Franklin High Income Fund

FT Opportunistic Distressed Fund, Ltd.