UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 3, 2017

 

ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   31104   20-8203420
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

2930 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N., Suite 275, Houston, TX   77043
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

281-531-7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Convertible Note Facility Agreement

 

On March 3, 2017, Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) with FT SOF VII Holdings, LLC (“Fir Tree”). The Note Agreement was executed in connection with Fir Tree’s purchase from ACM Emerging Markets Master Fund I, L.P. and ACM Multi-Strategy Delaware Holding LLC (collectively, “ACM”) of the Company’s outstanding 14% convertible notes due 2018 in the aggregate principal amount of $22,000,000 issued to ACM in 2014 (the “Existing ACM Note”) and 2,030,436 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share held by ACM.

 

The Note Agreement replaces the previously existing convertible notes agreement by and among the Company and ACM. Pursuant to the terms of the Note Agreement, the Company issued to Fir Tree a secured promissory note (the “Amended and Restated Convertible Note”) in a principal amount of $22 million, which replaces the Existing ACM Note, and a secured promissory note (the “New Convertible Note”, and together with the Amended and Restated Convertible Note, the “Notes”) in a principal amount of approximately $19.4 million, representing an additional $17 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes purchased from the Company by Fir Tree on March 6, 2017 and approximately $2.4 million principal amount of convertible notes issued to Fir Tree in payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Existing ACM Note acquired by Fir Tree from ACM. The New Convertible Note (and, in certain circumstances, the Amended and Restated Convertible Note) will be automatically converted into the common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) at a price of $1.40 per share, contingent upon the Company receiving approval of the conversion by shareholders representing a majority of the outstanding Common Stock not held by Fir Tree, and subject to certain other conditions set forth in the Notes and the Note Agreement, including the absence of an event of default under the Notes at the time shareholder approval is received. The Company has agreed with Fir Tree to seek prompt shareholder approval of the conversion of the Notes. The unpaid principal amount of the Notes bears an interest rate of 20% per annum and matures on May 28, 2018.

 

The proceeds of the Notes Agreement will be primarily used for equipment purchases and other approved capital expenditures incurred in accordance with an approved operating budget.

 

The Note Agreement also provides for certain representations, warranties and affirmative covenants and negative covenants customary for transactions of this type, including limitations on the Company’s ability to incur certain types of additional debt, engage in transactions with affiliates, sell assets, and make unapproved capital expenditures.

 

The Note Agreement further provides that all obligations thereunder are and will be, subject to certain terms and exceptions, jointly and severally guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. All obligations under the Note Agreement are secured by liens on certain of the assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors.

 

The Note Agreement further provides for customary Events of Defaults (as such term is defined in the Note Agreement), including but not limited to: failure to make payment when due, default under other agreements, breach of warranty, failure to comply with negative covenants, bankruptcy, dissolution, impairments to Material Agreements (as such term is defined in the Note Agreement), lack of enforceability of the Transaction Documents (as such term is defined in the Note Agreement), certain ERISA events or environmental claims or nationalization resulting in a material taking of property. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Fir Tree may declare all outstanding principal in respect of the Notes, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, premiums and other amounts outstanding under the Note Agreement to be due and payable.

 

The foregoing description is a summary of the Note Agreement, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Note Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

On March 3, 2017 and as a condition precedent for the closing of the Note Agreement, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement (the “A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement”) with Fir Tree and the certain other stockholders party thereto (the “Specified Stockholders”).

 

 
 

 

Pursuant to the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement, Fir Tree currently has the right to nominate at least three individuals for election to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) for so long as Fir Tree beneficially owns at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis). On March 6, 2017, Messrs. David Proman, Andrew Teno and Andrew Colvin were appointed to the Board pursuant to the foregoing contractual requirements. The A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement provides that certain significant Board actions can be taken only with the affirmative vote or consent of at least two directors appointed by Fir Tree.

 

A director nominated by Fir Tree may only be removed, with or without cause, upon Fir Tree’s written request. Fir Tree also has the right to designate for nomination a substitute designee should a vacancy on the Board is created due to the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of any of its previously appointed designees.

 

So long as Fir Tree beneficially owns at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis), certain key actions of the Company, including but not limited to, changes in numbers of directors, sale of all or substantially all assets of the Company or issuance of a new class of capital stock, will require approval by a majority of the Board, including the affirmative vote of at least 2 directors appointed by Fir Tree.

 

So long as Fir Tree beneficially owns at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis), the Company will have an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating committee and will designate at least one director nominated by Fir Tree to each such committee. Mr. Teno was appointed by the Board as a member of the Company’s compensation committee, and Mr. Proman was appointed by the Board as a member of the Company’s nominating committee, pursuant to the foregoing contractual requirements. Fir Tree intends to appoint an individual who qualifies as an independent director under Nasdaq and SEC rules to the Board and the audit committee no later than 180 days following March 7, 2017.

 

So long as Fir Tree beneficially owns at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis), Fir Tree will have a pre-emptive right to purchase an amount Common Stock to be issued by the Company necessary to ensure Fir Tree’s beneficial ownership does not decrease as a result of such new issuance. Subject to the same conditions and certain exceptions, Fir Tree and the Specified Stockholders will have rights of first refusal and tag-along rights to any proposed transfer of Common Stock.

 

The foregoing description is a summary of the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

On March 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Fir Tree, pursuant to which the Company granted certain registration rights to Fir Tree with respect to the shares of Common Stock held by Fir Tree (the “Registrable Securities”), including those shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Note. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Fir Tree will have certain customary registration rights, including demand rights and piggyback rights, subject to certain underwriter cutbacks and issuer blackout periods. The Company will pay all fees and expenses relating to the registration and disposition of the Registrable Securities in compliance with the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The foregoing description is a summary of the Registration Rights Agreement, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

The disclosure set forth below in Item 5.02 relating to Leonel Narea’s resignation from the Board and the resulting notification provided to The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
 

 

On March 7, 2017, the Company notified NASDAQ that, due to Mr. Narea’s resignation from the Audit Committee, the Company would no longer continue to satisfy the requirements of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A), which requires the audit committee of a company with NASDAQ-listed securities to have a minimum of three members, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). In the Company’s notice to NASDAQ, the Company also informed NASDAQ that it intends to rely upon the cure period provided by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(4)(B), which provides a cure period to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A). The Company expects that one of the directors initially nominated by Fir Tree will resign, and Fir Tree will nominate an independent director to join the Board and audit committee to comply with Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A). On March 8, 2017, the Company received a letter from NASDAQ confirming its noncompliance with Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) because its audit committee is not currently composed of three independent directors.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The descriptions of the Note Agreement with respect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Note under Item 1.01 above are incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The descriptions of the Registration Rights Agreement and A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement under Item 1.01 above are incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

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

 

Effective March 7, 2017 and pursuant to the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement, the Board accepted the resignations of each of Carlos Fernandez, Ahmad Al-Sati, Lap Wai Chan and Leonel Narea and reduced the number of directors of the Board to seven. None of the resignations was a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

 

In connection with the Board’s acceptance of such resignations, Messrs. David Proman, Andrew Teno and Andrew Colvin were appointed to the Board upon their designation as directors by Fir Tree pursuant to the terms of the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement. Mr. Teno was appointed by the Board as a member of the Company’s compensation committee, and Mr. Proman was appointed by the Board as a member of the Company’s nominating committee.

 

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

 

Effective March 7, 2017, the Board adopted the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which became effective upon their adoption by the Board. The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws addressed, among other things, changes to the Board composition and approval of certain key actions of the Company by directors appointed by Fir Tree, as required by the A&R Stockholder Rights Agreement.

 

The foregoing description is a summary of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On March 7, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the entry into the Note Agreement. A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

 

 
 

 

The information furnished in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1   Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, adopted as of March 7, 2017.
     
4.1   Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, by and among Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. and the parties named therein.
     
4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, by and among Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. and the note purchaser named therein.
     
10.1   Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, by and between Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. and FT SOF VII Holdings, LLC.
     
99.1   Press Release dated March 7, 2017.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jon Christopher Boswell
    Jon Christopher Boswell
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date: March 9, 2017    

 

 
 

 

 

 

execution version

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

BYLAWS

 

Of

 

ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

 
 

 

Table of contents
of the
SECOND amended and restated
bylaws of
eco-stim energy solutions, inc.

 

ARTICLE 1 Identification 1
   
Section 1.01. Name 1
Section 1.02. Registered Office and Registered Agent 1
Section 1.03. Other Offices 1
Section 1.04. Seal 1
Section 1.05. Fiscal Year
   
ARTICLE 2 Capital Stock 1
   
Section 2.01. Consideration for Shares 1
Section 2.02. Certificates Representing Shares 1
Section 2.03. Transfer of Stock 2
Section 2.04. Regulations 2
   
ARTICLE 3 The Shareholders 2
   
Section 3.01. Place of Shareholder Meetings 2
Section 3.02. Annual Shareholder Meeting 2
Section 3.03. Special Shareholder Meetings 2
Section 3.04. Business at Meetings of Shareholders 2
Section 3.05. Notice of Shareholder Meetings 4
Section 3.06. Shareholder Quorum 4
Section 3.07. Adjourned Shareholder Meetings 4
Section 3.08. Entry of Notice 4
Section 3.09. Voting 4
Section 3.10. Consent of Absentees 5
Section 3.11. Action Without Meeting 5
Section 3.12. Proxies 5
Section 3.13. Definition of “Shareholder” 5
   
ARTICLE 4 The Board of Directors 6
   
Section 4.01. Number; Term; Election 6
Section 4.02. Nominations 6
Section 4.03. Vacancies 7
Section 4.04. Annual Meeting 7

 

 
 

 

Section 4.05. Regular Meetings 8
Section 4.06. Other Meetings 8
Section 4.07. Notice of Adjourned Meetings 8
Section 4.08. Entry of Notice 8
Section 4.09. Waiver of Notice 8
Section 4.10. Quorum 9
Section 4.11. Participation in Meetings by Telephone 9
Section 4.12. Adjournment 9
Section 4.13. Action Without Meeting 9
Section 4.14. Fees and Compensation 9
Section 4.15. Limitation of Liability 9
Section 4.16. Indemnification; Advancement of Expenses 9
Section 4.17. Indemnification of Employees and Agents 10
Section 4.18. Insurance 10
Section 4.19. Powers of Directors 10
Section 4.20. Committees 10
Section 4.21. Audit Committee 11
   
ARTICLE 5 The Officers 11
   
Section 5.01. Officers 11
Section 5.02. Election 11
Section 5.03. Subordinate Officers 11
Section 5.04. Removal and Resignation 11
Section 5.05. Vacancies 12
Section 5.06. Chairman of the Board 12
Section 5.07. Chief Executive Officer 12
Section 5.08. President 12
Section 5.09. Executive Vice Presidents 12
Section 5.10. Secretary 12
Section 5.11. Assistant Secretaries 13
Section 5.12. Chief Financial Officer 13
Section 5.13. Treasurer 13
Section 5.14. Assistant Treasurers 13
Section 5.15. Corporate Bank Accounts 14
Section 5.16. Transfers of Authority 14

 

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ARTICLE 6 Miscellaneous 14
   
Section 6.01. Record Date and Closing Stock Books 14
Section 6.02. Stock List 14
Section 6.03. Checks, Drafts, etc 14
Section 6.04. Contracts, etc 14
Section 6.05. Lost Certificates of Stock 15
Section 6.06. Representation of Shares 15
Section 6.07. Inspection of Bylaws 15
   
ARTICLE 7 Amendments 15
   
Section 7.01. Power to Amend 15
   
ARTICLE 8 Special Provisions 15

 

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  SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC

 

ARTICLE 1

Identification

 

Section 1.01. Name . The name of the Corporation is Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc.

 

Section 1.02. Registered Office and Registered Agent . The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Nevada and any other jurisdiction in which the Corporation shall be qualified to do business shall be determined from time to time by the Secretary of the Corporation.

 

Section 1.03. Other Offices . The principal business office of the Corporation shall be established by the Board of Directors and branch or subordinate offices may be established by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 1.04. Seal . The seal of the Corporation will be circular in form and mounted upon a metal die, suitable for impressing the same upon paper. The use of the seal is not necessary on any corporate document and its use or nonuse shall not in any way affect the legality of the document.

 

Section 1.05. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation will be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE 2

Capital Stock

 

Section 2.01. Consideration for Shares . The capital stock may be issued for such consideration, expressed in dollars, as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Treasury shares may be disposed of by the Corporation for such consideration expressed in dollars as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.02. Certificates Representing Shares . Each holder of the capital stock of the Corporation is entitled to a certificate in such form as may be required by applicable law signed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer or a Vice President, and the Secretary (or an Assistant Secretary), certifying the number of shares owned by the shareholder in the Corporation.

 

In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on, any certificate or certificates shall cease to be an officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, the certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed the certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used thereon, had not ceased to be an officer or officers of the Corporation.

 

 
 

 

Section 2.03. Transfer of Stock . Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept in an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 2.04. Regulations . The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

 

ARTICLE 3

The Shareholders

 

Section 3.01. Place of Shareholder Meetings . Meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, or at such other place as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.02. Annual Shareholder Meeting . The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix for the purposes of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 3.03. Special Shareholder Meetings . Subject to any restrictions or limitations expressed in the Articles of Incorporation, special shareholders’ meetings maybe called by the Board of Directors or by shareholders holding not less than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of the Corporation, and shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be fixed by resolution.

 

Written notice of a special meeting of shareholders stating the time and place and object thereof, shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before such meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by statute.

 

Section 3.04. Business at Meetings of Shareholders . Except as otherwise provided by law (including but not limited to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision thereto) or in these Bylaws, the business which shall be conducted at any meeting of the shareholders shall (a) have been specified in the written notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by the Corporation, (b) be brought before the meeting at the direction of the Board of Directors or the presiding officer of the meeting, or (c) have been specified in a written notice given to the Secretary of the Corporation by or on behalf of any shareholder who shall have been a shareholder of record on the record date for such meeting and who shall continue to be entitled to vote thereat (the “Shareholders Notice”), in accordance with all of the following requirements:

 

(1) Each Shareholder Notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the corporation:

 

(i) in the case of an annual meeting that is called for a date that is within thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders, not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to such anniversary date; and

 

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(ii) in the case of an annual meeting that is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first; and

 

(2) Each such Shareholder Notice must set forth each of the following:

 

(a) the name, age, business and residential address of the shareholder who intends to bring the business before the meeting;

 

(b) the principal occupation or employment of such person;

 

(c) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(d) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting;

 

(e) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment);

 

(f) a description of any direct or indirect material interest by security holdings or otherwise of such stockholder and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, or their respective affiliates, in such business (whether by holdings of securities, or by virtue of being a creditor or contractual counterparty of the Corporation or of a third party, or otherwise);

 

(g) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, or their respective affiliates and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) in connection with the proposal of such business by the stockholder; and

 

(h) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring the business specified in the notice before the meeting.

 

The presiding officer of the meeting may, in his or her sole discretion, refuse to acknowledge any business proposed by a shareholder not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

 

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Section 3.05. Notice of Shareholder Meetings . Written notice stating the place, day and hour of a shareholders’ meeting must be delivered not less than ten (10) days, nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, or by mail, or by other means of written communication, charges prepaid, by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each registered shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be considered to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, with postage prepaid. If a shareholder gives no address, notice shall be deemed to have been given to the shareholder if sent by mail or other written communication addressed to the place where the Corporation’s registered office is located, or if published at least once in some newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the Corporation’s registered office is located. Waiver by a shareholder in writing of notice of a meeting is equivalent to giving notice. Attendance by a shareholder, without objection to the notice, whether in person or by proxy, at a meeting is a waiver of notice of the meeting.

 

Section 3.06. Shareholder Quorum . A majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, is a quorum at a shareholders’ meeting, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

Section 3.07. Adjourned Shareholder Meetings . Any shareholders’ meeting, whether annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares, the holders of which are either present in person or represented by proxy, but in the absence of a quorum no other business may be transacted at any shareholders’ meeting.

 

When any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for thirty (30) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. As to any adjournment of less than thirty (30) days, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted, other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.

 

Section 3.08. Entry of Notice . An entry in the minutes of any meeting of shareholders, whether annual or special, to the effect that notice has been duly given shall be conclusive and incontrovertible evidence that due notice of the meeting was given to all shareholders as required by law and these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.09. Voting . Except as otherwise provided bylaw, only persons in whose names shares entitled to vote stand on the stock registry of the Corporation on the day prior to any shareholders’ meeting, or, if a record date for voting purposes is fixed as provided in Article 6, Section 6.01, of these Bylaws, then on that record date, shall be entitled to vote at the meeting. Voting shall be by ballots, each of which shall state the shareholders name or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting; provided, that, voting for the election of directors may be viva voce. The Corporation may, and to the extent required by law shall, in advance of any meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make written report thereof. Each vote taken by ballots shall be counted by an inspector or inspectors appointed by the chairman of the meeting.

 

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Except as otherwise provided by law or by an express provision in the Articles of Incorporation, or of any Directors’ Resolution for a series of Preferred Stock, each full share is entitled to one vote and, when a quorum is present at the commencement of any shareholders’ meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote present, in person or by proxy, shall decide any question brought before the shareholders’ meeting. Fractional shares shall not be entitled to any voting rights whatsoever.

 

Section 3.10. Consent of Absentees . The transactions of any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special and however called and noticed, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the shareholders entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice, or a consent to the holding of the meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof, all such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the Secretary or be made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

Section 3.11. Action Without Meeting . Subject to any restrictions or limitations expressed in the Articles of Incorporation, any action which, under applicable provisions of law, maybe taken or ratified at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken or ratified without a meeting if authorized in writing by shareholders holding a majority of the voting power. In no instance where action is taken by written consent need a meeting of the shareholders be called or noticed. The Board of Directors may fix a record date to determine the shareholders entitled to sign the written consent. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Nevada Private Corporation Law, shall be the earliest date that a shareholder signed the written consent. All written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceeding of the shareholders.

 

Section 3.12. Proxies . Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by a written proxy executed by the person or by the person’s duly authorized agent and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation; provided, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of its execution unless the person executing it specified therein the length of time for which the proxy is to continue in force, which in no event shall exceed seven (7) years from the date of its execution.

 

Section 3.13. Definition of “Shareholder” . As used in these Bylaws, the term “shareholder”, and any term of like import, shall include all persons entitled to vote the shares held by a shareholder, unless the context in which the term is used indicates that a different meaning is intended.

 

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ARTICLE 4

The Board of Directors

 

Section 4.01. Number; Term; Election . The number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exists any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption) but the number shall be not less than one (1) nor more than ten (10).

 

In the case of any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, the vacancy shall be filled by election of the Board of Directors with the director so elected to serve for the remainder of the term of the director being replaced or, in the case of an additional director, until the next annual meeting of the shareholders. All directors shall continue in office until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the terms of any incumbent director. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

Section 4.02. Nominations . Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at the annual meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, may be made by any Nominating Committee or person appointed by the Board of Directors; nominations may also be made by any shareholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 4. Such nomination, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive office of the Corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation not less than thirty-five (35) days prior to the meeting or the date the shareholders are first solicited for their consents as the case may be; provided, however, that, in the case of an annual meeting and in the event that less than fifty (50) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received no later than the earlier of (a) the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs, or (b) two (2) days prior to the date of the meeting.

 

Such shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth

 

(a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, each of the following:

 

(i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person;

 

(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person;’

 

(iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person;

 

(iv) a statement as to the person’s citizenship; and

 

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(v) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Action of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

 

(b) as to the shareholder giving the notice, each of the following:

 

(i) the name and record address of the shareholder giving the notice;

 

(ii) the name and record address of the shareholder; and

 

(iii) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder.

 

The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as director of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.

 

In connection with any annual meeting, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or such officer presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure and that the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

Section 4.03. Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors was present, or by a sole remaining Director. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of the Director’s predecessor in office.

 

A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist in case of the death, resignation or removal of any Director, or if the authorized number of Directors be increased, or if the shareholders fail, at any annual or special meeting of shareholders at which any Director or Directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of Directors to be voted for at that meeting, or if a vacancy is declared by the Board of Directors for any reason permitted by law.

 

The shareholders may elect a Director or Directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors accepts the resignation of a Director tendered to take effect at a future time, the Board of Directors shall have power to elect a successor to take office when the resignation is to become effective.

 

No reduction of the authorized number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director prior to the expiration of the Director’s term of office.

 

Section 4.04. Annual Meeting . Immediately after the annual meeting of the shareholders, at the same place as the meeting of the shareholders or such other place as may be provided in a notice thereof, the Board of Directors shall meet each year for the purpose of organization, election of officers, and consideration of any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting. No notice of any kind to either old or new members of the Board of Directors for this annual meeting shall be necessary unless the meeting is to be held at a place other than the place of the meeting of the shareholders, in which case notice of the place of the meeting shall be given as provided in Section 4.06.

 

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Section 4.05. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the times and places within or without the State of Nevada as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by written consent of all members of the Board of Directors. No notice of any kind to members of the Board of Directors for these regular meetings shall be necessary unless the meeting is to be held at a place other than the principal executive office of the Corporation, in which case notice of the place of the meeting shall be given as provided in Section 4.06.

 

Section 4.06. Other Meetings . Other meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be held at any time upon call by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President or, if any of the above listed officers is absent or unable or refuses to act, by any Vice President or by any two (2) Directors. The other meetings may be held at any place within or without the State of Nevada as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by written consent of all Directors.

 

Written notice of the time and place of other meetings shall be delivered personally to each Director or sent to each Director by mail or other form of written communication, charged prepaid, addressed to the Director at the Director’s address as it is shown upon the records of the Corporation or, if it is not so shown on the Corporation’s records or is not readily ascertainable, at the place in which the meetings of the Directors are regularly held. In case the notice is mailed or telegraphed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail or delivered to the telegraph company in the place in which the principal executive office of the Corporation is located at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered personally as above provided, it shall be so delivered at least eight (8) hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. The mailing, telegraphing or delivery as above provided shall constitute due, legal and personal notice to the Director.

 

Section 4.07. Notice of Adjourned Meetings . Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given to absent Directors if the time and place be fixed at the meeting adjourned.

 

Section 4.08. Entry of Notice . An entry in the minutes of any special meeting of the Board of Directors to the effect that notice has been duly given shall be conclusive and incontrovertible evidence that due notice of the special meeting was given to all Directors as required by law and by these Bylaws.

 

Section 4.09. Waiver of Notice . The transactions of any meeting of the Board of Directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

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Section 4.10. Quorum . A majority of the established number of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as hereinafter provided. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors unless a greater number or different vote be required by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law.

 

Section 4.11. Participation in Meetings by Telephone . Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors or committee by means of telephone conference or similar communications by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 4.12. Adjournment . A quorum of the Directors may adjourn any Directors’ meeting to meet again at a stated day and hour; provided, however, that in the absence of a quorum, a majority of the Directors present at any Directors’ meeting either regular or special, may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.13. Action Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or under applicable law, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors shall individually or collectively consent, in writing, before or after the action, to the action. Any action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of all Directors. All written consents must be filed with the Secretary.

 

Section 4.14. Fees and Compensation . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as Directors or as members of committees, but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed fee, with or without expenses of attendance, may be allowed to Directors for the Director’s services. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 4.15. Limitation of Liability . To the fullest extent permitted bylaw, a director shall have no personal liability to the Corporation, its shareholders or creditors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any amendment to or repeal of this Section 4.15 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal . In the event that the Nevada Private Corporation Law is amended, after the filing of the Articles of Incorporation, to authorize corporate action further eliminated or limiting the personal liability of an officer or director, then the liability of an officer or director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Nevada Private Corporation Law, as so amended.

 

Section 4.16. Indemnification; Advancement of Expenses . The Corporation shall indemnify the officers and directors of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the Nevada Private Corporation Law as the same exists or may hereafter by amended.

 

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The Corporation shall pay the expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such officer or director to repay such amount if it should by ultimately determined that he/she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by Nevada Private Corporation Law.

 

All rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses granted herein shall be deemed to arise out of a contract between the Corporation and each person who is entitled to indemnification from the Corporation and this right may be evidenced by a separate contract between the Corporation and each indemnified person; and such rights shall be effective in respect of all actions commenced after the date of the commencement of the corporate existence of the Corporation, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such date.

 

Any amendment, modification or repeal of any of the provisions in this Section 4.16 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an officer or director of the Corporation for or with respect to any act or omission of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

Section 4.17. Indemnification of Employees and Agents . The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of Section 4.16 of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and Nevada Private Corporations Law.

 

Section 4.18. Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is entitled to be indemnified against any liability asserted or expense incurred by such person in connection with any action, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability or expense by law or under the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Such other financial arrangements may include, without limitation, the creation of a trust fund, the establishment of a program of self-insurance, the grant of a security interest or other lien on any assets of the Corporation, or the establishment of a letter or credit, guaranty or surety, all to the extent not prohibited by applicable law. The Corporation’s indemnity of any person who is entitled to indemnification shall be reduced by any amounts such person may collect with respect to such liability (i) under any policy of insurance purchased and maintained on his or her behalf by the Corporation or (ii) from any other entity or enterprise served by such person.

 

Section 4.19. Powers of Directors . The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise provided or required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

 

Section 4.20. Committees . The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may from time to time designate committees of the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, Executive, Nomination, Audit and Compensation Committees with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board of Directors may confer, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees and any other provided herein, elect one or more directors to serve on such committees. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or by resolution of the Board of Directors, each committee may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules.

 

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Section 4.21. Audit Committee . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, create an Audit Committee. The majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall be independent directors. The Audit Committee shall conduct appropriate reviews of all related party transaction, review situations and transactions that may pose a potential or actual conflicts of interest and perform such other responsibilities as the Board of Directors may direct by resolution.

 

ARTICLE 5

The Officers

 

Section 5.01. Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall be a chief executive officer, chief financial officer and secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairman of the board, president, one or more executive vice presidents and vice presidents, chief operating officer, treasurer, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistance secretaries, and such other officers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, subject to any powers of removal set forth in Section 5.04. Officers, other than the Chairman of the Board, need not be Directors.

 

Section 5.02. Election . The officers of the Corporation, except those officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03 or Section 5.05 of this Article, shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, and each shall hold office until the officer shall resign or shall be removed or otherwise disqualified to serve, or the officer’s successor shall be elected and qualified; provided that officers may be elected at any time by the Board of Directors, or, as permitted by Section 5.03 of this Article, appointed by the Chairman of the Board for the purpose of initially filling an office or filling a newly created or vacant office.

 

Section 5.03. Subordinate Officers . The Board of Directors may elect, and may empower the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for the term, have the authority and perform the duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.04. Removal and Resignation . Any officer may, subject to any contractual arrangements between the officer and the Corporation, be removed, either with or without cause, by a majority of the Directors in office at the time, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, or, unless otherwise specified by the Board of Directors, by the Chairman of the Board or any other officer upon whom a general or special power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, or to the Secretary of the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of the notice or at any later time specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

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Section 5.05. Vacancies . A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to that office.

 

Section 5.06. Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if there be such officer, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.07. Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the control of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board, if there is one, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the shareholders. Except as expressly stated otherwise in these bylaws, the Chief Executive Officer shall be ex officio a member of all standing committees of the Board of Directors, including the Executive Committee, if any. The Chief Executive Officer shall have all the powers and shall perform all of the duties which are ordinarily inherent in the office of Chief Executive Officer of a corporation, and he or she shall have such further powers and shall perform such further duties as may be prescribed for him or her by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.08. President . In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, if there be one, shall perform all of the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting shall have all of the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. The President shall have such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for him or her by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.09. Executive Vice Presidents . In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Executive Vice President or Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, the President or the officer, if any, senior to the President, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Executive Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors, the President, the officer, if any, senior the President or these Bylaws.

 

Section 5.10. Secretary . The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the registered office, the principal business office or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, a book of minutes of all meetings of Directors and shareholders, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at Directors’ meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall be responsible for authenticating records of the Corporation.

 

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The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in any form permitted by law, at the registered office, the principal business office or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent, a stock register, or a duplicate stock register, revised at least annually, showing the names of the shareholders and their residence addresses and the number and classes of shares held by each shareholder. If the share register or a duplicate share register is located at a place other than the registered office of the Corporation, the Secretary shall file a certificate with the resident agent located at the registered office setting out the name of the custodian of the stock ledger or a duplicate stock ledger, and the present and complete post office address, including street and number, if any, where such stock ledger or duplicate stock ledger is kept.

 

The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all the meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors and written consents in lieu thereof required by these Bylaws or by law to be given, and shall keep the seal of the Corporation in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these Bylaws.

 

After fixing a record date for a meeting, the Secretary shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all its shareholders who are entitled to notice of a shareholders meeting, which is arranged by voting group and class, and shows the address and number of shares held by each shareholder. The list must be available for inspection by any shareholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, beginning ten (10) business days before the meeting and continue to be available throughout the meeting at the place indicated in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held.

 

Section 5.11. Assistant Secretaries . It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretaries to assist the Secretary in the performance of his or her duties and generally to perform such other duties as may be delegated to them by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.12. Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of account of the Corporation. He or she shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuable belonging to the Corporation in the name and to the credit of the Corporation and shall disburse the same and only in such manner as the Board of Directors or the appropriate officer of the Corporation may from time to time determine, shall render to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the President whenever any of them may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall perform such further duties as the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board may require.

 

Section 5.13. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have such duties as may be specified by the Chief Financial Officer to assist the Chief Financial Officer in the performance of his or her duties.

 

Section 5.14. Assistant Treasurers . It shall be the duty of the Assistant Treasurers to assist the Treasurer in the performance of his or her duties and generally to perform such other duties as may be delegated to them by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5.15. Corporate Bank Accounts . Bank accounts in the name of the Corporation may be opened without the approval of the Board of Directors if opened with the consent of both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall inform the Board of Directors of any bank account opened by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the authority granted in this section at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.16. Transfers of Authority . In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any reason that the Board of Directors may consider sufficient, the Board of Directors may transfer the powers or duties of that officer to any other officer or to any Director or employee of the Corporation, provided a majority of the Board of Directors concurs.

 

ARTICLE 6

Miscellaneous

 

Section 6.01. Record Date and Closing Stock Books . The Board of Directors may fix a time in the future, as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders, or entitled to receive any dividend or distribution, or any allotment of rights, or to exercise rights in respect to any change, conversion or exchange of shares. The record date so fixed shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting or event for the purposes of which it is fixed. When a record date is so fixed, only shareholders of record on that date shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting, or to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case maybe, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation after the record date. The Board of Directors may close the books of the Corporation against transfers of shares during the whole or any part of any the sixty (60) day period.

 

Section 6.02. Stock List . A complete list of all shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such shareholder and the number of shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the examination of any such shareholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.

 

Section 6.03. Checks, Drafts, etc . All checks, drafts, bonds, bills of exchange, or other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of or payable to the Corporation shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.04. Contracts, etc . , How Executed . The Board of Directors, except as in these Bylaws otherwise provided, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument or document in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and the authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise required by law, promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness, deeds of trust, mortgages and corporate instruments or documents requiring the corporate seal, and certificates for shares of stock owned by the Corporation shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer, President (or any Vice President) and the Secretary (or any Assistant Secretary) or Treasurer (or any Assistant Treasurer). The Board of Directors may, however, authorize any one (1) of these officers to sign any of such instruments, for and on behalf of the Corporation, without necessity of countersignature; may designate officers or employees of the Corporation, other than those named above, who may, in the name of the Corporation, sign such instruments; and may authorize the use of facsimile signatures for any of such persons. No officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount except as specifically authorized in these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws.

 

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Section 6.05. Lost Certificates of Stock . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, or stolen, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing the issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the shareholder’s legal representative, to advertise the same in any manner as it shall require or give the Corporation a bond in any sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed, or both.

 

Section 6.06. Representation of Shares . The Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or the President (or any Vice President) and the Secretary (or any Assistant Secretary) of this Corporation are authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other Corporation or Corporations standing in the name of this Corporation. The authority herein granted to these officers to vote or represent on behalf of this Corporation any and all shares held by this Corporation in any other Corporation or Corporations may be exercised either by these officers in person or by any persons authorized so to do by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by these officers.

 

Section 6.07. Inspection of Bylaws . The Corporation shall keep in its registered office for the transaction of business the original or a copy of the Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date, certified by the Secretary, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours.

 

ARTICLE 7

Amendments

 

Section 7.01. Power to Amend . Until the FTP Investors’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock is, in the aggregate, less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis (as defined in the Rights Agreement (as defined below) and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested) (the date on which such event occurs, the “ Termination Date ”), these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws adopted, only in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Rights Agreement. After the Termination Date, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws adopted, by a majority vote of the directors or by a vote of the shareholders holding a majority of the shares.

 

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ARTICLE 8

Special Provisions

 

The Corporation has entered into that certain Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, by and among the Corporation, FT SOF VII Holdings LLC (together with any Persons that become parties to and bound by the Rights Agreement as a “ FTP Investor ”, the “ FTP Investors ”), the Management Stockholders identified therein and the other parties thereto from time to time (as amended from time to time, the “ Rights Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used in this Article 8 and not otherwise defined in this Article 8 have the meaning given them in the Rights Agreement.

 

In connection with the Rights Agreement, the parties have agreed to certain amendments to the Bylaws of the Corporation as set forth below. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in these Bylaws and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the following provisions shall govern and control when in conflict with the provisions of the Bylaws set forth above and shall govern and control for only so long as set forth below:

 

1. Board Composition. The Company shall take all reasonably necessary or desirable actions within its control, to ensure that:

 

(a) on each occasion when directors are nominated for election by the Company’s stockholders, the FTP Investors will be entitled to nominate three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and each Stockholder shall vote all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within his, her or its control, to elect to the Board each person so nominated by the FTP Investors (each member of the Board of Directors, a “ Director ” and, collectively, the “ Board ”; each Director nominated by the FTP Investors, the “ FTP Investor Nominees ”, and upon election to the Board, the “ FTP Investor Directors ”); provided, however, that after one-hundred and eighty (180) days from the date hereof one (1) FTP Investor Director must satisfy any independence or other qualification requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange, to the extent applicable; and

 

(b) on and as of the date of the date hereof, the Board shall consist of seven (7) Directors, with three (3) of such Directors being FTP Investor Directors (which shall initially be David Proman, Andrew Teno and Andrew Colvin), one (1) such Director being the chief executive officer of the Company (which shall initially be Jon Christopher Boswell) and three (3) of such Directors being independent directors satisfying the independence requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or any rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange, to the extent applicable, that are acceptable to the FTP Investors (which shall initially be Bruheim, Donald Stoltz and Christopher Krummel).

 

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2. Removal; Resignation; Vacancies.

 

(i) Removal. A FTP Investor Director may be removed at any time as a Director on the Board (with or without cause) upon, and only upon, the written request of the FTP Investors, except as required by Applicable Law. The Company shall take all necessary or desirable actions within its control, to remove or replace from the Board such FTP Investor Director upon, and only upon, such written request .

 

(ii) Resignation. A Director may resign at any time from the Board by delivering his written resignation to the Board. Any such resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the occurrence of some other event. The Board’s acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

(iii) Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board at any time due to the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a FTP Investor Director, then the FTP Investors shall have the right to designate an individual to fill such vacancy and the Company shall take such actions as may be necessary or desirable to ensure the election or appointment of such designee to fill such vacancy on the Board to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law. In the event that the FTP Investors shall fail to designate in writing a representative to fill a vacant FTP Investor Director position on the Board, and such failure shall continue for more than thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to the FTP Investors with respect to such failure, then the vacant position shall be filled by an individual designated by the FTP Investor Directors then in office; provided , that such individual shall be removed from such position if the Investors so direct and simultaneously designate a new FTP Investor Director.

 

3. Meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

(i) Generally. The Board shall meet at such time and at such place as the Board may designate. Meetings of the Board may be held either in person or by means of telephone or video conference or other communications device that permits all Directors participating in the meeting to hear each other, at the offices of the Company or such other place (either within or outside the State of Nevada) as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Written notice of each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director at least 48 hours prior to each such meeting.

 

(ii) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held on the call of such number of directors and upon such notice as provided in the Company’s bylaws. Any Director may waive such notice as to himself or herself.

 

(iii) Quorum Requirements. The presence of a majority of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not achieved at any duly called meeting, such meeting may be postponed to a time no earlier than 24 hours after written notice of such postponement has been given to the Directors.

 

(iv) Recusal. Each FTP Investor Director may recuse himself or herself from being present or participating at a meeting (or portion thereof) at which a matter is considered in which the FTP Investors’ interest as the Note Holders under the Notes Agreement, or any other interest of the FTP Investors, can be reasonably expected to be in conflict with the FTP Investors’ interest as Stockholders, or voting on any such matter. Any recused FTP Investor Director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at any meeting at which such a matter is considered but his or her vote shall not be counted in determining the number of required votes to approve such matter if he either voluntarily or mandatorily recuses himself or herself.

 

- 17 -
 

 

4. Special Approval Matters. Until such time that the FTP Investors beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested, but excluding any such beneficial ownership attributable to the holding of Notes under the Notes Agreement), the following actions shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, including the affirmative vote of at least 2 (two) of the FTP Investor Directors then in office:

 

(i) the direct or indirect transfer or other disposal of any of the Company’s ownership in any Company Subsidiary (whether by the Company or a Company Subsidiary);

 

(ii) authorizing any of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to engage in any business activity other than as permitted by the Notes Agreement;

 

(iii) any transaction by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with any Affiliate of the Company (other than transactions between the Company and a Company Subsidiary or between Company Subsidiaries);

 

(iv) the payment of any management fees or other payments to any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Company Subsidiary);

 

(v) sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business (including sales of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary);

 

(vi) any merger with any Person involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any transaction that would result in a Change of Control;

 

(vii) the issuance of Capital Stock by the Company or of any Capital Stock by any Company Subsidiary, other than (A) the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to awards under the Stock Option Plans that are outstanding on the date hereof, (B) the issuance of up to 3,571,429 shares of Common Stock to any Person(s) acceptable to FTP who are holders of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement at a purchase price of $1.40 per share, (C) the issuance of Common Stock in connection with the Note Conversion and (D) the issuance of Common Stock the proceeds of which are used to repay all outstanding Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereto and the applicable Make Whole Premium (as defined in the Notes Agreement), concurrently with the consummation thereof;

 

(viii) any change in the auditor of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

- 18 -
 

 

(ix) any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification of the Certificate of Incorporation or any of the other organizational documents (including by-laws) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(x) any increase in the numbers of Directors;

 

(xi) the adoption of any new Stock Option Plan and/or any increase in the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to Stock Option grants under the Stock Option Plans;

 

(xii) the voluntary incurrence by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of any material liability, including Indebtedness (as defined in the Notes Agreement);

 

(xiii) the formation of any Company Subsidiary or entry into any limited liability company agreement, stockholder agreement or other governing document of any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xiv) the entry into, termination of or material amendment to any employment agreement with the person serving as the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel or vice president of the Company;

 

(xv) the declaration or payment of any distributions or dividends;

 

(xvi) the voluntary winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xvii) the grant of any material security or lien on any asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xviii) the filing of a voluntary petition, or the initiation of proceedings, to have the Company or any Company Subsidiary adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(xix) the consenting to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xx) the filing of a petition seeking or consenting to the reorganization of the Company or any Company Subsidiary as debtor under any applicable federal, state or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for debtors;

 

(xxi) seeking or consenting to the appointment of any trustee, receiver, conservator, assignee, sequestrator, custodian, liquidator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or of all or any substantial part of its properties or assets;

 

(xxii) the making by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(xxiii) any material acquisition or material investment by the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

- 19 -
 

 

(xxiv) the entry into any material contract or any amendment to a material contract;

 

(xxv) the transfer of any equipment or vehicles from any foreign jurisdiction to the Unites States or from the United States to any foreign jurisdiction;

 

(xxvi) any change to the Company’s insurance coverage as in effect on the date hereof; and

 

(xxvii) the entry into any contractual obligation to take any of the actions set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xxvi).

 

5. Compensation; No Employment .

 

(a) Compensation of Directors. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) each Director shall be reimbursed by the Company for his or her reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties as a Director, including attendance in person at meetings of the Board (or any committees thereof), pursuant to such policies as from time to time established by the Board.

 

(ii) Nothing contained in this Article 8 shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Company or any Company Subsidiary in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for such services.

 

(b) No Right of Employment Conferred. This Article 8 does not, and is not intended to, confer upon any Director any rights with respect to continued employment by the Company, and nothing herein should be construed to have created any employment agreement with any Director.

 

6. Committees. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Board may, by resolution, designate from among the Directors one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of one or more Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution forming such committee, shall have and may exercise the authority of the Board, subject to the limitations set forth in the Nevada Act. The Board may dissolve any committee or remove any member of a committee at any time.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 8, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, so long as the FTP Investors are entitled to nominate one or more FTP Investor Directors pursuant to Article 8, (x) the Board shall have an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating committee (with the duties and authority customarily given to such committees), and each such committee shall have at least one FTP Investor Director thereon, as selected by the FTP Investors, subject to such FTP Investor Directors satisfying any independence or other qualification requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange, to the extent applicable, and (y) no other Board committees shall be formed without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) of the FTP Investor Directors then in office.

 

7. Termination. This Article 8, and the covenants contained herein, shall terminate upon the Termination Date. Upon termination of this Article 8, these Bylaws may be amended and restated to eliminate this Article 8 without any further action of the Board of Directors or shareholders of the Corporation.

 

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Certificate of secretary

of

eco-stim energy solutions, inc.

 

I, Craig Murrin, hereby certify:

 

1. That I am the duly elected Secretary of Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc.

 

2. That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 23 pages, excluding this page, are the Bylaws of Eco-stim Energy Solutions, Inc., as duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors thereof duly held on the 1st day of March, 2017.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name this 2nd day of March, 2017

 

  /s/ Craig Murrin
  Craig Murrin
  Secretary

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company

 

- 21 -
 

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

Among

 

ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

And

 

THE STOCKHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN

 

dated as of

 

March 3, 2017

 

     

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
  ARTICLE I  
  DEFINITIONS  
     
Section 1.01 Definitions 2
Section 1.02 Interpretation 7
     
  ARTICLE II  
  MANAGEMENT  
     
Section 2.01 Board Composition 8
Section 2.02 Removal; Resignation; Vacancies 9
Section 2.03 Meetings of the Board of Directors 9
Section 2.04 Special Approval Matters 10
Section 2.05 Compensation; No Employment 12
Section 2.06 Committees 12
Section 2.07 Termination 12
     
  ARTICLE III  
  PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS  
     
Section 3.01 Pre-emptive Right 13
     
  ARTICLE IV  
  TRANSFER  
     
Section 4.01 General Restrictions on Transfer 15
Section 4.02 Permitted Transfers 16
Section 4.03 Right of First Refusal 17
Section 4.04 Tag-along Right 21
     
  ARTICLE V  
  NOTE CONVERSION  
     
Section 5.01 Note Conversion 26
     
  ARTICLE VI  
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  
     
Section 6.01 Representations and Warranties 26

 

    i  

 

 

  ARTICLE VII  
  MISCELLANEOUS  
     
Section 7.01 Expenses 27
Section 7.02 Further Assurances 27
Section 7.03 Notices 28
Section 7.04 Headings 29
Section 7.05 Severability 29
Section 7.06 Entire Agreement 29
Section 7.07 Successors and Assigns; Assignment 29
Section 7.08 No Third-party Beneficiaries 29
Section 7.09 Amendment 30
Section 7.10 Waiver 30
Section 7.11 Governing Law 30
Section 7.12 Submission to Jurisdiction 30
Section 7.13 Waiver of Jury Trial 31
Section 7.14 Equitable Remedies 31
Section 7.15 Remedies Cumulative 32
Section 7.16 Counterparts 32
Section 7.17 Legend 32
Section 7.18 Irrevocable Proxy and Power of Attorney 32
Section 7.19 Spousal Consent 33
Section 7.20 Cleansing of Material Non-Public Information 33

 

    ii  

 

 

AMEnDED AND RESTATED

STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement (as executed and as it may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, as provided herein, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of March 3, 2017, is entered into among ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), FT SOF HOLDINGS VII LLC (“ FTP ” and, together with any other Persons that become parties to and bound by this Agreement as an “FTP Investor”, the “ FTP Investors ”), MR. BARTJE BRUHEIM (“ Bruheim ”), BIENVILLE ARGENTINA OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, L.P. (“ Bienville ” and, together with Bruheim, the “ Other Investors ”), each Person identified on Schedule A hereto and executing a signature page hereto (each, a “ Management Stockholder ” and, collectively, the “ Management Stockholders ”) and each other Person who after the date hereof acquires securities of the Company and agrees to become a party to, and bound by, this Agreement as an “FTP Investor”, an “Other Investor” or a “Management Stockholder” by executing a Joinder Agreement. The FTP Investors and the Management Stockholders and their respective Permitted Transferees are each referred to herein as a “ Stockholder ” and, collectively, the “ Stockholders ”.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Management Stockholders and ACM Emerging Markets Master Fund I, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “ ACM ”) entered into that certain Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2014 (the “ Original Stockholder Rights Agreement ”), to implement certain rights of the “Stockholders” as defined therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017 (the “ Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement ”), by and among FTP, ACM and the Company and its subsidiaries, FTP acquired, among other things, all Common Stock held by ACM and all of ACM’s rights with respect to such Common Stock, including its rights under the Original Stockholder Rights Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Other Investors own Common Stock and desire to support the Note Conversion (as defined herein);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders desire to enter into this Agreement to amend and restate the Original Stockholder Rights Agreement and to set forth their understanding and agreement as to the shares of capital stock held by the Stockholders; and

 

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Board is adopting Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective from and after the date hereof, to, among other things, implement the rights and obligations of the Stockholders set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Original Stockholder Rights Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

 

     

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01 Definitions . When used in this Agreement with initial capital letters, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.01 :

 

Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that Person and, if such Person is an individual, any member of the immediate family (including parents, spouse, children and siblings) of such individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such individual or one or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is controlled by any such member or trust. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no individual shall be deemed an Affiliate of a Person solely by reason of his or her being a director, committee member, officer or employee of such Person and (ii) none of the FTP Investors shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Applicable Law ” means all applicable provisions of (a) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws (including the common law), rules, regulations, decrees, ordinances, codes, proclamations, declarations or orders of any Governmental Authority; (b) any consents or approvals of any Governmental Authority; and (c) any orders, decisions, advisory or interpretative opinions, injunctions, judgments, awards, decrees of, or agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

 

Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(ii) .

 

Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(ii) .

 

Applicable ROFR Rightholders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Award Agreements ” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of any individual grant of Stock Options under the Stock Option Plans.

 

Board ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(i) .

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required to close.

 

Capital Stock ” means the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company, whether authorized as of or after the date hereof.

 

    2  

 

 

Certificate of Incorporation ” means the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as filed on November 26, 2013 with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Change of Control ” means: (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to a Third Party Purchaser; (b) a sale resulting in no less than a majority of the Common Stock (or other voting stock of the Company) on a Fully Diluted Basis being held by a Third Party Purchaser; (c) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization of the Company with or into a Third Party Purchaser that results in the inability of the Stockholders to designate or elect a majority of the board of directors (or its equivalent) of the resulting entity or its parent company; or (d) a “Change of Control” as defined in the Notes Agreement; provided that the occurrence of the Note Conversion shall not constitute a Change of Control.

 

Common Percentage ” means, with respect to any Stockholder as of any date of determination, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, obtained by dividing the number of Common Stock owned by such Stockholder on such date on a Fully Diluted Basis by the sum total of all Common Stock outstanding on such date on a Fully Diluted Basis.

 

Common Stock ” means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or similar reorganization.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Company Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Director ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(i) .

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder, which shall be in effect at the time.

 

Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(iii) .

 

Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(iii) .

 

Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(iii) .

 

Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(d)(iii) .

 

    3  

 

 

Fair Market Value ” of any asset as of any date means the purchase price that a willing buyer having all relevant knowledge would pay a willing seller for such asset in an arm’s length transaction, as determined in good faith by the Board based on such factors as the Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, considers relevant.

 

FTP Investor Director ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(iii) .

 

FTP Investor Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(iii) .

 

FTP Investors ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Fully Diluted Basis ” means, as of any date of determination: (a) with respect to all Capital Stock, all issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the Company and all Capital Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any outstanding Stock Equivalents as of such date, whether or not such Stock Equivalent is at the time exercisable or convertible; or (b) with respect to any specified type, class or series of Capital Stock, all issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock designated as such type, class or series and all such designated shares of Capital Stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any outstanding Stock Equivalents as of such date, whether or not such Stock Equivalent is at the time exercisable or convertible.

 

Fully Electing Tag-Along Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(d)(ii) .

 

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision (including the Securities and Exchange Commission), or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including Nasdaq) or quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such organization or authority have the force of law), or any arbitrator, court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

Issuance Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) .

 

Joinder Agreement ” means the Joinder Agreement to this Agreement in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Management Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

National Securities Exchange ” means The Nasdaq Stock Market and any other securities exchange that has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6 of the Exchange Act.

 

Nevada Act ” means Chapter 78 of Nevada Revised Statutes and any successor statute, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

New Securities ” means any authorized but unissued Shares or any Stock Equivalents.

 

Note Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

 

    4  

 

 

Notes Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, by and between the Company and FTP, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Offered Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Offering Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Permitted Transfer ” means a Transfer of Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents carried out pursuant to Section 4.02 .

 

Permitted Transferee ” means a recipient of a Permitted Transfer.

 

Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization, trust, association or other entity.

 

Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c) .

 

Pre-emptive Exercise Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c) .

 

Pre-emptive Portion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a) .

 

Pre-emptive Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a) .

 

Preferred Stock ” means the Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company having the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations and rights specified with respect to “Preferred Stock” in the Certificate of Incorporation, and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or similar reorganization.

 

Prospective Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) .

 

Prospective Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Public Offering ” means any public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed in accordance with the Securities Act.

 

Related Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.06 .

 

Remaining Tag-along Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(e)(i) .

 

Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(e)(ii) .

 

Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(e)(ii) .

 

    5  

 

 

Remaining Tag-along Stock Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(e)(i) .

 

ROFR Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(c) .

 

ROFR Pro Rata Portion ” means, for any Applicable ROFR Rightholder and for any particular class or series of Offered Stock as of any particular time, a fraction determined by dividing (a) the number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Offered Stock owned by such Applicable ROFR Rightholder immediately prior to such time by (b) the aggregate number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Offered Stock owned by all of the Applicable ROFR Rightholders immediately prior to such time.

 

ROFR Rightholders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder, which shall be in effect at the time.

 

Selling Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Shares ” means shares of (a) Common Stock; (b) Preferred Stock; and (c) any other Capital Stock, in each case together with any Stock Equivalents thereon, purchased, owned or otherwise acquired by a Stockholder as of or after the date hereof, and any securities issued in respect of any of the foregoing, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or similar reorganization.

 

Spousal Consent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.19 .

 

Stock Equivalents ” means any Stock Option and any other security or obligation that is by its terms, directly or indirectly, convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Shares, and any option, warrant or other right to subscribe for, purchase or acquire Shares or Stock Equivalents (disregarding any restrictions or limitations on the exercise of such rights).

 

Stock Option Plans ” means the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan of the Company and any other similar stock incentive plan approved by the Board in accordance with this Agreement, in each case, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Stock Options ” means stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, phantom stock, bonus stock, or other equity awards of the Company granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plans and the Award Agreements thereunder.

 

Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which a majority of the outstanding shares or other equity interests having the power to vote for directors or comparable managers are owned, directly or indirectly, by the first Person.

 

    6  

 

 

 

Tag-along Exercise Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(d)(i) .

 

Tag-along Exercise Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(d)(i) .

 

Tag-along Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(c) .

 

Tag-along Pro Rata Portion ” means, for any Selling Stockholder or Tag-along Stockholder and for any particular class or series of Tag-along Stock as of any particular time, a fraction determined by dividing (a) the number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock owned by such Stockholder immediately prior to such time by (b) the aggregate number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock owned by the Selling Stockholder and all of the Tag-along Stockholders timely electing to participate in the applicable Tag-along Sale pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i) immediately prior to such time.

 

Tag-along Sale ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Tag-along Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Tag-along Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Third Party Purchaser ” means any Person who, immediately prior to the contemplated transaction: (a) does not directly or indirectly own or have the right to acquire any outstanding Capital Stock (or applicable Stock Equivalents); or (b) is not a Permitted Transferee of any Person who directly or indirectly owns or has the right to acquire any Capital Stock (or applicable Stock Equivalents).

 

Transfer ” means to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any shares of Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents owned by a Person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents owned by a Person. “ Transfer ”, when used as a noun, shall have a correlative meaning.

 

Transfer Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Transferee ” means a recipient of, or proposed recipient of, a Transfer, including a Permitted Transferee or a Prospective Transferee.

 

Section 1.02 Interpretation . For purposes of this Agreement: (a) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (b) the word “or” is not exclusive; and (c) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole. The definitions given for any defined terms in this Agreement shall apply equally to both 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. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (x) to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules mean the Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules attached to, this Agreement; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof; and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The Exhibits and Schedules referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein. For purposes of this Agreement, “beneficial ownership” shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE II

MANAGEMENT

 

Section 2.01 Board Composition . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Stockholder shall vote all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other reasonably necessary or desirable actions within his, her or its control (including in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise), and the Company shall take all reasonably necessary or desirable actions within its control, to ensure that:

 

(i)       on each occasion when directors are nominated for election by the Company’s stockholders, the FTP Investors will be entitled to nominate three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and each Stockholder shall vote all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within his, her or its control, to elect to the Board each person so nominated by the FTP Investors (each member of the Board of Directors, a “ Director ” and, collectively, the “ Board ”; each Director nominated by the FTP Investors, the “ FTP Investor Nominees ”, and upon election to the Board, the “ FTP Investor Directors ”); provided, however, that after one-hundred and eighty (180) days from the date hereof one (1) FTP Investor Director must satisfy any independence or other qualification requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange for audit committee purposes, to the extent applicable; and

 

(ii)       on and as of the date of the date hereof, the Board shall consist of seven (7) Directors, with three (3) of such Directors being FTP Investor Directors (which shall initially be David Proman, Andrew Teno and Andrew Colvin), one (1) such Director being the chief executive officer of the Company (which shall initially be Jon Christopher Boswell) and three (3) of such Directors being independent directors satisfying the independence requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or any rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange, to the extent applicable, that are acceptable to the FTP Investors (which shall initially be Bruheim, Donald Stoltz and Christopher Krummel).

 

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Section 2.02 Removal; Resignation; Vacancies .

 

(a)  Removal . A FTP Investor Director may be removed at any time as a Director on the Board (with or without cause) upon, and only upon, the written request of the FTP Investors, except as required by Applicable Law. Each other Stockholder shall vote all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within his, her or its control (including in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise), and the Company shall take all necessary or desirable actions within its control, to remove or replace from the Board such FTP Investor Director upon, and only upon, such written request. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, unless the FTP Investors shall otherwise consent in writing, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, no other Stockholder shall take any action to cause the removal of an FTP Investor Director.

 

(b) Resignation . A Director may resign at any time from the Board by delivering his written resignation to the Board. Any such resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the occurrence of some other event. The Board’s acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

(c) Vacancies . In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board at any time due to the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a FTP Investor Director, then the FTP Investors shall have the right to designate an individual to fill such vacancy for the balance of such FTP Investor Director’s term and the Company and each Stockholder (whether in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise) hereby agree to take such actions as may be necessary or desirable within his, her or its control (including, in the case of a Stockholder, by voting all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control) to ensure the election or appointment of such designee to fill such vacancy on the Board to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law. In the event that the FTP Investors shall fail to designate in writing a representative to fill a vacant FTP Investor Director position on the Board, and such failure shall continue for more than thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to the FTP Investors with respect to such failure, then the vacant position shall be filled by an individual designated by the FTP Investor Directors then in office; provided , that such individual shall be removed from such position if the FTP Investors so direct and simultaneously designate a new FTP Investor Director.

 

Section 2.03 Meetings of the Board of Directors .

 

(a) Generally . The Board shall meet at such time and at such place as the Board may designate. Meetings of the Board may be held either in person or by means of telephone or video conference or other communications device that permits all Directors participating in the meeting to hear each other, at the offices of the Company or such other place (either within or outside the State of Nevada) as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Written notice of each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director at least 48 hours prior to each such meeting.

 

(b) Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board shall be held on the call of such number of directors and upon such notice as provided in the Company’s bylaws. Any Director may waive such notice as to himself or herself.

 

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(c) Quorum Requirements . The presence of a majority of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not achieved at any duly called meeting, such meeting may be postponed to a time no earlier than 24 hours after written notice of such postponement has been given to the Directors.

 

(d) Recusal . Each FTP Investor Director may recuse himself or herself from being present or participating at a meeting (or portion thereof) at which a matter is considered in which the FTP Investors’ interest as the Note Holders under the Notes Agreement, or any other interest of the FTP Investors, can be reasonably expected to be in conflict with the FTP Investors’ interest as Stockholders, or voting on any such matter. Any recused FTP Investor Director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at any meeting at which such a matter is considered but his or her vote shall not be counted in determining the number of required votes to approve such matter if he either voluntarily or mandatorily recuses himself or herself.

 

Section 2.04 Special Approval Matters . Until such time that the FTP Investors beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested, but excluding any such beneficial ownership attributable to the holding of Notes under the Notes Agreement), the following actions shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, including the affirmative vote of at least 2 (two) of the FTP Investor Directors then in office:

 

(i) the direct or indirect transfer or other disposal of any of the Company’s ownership in any Company Subsidiary (whether by the Company or a Company Subsidiary);

 

(ii) authorizing any of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to engage in any business activity other than as permitted by the Notes Agreement;

 

(iii) any transaction by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with any Affiliate of the Company (other than transactions between the Company and a Company Subsidiary or between Company Subsidiaries);

 

(iv) the payment of any management fees or other payments to any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Company Subsidiary);

 

(v)  sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business (including sales of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary);

 

(vi) any merger with any Person involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any transaction that would result in a Change of Control;

 

(vii) the issuance of Capital Stock by the Company or of any Capital Stock by any Company Subsidiary, other than (A) the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to awards under the Stock Option Plans that are outstanding on the date hereof, (B) the issuance of up to 3,571,429 shares of Common Stock to any Person(s) acceptable to FTP who are holders of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement at a purchase price of $1.40 per share, (C) the issuance of Common Stock in connection with the Note Conversion and (D) the issuance of Common Stock the proceeds of which are used to repay all outstanding Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereto and the applicable Make Whole Premium (as defined in the Notes Agreement), concurrently with the consummation thereof;

 

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(viii)  any change in the auditor of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(ix) any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification of the Certificate of Incorporation or any of the other organizational documents (including by-laws) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(x)  any increase in the numbers of Directors;

 

(xi)  the adoption of any new Stock Option Plan and/or any increase in the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to Stock Option grants under the Stock Option Plans;

 

(xii) the voluntary incurrence by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of any material liability, including Indebtedness (as defined in the Notes Agreement);

 

(xiii) the formation of any Company Subsidiary or entry into any limited liability company agreement, stockholder agreement or other governing document of any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xiv) the entry into, termination of or material amendment to any employment agreement with the person serving as the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel or vice president of the Company;

 

(xv) the declaration or payment of any distributions or dividends;

 

(xvi) the voluntary winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xvii) the grant of any material security or lien on any asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xviii) the filing of a voluntary petition, or the initiation of proceedings, to have the Company or any Company Subsidiary adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(xix) the consenting to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xx) the filing of a petition seeking or consenting to the reorganization of the Company or any Company Subsidiary as debtor under any applicable federal, state or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for debtors;

 

(xxi)  seeking or consenting to the appointment of any trustee, receiver, conservator, assignee, sequestrator, custodian, liquidator (or other similar official) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or of all or any substantial part of its properties or assets;

 

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(xxii) the making by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(xxiii) any material acquisition or material investment by the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(xxiv)  the entry into any material contract or any amendment to a material contract;

 

(xxv)  the transfer of any equipment or vehicles from any foreign jurisdiction to the Unites States or from the United States to any foreign jurisdiction;

 

(xxvi) any change to the Company’s insurance coverage as in effect on the date hereof; and

 

(xxvii) the entry into any contractual obligation to take any of the actions set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xxvi).

 

Section 2.05 Compensation; No Employment .

 

(a) Compensation of Directors . The Company and each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i) each Director shall be reimbursed by the Company for his or her reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties as a Director, including attendance in person at meetings of the Board (or any committees thereof), pursuant to such policies as from time to time established by the Board.

 

(ii) Nothing contained in this Section 2.05 shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Company or any Company Subsidiary in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for such services.

 

(b) No Right of Employment Conferred. This Agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer upon any Director any rights with respect to employment by the Company, and nothing herein should be construed to have created any employment agreement with any Director.

 

Section 2.06 Committees . The Company and each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that the Board may, by resolution, designate from among the Directors one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of one or more Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution forming such committee, shall have and may exercise the authority of the Board, subject to the limitations set forth in the Nevada Act. The Board may dissolve any committee or remove any member of a committee at any time.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.06 , to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law the Company and each Stockholder agree that, so long as the FTP Investors are entitled to nominate one or more FTP Investor Directors pursuant to Section 2.01(i) , (x) the Board shall have an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating committee (with the duties and authority customarily given to such committees), and each such committee shall have at least one FTP Investor Director thereon, as selected by the FTP Investors, subject to such FTP Investor Directors satisfying any independence or other qualification requirements imposed by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations of any National Securities Exchange, to the extent applicable, and (y) no other Board committees shall be formed without the affirmative vote of at least two (2) of the FTP Investor Directors then in office.

 

Section 2.07 Termination . This Article II , and the covenants contained herein, shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the FTP Investors’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock is, in the aggregate, less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested) or (ii) a Change of Control.

 

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ARTICLE III

PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

 

Section 3.01 Pre-emptive Right .

 

(a) Issuance of New Securities . If the Board desires to cause the Company to issue New Securities, whether for cash or any other consideration, other than an issuance of New Securities described in clause (A), (B), (C) or (D) of Section 2.04(vii), so long as the FTP Investors beneficially own, in the aggregate, not less than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, the FTP Investors shall have the first right (in such a case, the “ Pre-emptive Stockholders ”) to acquire up to the amount of New Securities that is necessary to ensure that the FTP Investors’ Common Percentage after giving effect to the issuance of such New Securities is not less than the FTP Investors’ Common Percentage immediately prior to the issuance of such New Securities (the “ Pre-emptive Portion ”).

 

(b) Additional Issuance Notices . The Company shall give written notice (an “ Issuance Notice ”) of any proposed issuance or sale of New Securities described in Section 3.01(a) to the Pre-emptive Stockholder within five (5) Business Days following any meeting of the Board at which any such issuance or sale is approved. The Issuance Notice shall, if applicable, be accompanied by a written offer from any prospective purchaser seeking to purchase the applicable New Securities (a “ Prospective Purchaser ”) and shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the proposed issuance or sale, including:

 

(i) the number and description of New Securities proposed to be issued;

 

(ii) the proposed issuance date, which shall be at least ten (10) Business Days from the date of the Issuance Notice;

 

(iii) the proposed purchase price per share of New Securities and all other material terms of the offer or sale; and

 

(iv)  if the consideration to be paid by the Prospective Purchaser includes non-cash consideration, the Fair Market Value thereof.

 

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(c) Exercise of Pre-emptive Rights . The Pre-emptive Stockholders shall for a period of five (5) Business Days following the receipt of an Issuance Notice (the “ Pre-emptive Exercise Period ”) have the right to elect irrevocably to purchase all or any portion of their Pre-emptive Portion of any New Securities on the terms and conditions, including, the purchase price, set forth in the Issuance Notice by delivering a written notice to the Company (a “ Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice ”) specifying the number of New Securities they desire to purchase up to their Pre-emptive Portion. The delivery of a Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice by the Pre-emptive Stockholders shall be a binding and irrevocable offer by such Pre-emptive Stockholders to purchase the New Securities described therein, allocated among them as they may agree. The failure of the Pre-emptive Stockholders to deliver a Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice by the end of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period shall constitute a waiver of their rights under this Section 3.01(c) with respect to the purchase of such New Securities, but shall not affect their rights with respect to any future issuances or sales of New Securities.

 

(d) Sales to the Prospective Purchaser . Following the expiration of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period, the Company shall be free to complete the proposed issuance or sale of New Securities described in the Issuance Notice with respect to which the Pre-emptive Stockholders declined to exercise the pre-emptive right set forth in this Section 3.01 on terms no less favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Issuance Notice (except that the amount of New Securities to be issued or sold by the Company may be reduced); provided , that: (i) such issuance or sale is closed within twenty (20) Business Days after the expiration of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period (subject to the extension of such twenty (20) Business Day period for a reasonable time not to exceed forty (40) Business Days to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain any third-party approvals); and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, the price at which the New Securities are sold to the Prospective Purchaser is at least equal to or higher than the purchase price described in the Issuance Notice. In the event the Company has not sold such New Securities within such time period, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without first again offering such securities to the Pre-emptive Stockholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.01 .

 

(e) Closing of the Issuance . The closing of any purchase by any Pre-emptive Stockholder shall be consummated concurrently with the consummation of the issuance or sale described in the Issuance Notice. Upon the issuance or sale of any New Securities in accordance with this Section 3.01 , the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the New Securities in certificated form, free and clear of any liens (other than those arising hereunder and those attributable to the actions of the purchasers thereof), and the Company shall so represent and warrant to the purchasers thereof, and further represent and warrant to such purchasers that such New Securities shall be, upon issuance thereof to such purchasers and after payment therefor, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Each Pre-emptive Stockholder shall deliver to the Company the purchase price for the New Securities purchased by it by certified or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds. Each party to the purchase and sale of New Securities shall take all such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the purchase and sale, including, without limitation, entering into such additional agreements as may be necessary or appropriate.

 

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(f) Underwritten Public Offering. Notwithstanding anything in this Article III to the contrary, in the event that any issuance of New Securities is to be made pursuant to an underwritten Public Offering, the Pre-emptive Stockholders shall have the right to purchase up to their Pre-emptive Portion in accordance with the following procedures. Upon approval by the Board of the commencement of an underwritten Public Offering by the Company (which approval shall set forth the proposed size of the underwritten Public Offering, the New Securities to be offered and an estimate (which may be based upon a midpoint of a range) of the offering price) and delivery by the Company of notice to the Pre-emptive Stockholders of such Board approval and related information, the Pre-emptive Stockholders shall elect within three (3) Business Days of delivery of such notice to purchase up to their Pre-emptive Portion of such Public Offering based upon the terms approved by the Board by delivery of a written notice back to the Company within such three (3) Business Day period. The Pre-emptive Stockholders may revoke such election to purchase if (i) the non-pricing terms of any agreements proposed to be entered into by the Pre-emptive Stockholders in connection with the underwritten Public Offering are not commercially reasonable or would adversely affect the liquidity of the Shares beneficially owned by the Pre-emptive Stockholders or (ii) the pricing of such New Securities offered by the underwriters in connection with such underwritten Public Offering is less than 95% of, or greater than 105% of, the estimated price previously approved by the Board (in which event the Pre-emptive Stockholders may elect to reduce or eliminate their purchase of New Securities entirely in connection with the underwritten Public Offering).

 

(g) Termination. This Section 3.01 , and the covenants contained herein, shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the FTP Investors’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock is, in the aggregate, less than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested) or (ii) a Change of Control.

 

ARTICLE IV

TRANSFER

 

Section 4.01 General Restrictions on Transfer .

 

(a) Management Stockholders . Each Management Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that until the termination contemplated in Section 3.01(g) , such Management Stockholder (or any Permitted Transferee of such Management Stockholder) shall not Transfer any Common Stock, Preferred Stock, or Stock Equivalents, except:

 

(A) pursuant to Section 4.02 ;
     
(B) pursuant to Section 4.03 ; or
     
(C) upon the exercise of a tag-along right by a Tag-along Stockholder pursuant to Section 4.04 .

 

Any such Transfer by a Management Stockholder shall be made only either as permitted pursuant to Section 4.02 or in strict accordance with the restrictions, conditions and procedures described in the other provisions of this Section 4.01 and Section 4.03 and Section 4.04 , as applicable.

 

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(b)  Other Transfer Restrictions. Each Stockholder agrees that (A) except to the extent permitted by Section 4.02 , any Transfer will be subject to Section 4.04 and (B) it will not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any of its Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents, and the Company agrees that it shall not issue any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents:

 

(i) except as permitted under the Securities Act and other applicable federal or state securities or blue sky laws, and then, with respect to a Transfer of Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents, if requested by the Company, only upon delivery to the Company of a written opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act;

 

(ii) if such Transfer or issuance would cause the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; or

 

(iii) if such Transfer or issuance would cause the assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be deemed “Plan Assets” as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or its accompanying regulations or result in any “prohibited transaction” thereunder involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

(c) Joinder Agreement. Except with respect to any Transfer pursuant to a Public Offering, no Transfer of Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents by any FTP Investor, any Other Investor or any Management Stockholder shall be deemed completed until the Transferee shall have entered into a Joinder Agreement.

 

(d) Transfers in Violation of this Agreement . Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents in violation of this Agreement, including any failure of a Transferee, as applicable, to enter into a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 4.01(c) above, shall be null and void, no such Transfer shall be recorded on the Company’s books and the purported Transferee in any such Transfer shall not be treated (and the Stockholder or Other Investor proposing to make any such Transfer shall continue be treated) as the owner of such Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.02 Permitted Transfers . Subject to Section 4.01 above, including the requirement to enter into a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 4.01(c) above, the provisions of Section 4.03 and Section 4.04 shall not apply to any of the following Transfers by any Stockholder of any of its Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents:

 

(a) With respect to the FTP Investors, to any Affiliate of any FTP Investor;

 

(b)  With respect to each Management Stockholder, to any Affiliate of such Management Stockholder that executes a Joinder Agreement;

 

(c) With respect to any Management Stockholder, to any Person as part of a Public Offering occurring at least six months after the date hereof;

 

(d) With respect to any Management Stockholder, to the Company in a transaction this is approved by the Board; and

 

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(e)  With respect to each Management Stockholder, Transfers in connection with a tender offer for all or substantially all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company that is made available to all stockholders of the Company and recommended to the stockholders of the Company by the Board in accordance with the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Section 4.03 Right of First Refusal .

 

(a) Offered Stock . At any time prior to the termination contemplated in Section 3.01(g) , and subject to the terms and conditions specified in Section 4.01 , Section 4.02 , this Section 4.03 and Section 4.04 , the FTP Investors and each Management Stockholder holding Preferred Stock or Common Stock (collectively with the FTP Investors, the “ ROFR Rightholders ”) shall have a right of first refusal if any other Management Stockholder (the “ Offering Stockholder ”) receives a bona fide offer from any Person (a “ Prospective Transferee ”) that the Offering Stockholder desires to accept (a “ Transfer Offer ”) to Transfer all or any portion of any Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) it owns (the “ Offered Stock ”). Each time an Offering Stockholder receives a Transfer Offer for any Offered Stock from a Prospective Transferee, the Offering Stockholder shall first make an offering of the Offered Stock to each ROFR Rightholder other than the Offering Stockholder (the “ Applicable ROFR Rightholders ”), all in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 4.03 , prior to Transferring such Offered Stock to the Prospective Transferee. For any particular Transfer Offer, this right of first refusal and the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.03 shall be applied separately on a class-by-class and series-by-series basis for each class or series of Offered Stock, as applicable (including for purposes of calculating the respective ROFR pro rata portions in Section 4.03(d) ).

 

(b) Offered Stock Transfer Exceptions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the right of first refusal in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to any Transfer Offer or Transfer of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) that are:

 

(i) permitted by and made in accordance with Section 4.02 ; or

 

(ii) are made by a Tag-along Stockholder upon the exercise of its tag-along right pursuant to Section 4.04 after the Applicable ROFR Rightholders have declined to exercise their rights in full under this Section 4.03 .

 

(c) Offer Notice.

 

(i) The Offering Stockholder shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of the Transfer Offer, give written notice (a “ ROFR Notice ”) to the Company and each Applicable ROFR Rightholder stating that it has received a Transfer Offer for the Offered Stock and specifying:

 

(A) the class(es) or series and the applicable aggregate number of shares of Offered Stock to be Transferred by the Offering Stockholder;

 

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(B) the proposed date, time and location of the closing of the Transfer, which shall not be less than thirty (30) Business Days from the date of the ROFR Notice;
     
(C) the purchase price per share for each applicable class or series of Offered Stock (which shall be payable solely in cash) and the other material terms and conditions of the Transfer Offer; and
     
(D) the name of the Prospective Transferee who has offered to purchase such Offered Stock.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Transfer Offer involving more than one class or series of Offered Stock, the Offering Stockholder may deliver a single ROFR Notice to the Company and each Applicable ROFR Rightholder.

 

(ii) The ROFR Notice shall constitute the Offering Stockholder’s offer to Transfer all of the Offered Stock to the Applicable ROFR Rightholders in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.03 , which offer shall be irrevocable until the end of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period described in Section 4.03(d)(ii) .

 

(iii) By delivering the ROFR Notice, the Offering Stockholder represents and warrants to the Company and each Applicable ROFR Rightholder that:

 

(A) the Offering Stockholder has full right, title and interest in and to the Offered Stock described in the ROFR Notice;
     
(B) the Offering Stockholder has all the necessary power and authority and has taken all necessary action to Transfer the Offered Stock described in the ROFR Notice as contemplated by this Section 4.03 ; and
     
(C) the Offered Stock described in the ROFR Notice is free and clear of any and all liens other than those arising as a result of or under the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d) Exercise of Right of First Refusal; Over-Allotment Option .

 

(i) Upon receipt of the ROFR Notice, each Applicable ROFR Rightholder shall have the right to purchase the Offered Stock on the terms and purchase price(s) set forth in the ROFR Notice. The Applicable ROFR Rightholders shall have the right to purchase all (but not less than all) of their respective ROFR Pro Rata Portions of each class or series of the remaining Offered Stock, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.03(d)(ii) . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable ROFR Rightholders may only exercise their right to purchase the Offered Stock if, after giving effect to all elections made under this Section 4.03(d) , no less than all of each class or series of Offered Stock will be purchased by the Applicable ROFR Rightholders.

 

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(ii) For a period of ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of a ROFR Notice (such period, the “ Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period ”), each Applicable ROFR Rightholder shall have the right to elect to purchase all (but not less than all) of its ROFR Pro Rata Portion of each class or series of Offered Stock by delivering a written notice to the Company and the Offering Stockholder (an “ Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice ”) specifying its desire to purchase its ROFR Pro Rata Portion of each class or series of Offered Stock, on the terms and applicable purchase price(s) set forth in the ROFR Notice. The Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice shall be binding upon delivery and irrevocable by the Applicable ROFR Rightholder.

 

(iii) If the Applicable ROFR Rightholders pursuant to Section 4.03(d)(ii) do not, in the aggregate, elect to purchase all of the Offered Stock, each Applicable ROFR Rightholder electing pursuant to Section 4.03(d)(ii) to purchase its entire ROFR Pro Rata Portion of each class or series of remaining Offered Stock (each, an “ Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder ”) shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of any class or series of remaining Offered Stock not elected to be purchased by the Applicable ROFR Rightholders. As promptly as practicable following the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Period, the Offering Stockholder shall deliver a written notice to each Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders (an “ Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Notice ”) stating the number(s) and type(s) of remaining Offered Stock available for purchase following the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Period. For a period of ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of an Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Notice (such period, the “ Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period ”), each Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder shall have the right to elect to purchase all or any portion of each class or series of remaining Offered Stock by delivering a written notice to the Company and the Offering Stockholder (an “ Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice ”) specifying the number(s) and type(s) of additional remaining Offered Stock it desires to purchase on the terms and applicable purchase price(s) set forth in the ROFR Notice. The Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice shall be binding upon delivery and irrevocable by the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder.

 

(iv) The failure of any Applicable ROFR Rightholder to deliver an Applicable ROFR Rightholder Exercise Notice by the end of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period or the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period, as applicable, shall constitute a waiver of the applicable rights of first refusal under this Section 4.03 with respect to the Transfer of the Offered Stock, but shall not affect their respective rights with respect to any future Transfers.

 

(e) Allocation of Offered Stock . Upon the expiration of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period or, if applicable, the expiration of the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period, each class or series of remaining Offered Stock shall be allocated for purchase among the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders, as follows:

 

(i) First, to each Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder having elected pursuant to Section 4.03(d)(ii) to purchase its entire ROFR Pro Rata Portion of each class or series of remaining Offered Stock, such Applicable ROFR Rightholder’s ROFR Pro Rata Portion of each class or series of such remaining Offered Stock; and

 

    19  

 

 

(ii)       Second, the balance, if any, not allocated under clause (i) above shall be allocated to those Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders electing pursuant to Section 4.03(d)(iii) to purchase a number of remaining Offered Stock exceeding their respective ROFR Pro Rata Portions, in an amount, with respect to each such Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder, that is equal to the lesser of:

 

(A) the number of such class or series of remaining Offered Stock that such Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder elected to purchase in excess of its applicable ROFR Pro Rata Portion; and
     
(B) the product of (1) the number of each class or series of remaining Offered Stock not allocated under Section 4.03(e)(i) multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of such class or series of remaining Offered Stock that such Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder was permitted to purchase pursuant to Section 4.03(e)(i) , and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of such class or series of remaining Offered Stock that all Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders were permitted to purchase pursuant to Section 4.03(e)(i) ;

 

provided , that if following the allocation under this Section 4.03(e)(ii) there are any remaining unallocated shares of and class or series of remaining Offered Stock, those shares shall be allocated to those Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders who have not yet been allocated their full share election of such class or series made pursuant to Section 4.03(d)(iii) pro rata based on the number of remaining shares of such class or series elected to be purchased by those Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholders until no Offered Stock remains.

 

(f) Consummation of Sale to the Applicable ROFR Rightholders . In the event that the Applicable ROFR Rightholders shall have, in the aggregate, exercised their respective rights to purchase all and not less than all of the Offered Stock, then the Offering Stockholder shall sell such Offered Stock to the Applicable ROFR Rightholders, and the Applicable ROFR Rightholders, as the case may be, shall purchase such Offered Stock, within sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period or, if applicable, the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period (either of which period may be extended for a reasonable time not to exceed ninety (90) days to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain required approvals or consents from any Governmental Authority). Each Stockholder shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the sale contemplated by this Section 4.03(f) , including, without limitation, entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments and consents as may be deemed necessary or appropriate. At the closing of any sale and purchase pursuant to this Section 4.03(f) , the Offering Stockholder shall deliver to the participating Applicable ROFR Rightholders certificates (if any) representing the Offered Stock to be sold, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances (other than those contained in this Agreement), accompanied by evidence of transfer and all necessary transfer taxes paid and stamps affixed, if necessary, against receipt of the purchase price therefor from such Applicable ROFR Rightholders by certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

    20  

 

 

(g)  Sale to Proposed Purchaser . In the event that the Applicable ROFR Rightholders shall not have collectively elected to purchase all of the Offered Stock, then, provided the Offering Stockholder has also complied with the provisions of Section 4.04 and Section 4.01 , to the extent applicable, the Offering Stockholder may Transfer all of such Offered Stock, at a price per share for each applicable class or series of Offered Stock not less than that specified in the ROFR Notice and on other terms and conditions which are not materially more favorable in the aggregate to the Prospective Transferee than those specified in the ROFR Notice, but only to the extent that such Transfer occurs within ninety (90) days after expiration of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period or, if applicable, the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period. Any Offered Stock not Transferred within such 90-day period will be subject to the provisions of this Section 4.03 upon subsequent Transfer.

 

(h)  Termination . This Section 4.03 , and the covenants contained herein, shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the FTP Investors’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock is, in the aggregate, less than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested) or (ii) a Change of Control.

 

Section 4.04 Tag-along Right .

 

(a)  Participation on Sale of Stock . Subject to the terms and conditions specified in Section 4.01 and this Section 4.04 , if any Stockholder (the “ Selling Stockholder ”) proposes to Transfer all of its Shares (or Stock Equivalents) (collectively, the “ Tag-along Stock ”) to any Person, each other Stockholder holding shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock (each, a “ Tag-along Stockholder ”) shall be permitted to participate in such sale (a “ Tag-along Sale ”) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.04 . This participation right and the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.04 shall be applied separately on a class-by-class and series-by-series basis for each class or series of Tag-along Stock, as applicable.

 

(b) Tag-along Sale Exceptions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 4.04 shall not apply to any Transfer of Tag-along Stock that is:

 

(i) permitted by and made in accordance with Section 4.02 ;

 

(ii) made to any Applicable ROFR Rightholder pursuant to the exercise of the rights set forth in Section 4.03 ; or

 

(iii)  made pursuant to a Public Offering.

 

(c)  Tag-along Notice . The Selling Stockholder shall deliver to the Company and each other Tag-along Stockholder a written notice (a “ Tag-along Notice ”) of the proposed Tag-along Sale within (i) five (5) Business Days following the expiration of the Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period or, if applicable, the Exercising Applicable ROFR Rightholder Option Period, in the event that the Applicable ROFR Rightholders shall not have, in the aggregate, exercised their respective rights to purchase all and not less than all of the Offered Stock pursuant to Section 4.03 , or (ii) twenty (20) Business Days prior to the consummation of any Tag-along Sale which was not subject to Section 4.03 .

 

    21  

 

 

The Tag-along Notice shall make reference to the Tag-along Stockholders’ rights hereunder and shall describe in reasonable detail:

 

(i) The class(es) or series and applicable aggregate number of Tag-along Stock the Selling Stockholder proposes to Transfer;

 

(ii) The identity of the prospective Transferee(s);

 

(iii) The proposed date, time and location of the closing of the Tag-along Sale, which shall not be less than sixty (60) Business Days from the date of the Tag-along Notice;

 

(iv) The purchase price per share for each applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock (which shall be payable solely in cash) and the other material terms and conditions of the Transfer; and

 

(v)  A copy of any form of agreement proposed to be executed in connection therewith.

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Tag-along Sale involving more than one class or series of Tag-along Stock, the Selling Stockholder may deliver a single Tag-along Notice to the Company and each Tag-along Stockholder.

 

(d)   Exercise of Tag-along Right .

 

(i) Each Tag-along Stockholder may exercise its right to participate in the Tag-along Sale on the terms described in the Tag-along Notice by delivering to the Selling Stockholder a written notice (a “ Tag-along Exercise Notice ”) stating its election to do so for each class or series of Tag-along Stock included in the Tag-along Notice no later than ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the Tag-along Notice (the “ Tag-along Exercise Period ”). The election of each Tag-along Stockholder set forth in a Tag-along Exercise Notice shall be irrevocable, and, to the extent the offer in the Tag-along Notice is accepted, such Tag-along Stockholder shall be bound and obligated to consummate the Transfer on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.04 . If one or more Tag-along Stockholders elects pursuant to a Tag-along Exercise Notice and this Section 4.04(d)(i) to participate in the Tag-along Sale, the number of each applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock that the Selling Stockholder may sell in the Tag-along Sale shall be correspondingly reduced in accordance with Section 4.04(d)(ii) .

 

(ii) The Selling Stockholder and each Tag-along Stockholder timely electing to participate in the Tag-along Sale pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i) shall have the right to Transfer in the Tag-along Sale the number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) of each class or series of Tag-along Stock set out in the applicable Tag-along Notice, treated as separate classes for purposes of this calculation, equal to the product of (A) the aggregate number of shares of the particular class or series of Tag-along Stock, as the case may be, set out in the applicable Tag-along Notice and (B) such Stockholder’s Tag-along Pro Rata Portion for the applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock. Any Tag-along Stockholder may elect to sell in the Tag-along Sale less than the number of Shares (or Stock Equivalents) calculated pursuant to this Section 4.04(d)(ii) for any particular class or series of Tag-along Stock, in which case the Selling Stockholder and each Tag-along Stockholder timely electing to sell its full Tag-along Pro Rata Portion of each applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock in the Tag-along Sale pursuant to this Section 4.04(d)(ii) (each, a “ Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder ”) shall have the right, pursuant to Section 4.04(e) , to sell the applicable shares of Tag-along Stock not elected to be sold by a Tag-along Stockholder.

 

    22  

 

 

(e)  Remaining Tag-along Stock .

 

(i)       If any Tag-along Stockholder either declines to exercise its right to participate in any Tag-along Sale under Section 4.04(d) or elects to exercise it with respect to less than its full Tag-along Pro Rata Portion for any class or series of Tag-along Stock, the Selling Stockholder shall deliver a written notice (a “ Remaining Tag-along Stock Notice ”) to each of the Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholders within five (5) Business Days following the expiration of the Tag-along Exercise Period, informing each Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder of the aggregate number of shares of each class or series of Tag-along Stock that the Tag-along Stockholders have not elected to sell (such shares, the “ Remaining Tag-along Stock ”). The Selling Stockholder and each Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder shall be entitled to Transfer in the Tag-along Sale, in addition to any applicable Shares (or Stock Equivalents) already being Transferred by such Stockholder pursuant to this Section 4.04 , a number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) of each class or series of Remaining Tag-along Stock, treated separately for purposes of this calculation, held by it equal to the product of (A) the number of Shares (or Stock Equivalents) of the applicable class or series of Remaining Tag-along Stock, and (B) a fraction determined by dividing (1) the number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Remaining Tag-along Stock owned by such Stockholder, by (2) the aggregate number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) on a Fully Diluted Basis of the applicable class or series of Remaining Tag-along Stock owned by the Selling Stockholder and all of the Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholders.

 

(ii)       Each Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder shall exercise its right to sell Remaining Tag-along Stock in accordance with Section 4.04(e)(i) by delivering to the Selling Stockholder a written notice (a “ Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Notice ”) stating its election to do so and specifying the number of additional Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) of each applicable class or series of Remaining Tag-along Stock held by it to be included in the Tag-along Sale pursuant to Section 4.04(e)(i) ), no later than five (5) Business Days after receipt of the Remaining Tag-along Stock Notice (the “ Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Period ”).

 

(iii)       The election of each Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder set forth in a Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Notice shall be irrevocable, and, to the extent the offer in the Tag-along Notice is accepted, such Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder shall be bound and obligated to consummate the Transfer of the additional Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) allocable to it on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.04 .

 

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(f)        Waiver . Each Tag-along Stockholder who does not deliver a Tag-along Exercise Notice in compliance with Section 4.04(d)(i) and each Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder who does not deliver a Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Notice in compliance with Section 4.04(e) shall be deemed to have waived all of such Tag-along Stockholder’s and all such Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder’s rights to participate in the Tag-along Sale with respect to the Capital Stock (or applicable Stock Equivalents) or, in the case of a Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder, the applicable portion thereof owned by such Tag-along Stockholder, and the Selling Stockholder shall (subject to the rights of any other participating Tag-along Stockholder or Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholder) thereafter be free to sell to the prospective Transferee the Tag-along Stock or Remaining Tag-along Stock, as applicable, identified in the Tag-along Notice or the Remaining Tag-along Stock Exercise Notice, as applicable, at a per share price for each class or series of such Tag-along Stock or Remaining Tag-along Stock, as applicable, that is no greater than the applicable per share price set forth in the Tag-along Notice and on other terms and conditions which are not in the aggregate materially more favorable to the Selling Stockholder than those set forth in the Tag-along Notice, without any further obligation to the non-accepting Tag-along Stockholders or Fully Electing Tag-along Stockholders, as applicable.

 

(g)        Conditions of Sale .

 

(i)       Each Stockholder participating in the Tag-along Sale shall receive the same consideration per class or series of Tag-along Stock, after deduction of such Stockholder’s proportionate share of the related expenses in accordance with Section 4.04(i) below. In addition, no Transfer of any Tag-along Stock by the Selling Stockholder in the Tag-along Sale shall occur unless the prospective Transferee simultaneously purchases the Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) elected to be sold by the Tag-along Stockholders pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i) and Section 4.04(e) .

 

(ii)       Each Tag-along Stockholder shall execute the applicable purchase agreement, if any, and shall make or provide the same representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities as the Selling Stockholder makes or provides in connection with the Tag-along Sale; provided , that each Tag-along Stockholder shall only be obligated to make representations and warranties that relate specifically to a Stockholder (as opposed to the Company and its business) with respect to the Tag-along Stockholder’s title to and ownership of the applicable Shares (or Stock Equivalents), authorization, execution and delivery of relevant documents, enforceability of such documents against the Tag-along Stockholder, and other similar representations and warranties made by the Selling Stockholder, and shall not be obligated to make any of the foregoing representations and warranties with respect to any other Stockholder or their Shares (or Stock Equivalents); provided , further , that all indemnities and other obligations shall be made by the Selling Stockholder and each Tag-along Stockholder severally and not jointly and severally (A) with respect to breaches of representations, warranties and covenants made by the Selling Stockholder and the Tag-along Stockholders relating to the Company and its business, if any, pro rata based on the aggregate consideration received by the Selling Stockholder and each Tag-along Stockholder in the Tag-along Sale, and (B) in an amount not to exceed for the Selling Stockholder or any Tag-along Stockholder, the aggregate consideration received by the Selling Stockholder and each such Tag-along Stockholder in connection with the Tag-along Sale, as applicable, plus the amount of any consideration forfeited by the Selling Stockholder or such Tag-along Stockholder, as applicable, to which it is entitled but has not yet received (including, without limitation, as a result of an escrow agreement, earn-out or similar arrangement).

 

    24  

 

 

(iii)       Each holder of then currently exercisable Stock Equivalents with respect to a class or series of Tag-along Stock proposed to be Transferred in a Tag-along Sale shall be given an opportunity to convert such Stock Equivalents into the applicable class or series of Tag-along Stock prior to the consummation of the Tag-along Sale and participate in such sale as holders of such class or series of Tag-along Stock.

 

(h)        Cooperation . Subject to Section 4.04(g)(ii) , each Tag-along Stockholder shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the Tag-along Sale, including, without limitation entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments (including stock certificates evidencing the applicable Shares, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer duly executed in blank), in each case, consistent with the agreements being entered into and the certificates and instruments being delivered by the Selling Stockholder.

 

(i)        Expenses . The fees and expenses of the Selling Stockholder incurred in connection with a Tag-along Sale and for the benefit of all Tag-along Stockholders (it being understood that costs incurred by or on behalf of a Selling Stockholder for its sole benefit will not be considered to be for the benefit of all Tag-along Stockholders), to the extent not paid or reimbursed by the Company or the prospective Transferee, shall be shared by the Selling Stockholder and all the participating Tag-along Stockholders on a pro rata basis, based on the aggregate consideration received by each such Stockholder; provided , that no Tag-along Stockholder shall be obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the consummation of the Tag-along Sale.

 

(j)        Consummation of Sale . Subject to the requirements and conditions of this Section 4.04 and the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, including Section 4.01 hereof, the Selling Stockholder shall have sixty (60) days following the expiration of the Tag-along Exercise Period in which to consummate the Tag-along Sale, on terms not more favorable to the Selling Stockholder than those set forth in the Tag-along Exercise Notice (which sixty (60) day period may be extended for a reasonable time not to exceed ninety (90) days to the extent reasonably necessary to obtain required approvals or consents from any Governmental Authority). If at the end of such period the Selling Stockholder has not completed the Tag-along Sale, the Selling Stockholder may not then effect a Transfer that is subject to this Section 4.04 without again fully complying with the provisions of this Section 4.04 . At the closing of the Tag-along Sale, each of the Tag-along Stockholders timely electing to participate in the Tag-along Sale pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i) shall enter into the agreements and deliver the certificates and instruments, in each case, required by Section 4.04(g) and Section 4.04(h) against payment therefor directly to the Tag-along Stockholder of the portion of the aggregate consideration to which each such Tag-along Stockholder is entitled in the Tag-along Sale in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.04 .

 

(k)        Transfers in Violation of the Tag-along Right . If the Selling Stockholder sells or otherwise Transfers to the prospective Transferee any of its Capital Stock (or Stock Equivalents) in breach of this Section 4.04 , then each Tag-along Stockholder shall have the right to sell to the Selling Stockholder, and the Selling Stockholder undertakes to purchase from each Tag-along Stockholder, the number of Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) of each applicable class or series that such Tag-along Stockholder would have had the right to sell to the prospective Transferee pursuant to this Section 4.04 , for a per share amount and form of consideration and upon the terms and conditions on which the prospective Transferee bought such shares from the Selling Stockholder, but without indemnity being granted by any Tag-along Stockholder to the Selling Stockholder; provided , that nothing contained in this Section 4.04(k) shall preclude any Stockholder from seeking alternative remedies against such Selling Stockholder as a result of its breach of this Section 4.04 . The Selling Stockholder shall also reimburse each Tag-along Stockholder for any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and expenses, incurred pursuant to the exercise or the attempted exercise of the Tag-along Stockholder’s rights under this Section 4.04(k) .

 

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(l)        Termination . This Section 4.04 , and the covenants contained herein, shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the FTP Investors’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock is, in the aggregate, less than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (on a Fully Diluted Basis and, for the avoidance of doubt, including options that are not yet vested) or (ii) a Change of Control.

 

ARTICLE V

NOTE CONVERSION

 

Section 5.01 Note Conversion. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Management Stockholder and each Other Investor shall vote all voting securities (including all voting Shares) owned by such Management Stockholder and such Other Investor, as applicable, or over which such Management Stockholder and such Other Investor, as applicable, has voting control, and shall take all other reasonably necessary or desirable actions (including actions reasonably requested by any FTP Investor) within his, her or its control (including in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise), and the Company shall take all reasonably necessary or desirable actions within its control, to ensure that the Notes (as defined in the Notes Agreement) are converted into the Shares (as defined in the Notes Agreement) on the terms and subject to the conditions in, and in accordance with, the Notes Agreement, including the receipt of all consents and approvals required by Applicable Law (the “ Note Conversion ”). The provisions of this Section 5.01 shall terminate immediately upon the consummation of the Note Conversion, and to the extent any other provision of this Agreement applies to the Other Investors (including Section 4.01(c) and Section 4.01(d)), such provisions shall terminate and be of no further force and effect with respect to the Other Investors notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary; provided that any such provisions shall continue in full force and effect with respect to each Stockholder to the extent such provisions apply to such Stockholder.

 

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 6.01 Representations and Warranties . Each Stockholder and Other Investor, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

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(a)       Such Stockholder or Other Investors, as applicable, has full capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Such Stockholder or Other Investor has duly executed and delivered this Agreement.

 

(b)       This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder or Other Investor, as applicable, enforceable against such Stockholder or such Other Investor in accordance with its terms except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Stockholder or Other Investor, as applicable, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority.

 

(c)       Except for this Agreement, the Notes Agreement, the Stock Option Plans, Award Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement, such Stockholder or such Other Investor, in each case, with respect to the Stockholders, such Stockholder or Other Investor, as applicable, has not entered into or agreed to be bound by any other agreements or arrangements of any kind with any other party with respect to any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Company, including agreements or arrangements with respect to the acquisition or disposition of any such Capital stock or Stock Equivalents or any interest therein or the voting of any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents (whether or not such agreements and arrangements are with the Company or any other Stockholder).

 

(d)       Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the date of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof).

 

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 7.01 Expenses . The Company agrees to pay on demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the FTP Investors (including the reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of consultants and counsel to the FTP Investors in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Notes Agreement).

 

Section 7.02 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company, each Stockholder and each Other Investor hereby agrees, at the request of the Company or any other Stockholder, to execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and to take such further actions as may be required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 7.03 Notices . All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.03 ):

 

If to the Company: Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc.
  2930 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
  Suite 275
  Houston, Texas 77043
  Facsimile: 281-531-7291
  E-mail: cboswell@ecostim-es.com
  Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
with a copy to: Vinson & Elkins LLP
  1001 Fannin Street
  Suite 2500
  Houston, Texas 77002-6760
  Facsimile: 713-615-5650
  E-mail: mstrock@velaw.com
  Attention: W. Matthew Strock
   
If to FTP Investors: FT SOF VII Holdings, LLC
 

c/o Fir Tree Inc. 55 West 46th Street

New York, New York 10036

E-mail: operations@firtree.com

 

With Legal Notices only to:

E-mail: legalnotice@firtree.com

Attention: General Counsel

   
with a copy to: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
  180 Maiden Lane
  New York, New York 10038
  Attn: Lucas T. Charleston, Esq.
  E-mail: lcharleston@stroock.com
   
If to Bienville: Bienville Argentina Opportunities Master Fund, L.P.
  521 Fifth Avenue, 35th Floor
  New York, New York 10175
  E-mail: donald.stoltz@bienvillecapital.com
  Attention: Don Stoltz

 

If to a Management Stockholder, to such Management Stockholder’s respective mailing address as set forth on Schedule A . If to Bruheim, to the mailing address set forth on Schedule A .

 

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Section 7.04 Headings . Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

Section 7.05 Severability . In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 7.06 Entire Agreement .

 

(a)       This Agreement, together with the Certificate of Incorporation, the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, the Stock Option Plans, the Award Agreements, the Notes Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and any Joinder Agreements executed after the date hereof (collectively, the “ Related Agreements ”), and all related Exhibits and Schedules hereto and thereto constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.

 

(b)       In the event of an inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any provisions of any Related Agreement with respect to the subject matter herein, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

Section 7.07 Successors and Assigns; Assignment . Subject to the rights and restrictions on Transfers set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and permitted assigns (including, in the case of any FTP Investor, the assignee of any note held by such FTP Investor under the Notes Agreement, which assignee shall be deemed a “FTP Investor” for any purposes hereunder). This Agreement may not be assigned by any Management Stockholder except as provided in this Agreement (or as otherwise consented to in a prior writing by the FTP Investors) and any such assignment in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Other Investor except as provided in this Agreement (or as otherwise consented to in a prior writing by the FTP Investors) and any such assignment in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void.

 

Section 7.08 No Third-party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto (and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns) and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person, including any creditor of the Company, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.09 Amendment . No provision of this Agreement may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing executed by the Company, the FTP Investors, and Stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock owned by Stockholders; provided, however, that (x) any amendment, supplement or modification that imposes an additional burden on any Management Stockholder or that adversely affects any Management Stockholder in a manner that is disproportionate to all other Stockholders in any material respects shall require the consent of the Management Stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock owned by the Management Stockholders and (y) any amendment, supplement or modification that directly and adversely affects any Other Investor shall require the consent of such Other Investor. Any such written amendment or modification will be binding upon the Company, each Stockholder and each Other Investor.

 

Section 7.10 Waiver . No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 7.10 shall diminish any of the explicit and implicit waivers described in this Agreement, including in, Section 4.03(d)(iv) , Section 4.04(f) and Section 7.13 hereof.

 

Section 7.11 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

Section 7.12 Submission to Jurisdiction. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (OR ANY STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE EVENT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION). BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ISSUER FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY:

 

(a)        ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

 

    30  

 

 

(b)        WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

 

(c)        AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE ISSUER, AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 7.03;

 

(d)        AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE ISSUER IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

 

(e)        AGREES THAT THE FTP INVESTORS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ISSUER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

 

(f)        AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.12 RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.

 

Section 7.13 Waiver of Jury Trial . THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR 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 transaction, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims. The parties each acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for the parties to enter into a business relationship that the parties have already relied on the waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely on the waiver in their related future dealings. The parties further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each 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, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation, this Agreement maybe filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

Section 7.14 Equitable Remedies . Each party hereto acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach by such party of any of its obligations under this Agreement would give rise to irreparable harm to the other parties, for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy, and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by such party of any such obligations, each of the other parties hereto shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to them in respect of such breach, be entitled to equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction (without any requirement to post bond).

 

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Section 7.15 Remedies Cumulative . The rights and remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to and not in substitution for any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity or otherwise.

 

Section 7.16 Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents, or supplements may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each party hereto and written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof has been received by each party hereto.

 

Section 7.17 Legend . In addition to any other legend required by Applicable Law, all physical certificates registered in the name of a Stockholder or Other Investor representing issued and outstanding Capital Stock shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT AMONG THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

 

In addition, all physical certificates registered in the name of a Stockholder or representing issued and outstanding Capital Stock issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.

 

Section 7.18 Irrevocable Proxy and Power of Attorney . Each Management Stockholder hereby appoints the FTP Investor and any designee of the FTP Investor, and each of them individually, its proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or act by written consent during the term of this Agreement with respect to such Management Stockholder’s Shares (or applicable Stock Equivalents) in accordance with the provisions of Article II of this Agreement. This proxy and power of attorney is given to secure the performance of the obligations of the Management Stockholders under this Agreement. Each Management Stockholder shall take such further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. This proxy and power of attorney granted by each Management Stockholder shall be irrevocable during the term of this Agreement, shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy and shall revoke any and all prior proxies granted by any Management Stockholder with respect to such Management Stockholder’s Shares or applicable Stock Equivalents. The power of attorney granted by each Management Stockholder herein is a durable power of attorney and shall survive the dissolution, bankruptcy, death or incapacity of the Management Stockholder. The proxy and power of attorney granted hereunder shall terminate upon the termination of the provisions of Article II in accordance with their terms.

 

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Section 7.19 Spousal Consent . If required under Applicable Law in the applicable Stockholder’s state of residence, each Management Stockholder who is married on the date of this Agreement shall cause such Management Stockholder’s spouse to execute and deliver to the Company a consent of spouse in the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “ Spousal Consent ”), dated as of the date hereof. If any Management Stockholder should marry following the date of this Agreement, such Management Stockholder shall cause his or her spouse to execute and deliver to the Company a Spousal Consent within thirty (30) days thereof.

 

Section 7.20 Cleansing of Material Non-Public Information. The Company hereby agrees that promptly (and, in any event, not later than three (3) Business Days) upon the reasonable request of the FTP Investors, the Company shall issue a public press release or file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, an Annual Report on Form 10-K (or an amendment thereto) or a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or an amendment thereto) containing any material non-public confidential information, if any, that has been disclosed to the FTP Investors or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, partners, agents or advisors by the Company (or on its behalf), including any Director of the Company nominated, or designated for nomination and appointment, by the FTP Investors.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

  The Company:
     
  ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Alexander Nickolatos
  Name: Alexander Nickolatos
  Title: CFO

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

    34  

 

 

  FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Brian Meyer
  Name: Brian Meyer
  Title: Authorized Person

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

    35  

 

 

  MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS
     
  By: /s/ Jon Christopher Boswell
    Name: Jon Christopher Boswell
     
  By: /s/ Carlos Fernandez
    Name: Carlos Fernandez
     
  By: /s/ Alexander Nickolatos
    Name: Alexander Nickolatos
     
  By: /s/ Craig Murrin
    Name: Craig Murrin
     
  By: /s/ Bobby Chapman
    Name: Bobby Chapman
     
  By: /s/ Miguel DiVincenzo
    Name: Miguel DiVincenzo

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

    36  

 

 

  The Other Investors:
     
  MR. BJARTE BRUHEIM
     
  By: /s/ Bjarte Bruhieim

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

    37  

 

 

 

  BIENVILLE ARGENTINA OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, L.P.
     
  By: /s/ Donald Stoltz
  Name: Donald Stoltz
  Title: Managing Member

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

    38  

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, (as amended from time to time, the “ Stockholder Rights Agreement ”), by and among ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), FT SOF HOLDINGS VII LLC and the other signatories party thereto from time to time. Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4.02(c) of the Stockholder Rights Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees that upon the execution of this Joinder Agreement, it shall become a party to the Stockholder Rights Agreement and shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the covenants, terms and conditions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement as though an original party thereto and shall be deemed to be a [Management Stockholder] [FTP Investor] [Other Investor] for all purposes thereof.

 

Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Stockholder Rights Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

Exhibit A- 1  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of [DATE].

 

  [TRANSFEREE STOCKHOLDER]
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title.  

 

Exhibit A- 2  

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF SPOUSAL CONSENT

 

I, _________, spouse of __________, acknowledge that I have read the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 3, 2017, by and among ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), FT SOF HOLDINGS VII LLC, and each Person identified on Schedule A thereto and executing a signature page thereto, to which this Consent is attached as Exhibit B (as the same may be amended or amended and restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), and that I understand the contents of the Agreement. I am aware that my spouse is a party to the Agreement and the Agreement contains provisions regarding the voting and transfer of shares of Capital Stock (as defined in the Agreement) of the Company which my spouse may own, including any interest I might have therein.

 

I hereby agree that I and any interest, including any community property interest, that I may have in any shares of Capital Stock of the Company subject to the Agreement shall be irrevocably bound by the Agreement, including any restrictions on the transfer or other disposition of any shares of Capital Stock or voting or other obligations as set forth in the Agreement. I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact with respect to the exercise of any rights and obligations under the Agreement.

 

This Consent shall be binding on my executors, administrators, heirs and assigns. I agree to execute and deliver such documents as may be necessary to carry out the intent of the Agreement and this Consent.

 

I am aware that the legal, financial and related matters contained in the Agreement are complex and that I am free to seek independent professional guidance or counsel with respect to this Consent. I have either sought such guidance or counsel or determined after reviewing the Agreement carefully that I will waive such right. I am under no disability or impairment that affects my decision to sign this Consent and I knowingly and voluntarily intend to be legally bound by this Consent.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

Exhibit B- 1  

 

 

Dated as of

 

   
  Signature
   
   
  Print Name

 

[To be notarized if required under applicable state law.]

 

Exhibit B- 2  

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Stockholder Name and Address
 
Jon Christopher Boswell
502 North Ronay
Spicewood, Texas 78669
 
Carlos Fernandez
Barao de Lucena 135 Apt 408
Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro RJ - Brasil
 
Alexander Nickolatos
PO Box 430693
Houston, TX 77243
 
Craig Murrin
3130 Jarrard Street
Houston, Texas 77005
 
Bobby Chapman
545 Mackey Road
Longview, Texas 75605
 
Miguel DiVincenzo
926 Bayou Parkway
Houston, TX 77077
 
Bruheim Address
 
Bjarte Bruheim
5502 Pristine Park Court
Houston, TX 72041

 

Schedule A- 1  

 

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), is dated as of March 3, 2017, by and among ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. , a Nevada corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “ Note Purchaser ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Note Purchaser holds 2,030,437 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock and the Issuer and the Note Purchaser are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Notes Agreement ”), dated as of March 3, 2017, pursuant to which some or all of the Notes held by Note Holders (as defined in the Notes Agreement) may be converted into Common Stock of the Issuer;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Notes Agreement, and pursuant to the terms of the Notes Agreement, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement in order to grant certain registration rights to the Note Purchaser as set forth below.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, and conditions set forth below, the Parties intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS.

 

Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Notes Agreement, and the principles of interpretation and other provisions of Section 1.2 and 1.3 of the Notes Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Allowable Grace Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

 

Blue Sky Filing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)(i).

 

Claims ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 7(a).

 

Demand Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

 

Failure ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

Grace Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

 

Indemnified Damages ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 7(a).

 

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 7(b).

 

     
   

 

Indemnified Person ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 7(a).

 

Inspectors ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 4(h).

 

Investor ” has the meaning set forth in the Section 7(a).

 

Issuer ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Long Form Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

Notes Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Note Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Parties ” means, collectively, the Issuer and the Note Holders.

 

Piggyback Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

 

Prospectus ” means the prospectus or prospectuses included in any Registration Statement, 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 such Registration Statement and by all other amendments and supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.

 

Registrable Securities ” means (a) any shares of Common Stock held by the Note Holders or their respective Affiliates or issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any convertible securities or options owned by the Note Holders at any time, including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Notes issued pursuant to the Notes Agreement and any shares of Common Stock otherwise acquired by the Note Holders or their respective Affiliates and (b) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to any shares described in subsection (a) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization (it being understood that for purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to then acquire or obtain from the Issuer any Registrable Securities, whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected). As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement covering such securities has been declared effective by the SEC and such securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such securities are sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met, (iii) such securities are otherwise transferred and such securities may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act, (iv) such securities (other than those held by the Note Holder Parties) may be resold pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1)(i) (or any successor provision), or (v) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.

 

Registration Date ” means the date of this Agreement.

 

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Registration Statement ” means any registration statement of the Issuer which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all materials incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

 

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any holder of Registrable Securities, except for the fees and disbursements of counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities required to be paid by the Issuer pursuant to Section 6.

 

Short-Form Registrations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

 

Violations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)(iv).

 

2. DEMAND REGISTRATION.

 

(a) At any time after the date that is one-hundred and twenty (120) days after the date of this Agreement, holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding and held by Note Holders or their assignees pursuant to Section 15 (“ Note Holder Parties ”) may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of their Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any successor form thereto (each a “ Long-Form Registration ”). Each request for a Long-Form Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities required to be registered. Upon receipt of such request, the Issuer shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following receipt thereof) deliver notice of such request to all other holders of Registrable Securities who shall then have five (5) Business Days from the date such notice is given to notify the Issuer in writing of their desire to be included in such registration. Each holder of Registrable Securities who is a Note Holder Party agrees that the fact that such a notice has been delivered shall constitute confidential information. The Issuer shall cause a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) to be filed within seventy-five (75) days after the date on which the initial request is given and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

(b) The Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to be and remain qualified to register securities under the Securities Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or any successor form thereto. At any time when the Issuer is qualified for the use of a Registration Statement on Form S-3, the holders of Registrable Securities who are Note Holder Parties shall have the right to request registrations of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration (each a “ Short-Form Registration ” and, together with each Long-Form Registration, a “ Demand Registration ”). Each request for a Short-Form Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered. Upon receipt of any such request, the Issuer shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following receipt thereof) deliver notice of such request to all other holders of Registrable Securities who shall then have five (5) Business Days from the date such notice is given to notify the Issuer in writing of their desire to be included in such registration. The Issuer shall cause a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form) to be filed within forty-five (45) days after the date on which the initial request is given and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter. The Issuer shall not be required to effect a Long-Form Registration or a Short Form Registration more than five times in the aggregate for the holders of Registrable Securities held by the Note Holder Parties as a group; provided, that a Registration Statement shall not count as a Long-Form Registration requested under Section 2(a) or as a Short-Form Registration under this Section 2(b) unless and until it has become effective and the holders requesting such registration are able to register and sell at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration.

 

  3  
   

 

(c) The Issuer shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within a hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration or a previous Piggyback Registration in which holders of Registrable Securities were permitted to register, and actually sold, all of the shares of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein. The Issuer may postpone for up to twenty (20) Business Days the filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement for a Demand Registration if the Issuer’s Board of Directors determines in its reasonable good faith judgment that such Demand Registration would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate organization or other similar transaction involving the Issuer; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Issuer unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act; provided, that in such event the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initiating such Demand Registration shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration shall not count as one of the permitted Demand Registrations hereunder and the Issuer shall pay all registration expenses in connection with such registration. The Issuer may delay a Demand Registration hereunder only twice in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months.

 

(d) If the holders of the Registrable Securities initially requesting a Demand Registration elect to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request in an underwritten offering, they shall so advise the Issuer as a part of their request made pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), and the Issuer shall include such information in its notice to the other holders of Registrable Securities. The holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting the Demand Registration shall select the investment banking firm or firms to act as the managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such offering; provided, that such selection shall be subject to the consent of the Issuer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

(e) The Issuer shall not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If a Demand Registration involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter of the requested Demand Registration advises the Issuer and the holders of Registrable Securities in writing that in its opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in the Demand Registration, including all Registrable Securities and all other shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such underwritten offering and/or the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration would adversely affect the price per share of the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such underwritten offering, the Issuer shall include in such Demand Registration (i) first, the number of shares of Common Stock that the holders of Registrable Securities who are Note Holder Parties propose to sell, (ii) second, the number of shares of Common Stock that the other holders of Registrable Securities propose to sell and (iii) third, the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included therein by any other Persons (including shares of Common Stock to be sold for the account of the Issuer and/or other holders of Common Stock) allocated among such Persons in such manner as they may agree. If the managing underwriter determines that less than all of the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold can be included in such offering, then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder.

 

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3. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION

 

(a) Whenever the Issuer proposes to register any shares of its Common Stock under the Securities Act (other than a registration effected solely to implement an employee benefit plan or a transaction to which Rule 145 of the Securities Act is applicable, or a Registration Statement on Form S-4, S-8 or any successor form thereto or another form not available for registering the Registrable Securities for sale to the public), whether for its own account or for the account of one or more stockholders of the Issuer and the form of Registration Statement to be used may be used for any registration of Registrable Securities (a “ Piggyback Registration ”), the Issuer shall give prompt written notice (in any event no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing of such Registration Statement) to the holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and, subject to Section 3(b) and Section 3(c), shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Issuer has received written requests for inclusion from the holders of Registrable Securities within five (5) Business Days after the Issuer’s notice has been given to each such holder. Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees that the fact that such a notice has been delivered shall constitute confidential information. A Piggyback Registration shall not be considered a Demand Registration for purposes of Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(b) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Issuer and the managing underwriter advises the Issuer and the holders of Registrable Securities (if any holders of Registrable Securities have elected to include Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration) in writing that in its opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration, including all Registrable Securities and all other shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering and/or that the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in any such registration would adversely affect the price per share of the Common Stock to be sold in such offering, the Issuer shall include in such registration (i) first, the number of shares of Common Stock that the Issuer proposes to sell; (ii) second, the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by holders of Registrable Securities, allocated pro rata among all such holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder or in such manner as they may otherwise agree; and (iii) third, the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by holders of Common Stock (other than holders of Registrable Securities), allocated among such holders in such manner as they may agree; provided, that in any event the holders of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to register at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the securities to be included in any such registration.

 

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(c) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as an underwritten offering on behalf of a holder of Common Stock other than Registrable Securities, and the managing underwriter advises the Issuer in writing that in its opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration, including all Registrable Securities and all other shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such underwritten offering, exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock which can be sold in such offering and/or that the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in any such registration would adversely affect the price per share of the Common Stock to be sold in such offering, the Issuer shall include in such registration (i) first, the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by the holder(s) requesting such registration and by the holders of Registrable Securities, allocated pro rata among such holders on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock (on a fully diluted, as converted basis) and the number of Registrable Securities, as applicable, owned by all such holders or in such manner as they may otherwise agree; and (ii) second, the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by other holders of Common Stock, allocated among such holders in such manner as they may agree.

 

(d) If any Piggyback Registration is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Issuer, the Issuer shall select the investment banking firm or firms to act as the managing underwriter or underwriters in connection with such offering.

 

4. REGISTR.ATION PROCEDURES

 

If and whenever the holders of Registrable Securities request that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Issuer shall as soon as practicable:

 

(a) subject to Sections 2(a) and 2(b), prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective;

 

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective until all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended methods of disposition set forth in such Registration Statement;

 

(c) at least five (5) Business Days before filing such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto, furnish to one counsel selected by holders of a majority of such Registrable Securities copies of such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review, comment and approval of such counsel;

 

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(d) notify each selling holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after the Issuer 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) furnish to each selling holder of Registrable Securities such number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and any supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits and documents incorporated by reference therein) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

 

(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or “blue sky” Laws of such jurisdictions as any selling holder requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be necessary or advisable to enable such holders to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders; provided, that the Issuer shall not be required to qualify generally to do business, subject itself to general taxation or consent to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for this Section 4(f);

 

(g) notify each selling holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such holder, the Issuer shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

(h) make available for inspection by any selling holder of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such holder or underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Issuer, and cause the Issuer’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement;

 

(i) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed and to maintain the trading of the Common Stock on the over-the-counter market on which such Common Stock is then traded, and shall not take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the removal or suspension of the Common Stock from trading on such securities exchange or over-the-counter market;

 

(j) in connection with an underwritten offering, enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting and lock-up agreements in customary form) and take all such other customary actions as the holders of such Registrable Securities or the managing underwriter of such offering reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, making appropriate officers of the Issuer available to participate in “road show” and other customary marketing activities (including one-on-one meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities);

 

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(k) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its stockholders an earnings statement (in a form that satisfies the provisions of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first day of the Issuer’s first full fiscal quarter after the effective date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall cover said 12-month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Issuer timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

(l) furnish to each selling holder of Registrable Securities and each underwriter, if any, with (i) a legal opinion of the Issuer’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such Registration Statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), in form and substance as is customarily given in opinions of the Issuer’s counsel to underwriters in underwritten public offerings; and (ii) a “comfort” letter signed by the Issuer’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given in accountants’ letters to underwriters in underwritten public offerings;

 

(m) without limiting Section 4(f) above, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Issuer to enable the holders of such Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;

 

(n) notify the holders of Registrable Securities promptly of any request by the SEC for the amending or supplementing of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;

 

(o) advise the holders of Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal at the earliest possible moment if such stop order should be issued;

 

(p) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Issuer, to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and to require the insertion therein of language, furnished to the Issuer in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included;

 

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(q) in the case of any shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act to enable resales from time to time of Registrable Securities, deliver to the Company’s transfer agent within two (2) Business Days after such Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC written notice that such Registration Statement has been declared effective and may be used for resales of Registrable Securities; and

 

(r) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

5. GRACE PERIODS AND LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the effective date of a Registration Statement, the Issuer may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information if the Issuer’s Board of Directors determines in its reasonable good faith judgment that such disclosure would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate organization or other similar transaction involving the Issuer; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Issuer unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act (a “ Grace Period ”); provided, that the Company shall promptly (1) notify the Investors in writing in accordance with Section 4(g) of such Grace Period and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (2) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and, provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed twenty (20) consecutive Business Days and during any twelve month period such Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of forty (40) Business Days and the first day of any Grace Period must be at least five (5) Business Days after the last day of any prior Grace Period (each, an “ Allowable Grace Period ”). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (1) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (2) and the date referred to in such notice. The amendment and prospectus supplement provisions of Section 4(g) shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period.

 

(b) If on any day after the effective date of a Registration Statement, sales of all of the Registrable Securities included on such Registration Statement cannot be made (other than during an Allowable Grace Period) pursuant to such Registration Statement or otherwise (including, without limitation, because of the suspension of trading of the Common Stock on the securities exchange or the over-the-counter market on which such Common Stock is then traded, a failure to keep such Registration Statement effective, a failure to disclose such information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to such Registration Statement or the Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason or the prospectus contained therein is not available for use for any reason), or the Issuer fails to file with the SEC any required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act such that it is not in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) as a result of which any of the Investors are unable to sell Registrable Securities without restriction under Rule 144 (including, without limitation, volume restrictions) then, as partial relief for the damages to any holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance or any additional obligation of to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement) (any such event, a “ Failure ”), the Issuer shall pay to each holder of Registrable Securities relating to such Registration Statement, a cash amount equal to, or, at such holder’s election if offered by the Company, warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Issuer with a Black-Scholes value of no less than, one percent (1%) of the market value (based upon the most recent closing price of the Common Stock on the securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which such Common Stock has been traded) of such Investor’s Registrable Securities, on the thirtieth day after the date of a Failure and every thirtieth day thereafter (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty (30) days) until such Failure is cured. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) such payments shall cease to accrue when all of the Registrable Securities may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any restrictions or limitations, and (ii) in no event shall the aggregate amount of all such payments paid to an Investor exceed an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of such Investor’s original purchase price for the Registrable Securities.

 

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6. EXPENSES

 

All expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred by the Issuer in complying with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and in connection with the registration and disposition of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, underwriting expenses (other than fees, commissions or discounts), expenses of any audits incident to or required by any such registration, fees and expenses of complying with securities and “blue sky” Laws, printing expenses, fees and expenses of the Issuer’s counsel and accountants and fees and expenses of one counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities participating in such registration as a group (selected by, in the case of a registration under Section 2(a), the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration, and, in the case of all other registrations hereunder, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the registration), shall be paid by the Issuer. All Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne and paid by the holders of such Registrable Securities, in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities registered for each such holder.

 

7. INDEMNIFICATION

 

In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Issuer will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Note Holder or other holder of Registrable Securities or transferee thereof in accordance with Section 15 (the “ Investor ”), the directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “ Claims ”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“ Indemnified Damages ”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

 

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(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“ Blue Sky Filing ”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Issuer files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading;

 

(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Issuer of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement; or

 

(iv) any violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, “ Violations ”).

 

Subject to Section 7(c), the Issuer shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 7(a): (1) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Issuer by such Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Issuer; and (2) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Issuer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by an Investor pursuant to Section 15.

 

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(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 7(a), the Issuer, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuer by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 7(c), such Investor shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7(f) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 7(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by an Investor pursuant to Section 15.

 

(c) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 7, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for all such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, as applicable, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. 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 Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 7, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

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(d) The indemnification required by this Section 7 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

 

(e) The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

 

(f) To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under this Section 7 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(f), no Investor shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Investor from the applicable sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Claim exceeds the amount of any damages that such Investor has otherwise been required to pay, or would otherwise be required to pay under Section 7(b), by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

8. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS

 

No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person, (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided , that no holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Issuer or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding such holder, such holder’s ownership of its shares of Common Stock to be sold in the offering and such holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Issuer or the underwriters with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.

 

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9. RULE 144 COMPLIANCE

 

With a view to making available to the holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a holder to sell securities of the Issuer to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form), the Issuer shall:

 

(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at all times after the Registration Date;

 

(b) use reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Issuer under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, at any time after the Issuer has become subject to such reporting requirements; and

 

(c) furnish to any holder so long as the holder owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Issuer as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Issuer, and such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by the Issuer as such holder may reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration.

 

10. PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS

 

The Issuer shall not (a) grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted hereunder, or (b) enter into any agreement, take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities that violates or subordinates the rights expressly granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

 

11. TERMINATION

 

This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect when there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, that the provisions of Section 6 and Section 7 shall survive any such termination.

 

12. REMEDIES

 

Each holder of Registrable Securities, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by Law, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuer acknowledges that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and the Issuer hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at Law would be adequate.

 

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13. NOTICES, SEVERABILITY, HEADINGS AND COUNTERPARTS

 

The provisions of Sections 9.5, 9.8, 9.9 and 9.21 of the Notes Agreement shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis .

 

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement, together with the Note Agreement, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.

 

15. SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns (including to any Note Holder). The Note Purchaser may assign its rights hereunder to any purchaser or transferee of Notes or Registrable Securities; provided, that such purchaser or transferee shall, as a condition to the effectiveness of such assignment, be required to execute a counterpart to this Agreement agreeing to be treated as an Note Purchaser whereupon such purchaser or transferee shall have the benefits of, and shall be subject to the restrictions contained in, this Agreement as if such purchaser or transferee was originally included in the definition of Note Purchaser herein and had originally been a party hereto.

 

16. NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES

 

This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns (including any Note Holders) and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

17. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may only be amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the prior written consent of the Issuer and the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Registrable Securities. No waiver by any Party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

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18. APPLICABLE LAW

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

19. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST THE ISSUER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (OR ANY STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE EVENT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION). BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ISSUER FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY:

 

(i) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

 

(ii) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

 

(iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE ISSUER, AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13;

 

(iv) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE ISSUER IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

 

(v) AGREES THAT THE NOTE PURCHASER RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ISSUER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

 

(vi) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 19 RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.

 

20. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR 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 transaction, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims. The Parties each acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for the Parties to enter into a business relationship that the Parties have already relied on the waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely on the waiver in their related future dealings. The Parties further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each 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, AND THE 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.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  16  
   

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be executed by its respective duly authorized officers as of the date first written above.

 

  THE ISSUER:
     
  ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  a Nevada corporation
     
  By: /s/ Jon Christopher Boswell
  Name: Jon Christopher Boswell
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ESES – Registration Rights Agreement

 

     
   

 

  THE NOTE PURCHASER:
   
  FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By:

/s/ Brian Meyer

  Name: Brian Meyer
  Title: Authorized Person

 

ESES – Registration Rights Agreement

 

     
   

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CONVERTIBLE NOTE FACILITY AGREEMENT
 
DATED AS OF MARCH 3, 2017
 
BY AND BETWEEN
 
ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC., as the Issuer
 
AND
 
FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC, as the Note Purchaser

 

     
   

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS 1
1.1 Certain Defined Terms 1
1.2 Accounting Terms 23
1.3 Other Definitional Provisions 23
SECTION 2. THE NOTES, CLOSING AND DELIVERY 23
2.1 The Notes and Closing 23
2.2 Advances 24
2.3 Use of Proceeds 25
SECTION 3. THE NOTES – MATURITY, INTEREST AND PAYMENTS 25
3.1 Maturity and Principal Payments 25
3.2 Interest 25
3.3 Principal Payments and Prepayments 26
3.4 Application of Payments 28
3.5 General Provisions Regarding Payment 28
3.6 Taxes 28
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND THE FINAL ADVANCE 31
4.1 Conditions to the Purchase of the Additional Notes and the Final Advance 31
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER 36
5.1 Ownership and Organization 36
5.2 Authorization of Issuance 38
5.3 Contingent Liabilities, Long Term Commitments 43
5.4 No Changes 43
5.5 Title to Properties and Assets, Liens 43
5.6 Litigation and Compliance with Law 44
5.7 Taxes 44
5.8 Business Agreements and Performance of Contractual Obligations 44
5.9 Regulation 45
5.10 ERISA 45
5.11 Authorizations 46
5.12 Environmental Protection 46
5.13 Labor Matters 48
5.14 Financial Advisers, Finders and Brokers 48
5.15 Solvency 48

 

     
   

 

5.16 Compliance with Anti-Corruption, Money Laundering and Import Laws; Export Controls and Economic Sanctions 48
5.17 Full Disclosure 50
5.18 Insurance 50
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER 50
6.1 Financial Statements, Notices and Other Reports 50
6.2 Corporate and Partnership Existence 54
6.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims 54
6.4 Maintenance of Properties, Insurance 55
6.5 Compliance with Applicable Laws and Authorizations 55
6.6 Inspection 55
6.7 Security Interest, Filings and Reportings 56
6.8 Books and Records 57
6.9 Material Agreements 57
6.10 Environmental Disclosure and Investigation 57
6.11 Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous Materials 58
6.12 Casualty or Condemnation Event 59
6.13 [Reserved] 59
6.14 Right of First Offer 59
6.15 Required Consents 60
6.16 Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information 61
6.17 Reservation of Shares 62
6.18 Subsidiary Guarantee 62
6.19 [Reserved] 62
6.20 Budget and Use of Proceeds 62
6.21 Post-Closing Requirements. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to: 64
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER 64
7.1 Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations 64
7.2 Prohibition on Liens and Related Matters 64
7.3 Investments and Joint Ventures 65
7.4 Restriction on Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales 65
7.5 Restrictions on Issuances or Transfers of Securities 66
7.6 Transactions with Affiliates 66
7.7 Restrictions on Conduct of Business 67

 

     
   

 

7.8 Restrictions on Prepayment or Refinancing of Indebtedness 6 7
7.9 Restricted Payments 67
7.10 Fiscal Year 68
7.11 ERISA 68
7.12 Accountant 68
7.13 Minimum EBITDA 68
7.14 Cash 68
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT 69
8.1 Events of Default 69
8.2 Remedies 72
SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS 73
9.1 Registration and Transfer of the Notes 73
9.2 Costs and Expenses 75
9.3 Indemnity 76
9.4 Amendments and Waivers 77
9.5 Notices 77
9.6 Survival of Warranties and Certain Agreements 78
9.7 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver, Remedies Cumulative 78
9.8 Severability 78
9.9 Headings 78
9.10 Independence of Covenants 78
9.11 Applicable Law 79
9.12 Successors and Assigns, Subsequent Holders of the Notes 79
9.13 Marshaling, Payments Set Aside 79
9.14 Set-Off 79
9.15 Ratable Sharing 80
9.16 Classification of Transaction 81
9.17 Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process 81
9.18 Waiver of Jury Trial 82
9.19 Exculpation 82
9.20 This Agreement Controls 82
9.21 Counterparts, Effectiveness 82
9.22 Representations of the Note Purchaser 82
9.23 Confidentiality 86
9.24 Reinstatement 87
9.25 Coordination Among the Note Holders 88

 

     
   

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 2.3A Use of Proceeds
Schedule 5.1A Ownership
Schedule 5.2B Consents
Schedule 5.2C Government Consents
Schedule 5.2L Transactions With Affiliates
Schedule 5.2R Other Covered Persons
Schedule 5.3 Contingent Obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina
Schedule 5.6 Litigation
Schedule 5.7 Taxes
Schedule 5.12 Environmental Non-Compliance

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A-1 Form of Initial Note
Exhibit A-2 Form of Additional Note
Exhibit B Advance Notice
Exhibit C U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E Anti-Corruption Certification

 

     
   

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CONVERTIBLE NOTE FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement is dated as of March 3, 2017 by and between ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. , a Nevada corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Note Purchaser ”). The Note Purchaser and any other registered holder of Notes hereunder is referred to as a “ Note Holder ” and collectively, as “ Note Holders .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer entered into that certain Convertible Note Facility Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2014 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Convertible Note Facility Agreement and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified by the Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement (as defined below), the “ Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement ”), with ACM Emerging Markets Master Fund I, L.P. (“ ACM ”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017 (the “ Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement ”), by and among the Note Purchaser, ACM and the Subject Companies, (x) the Note Purchaser purchased from ACM, among other things, $22.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 14% Convertible Notes due 2018 issued and outstanding under the Original Convertible Note Facility (the “ Initial Notes ”) and all other Transferred Note Rights (as defined in the Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement) and (y) the Note Purchaser became the sole “Note Purchaser” and sole “Note Holder” under, and as defined in, the Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Note Purchaser desire to amend and restate the Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, and conditions set forth below, the Parties intending to be legally bound, hereby agree that the Original Convertible Note Facility is hereby amended and restated as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Certain Defined Terms

 

The following terms used in this Agreement (including in the Recitals) shall have the following meanings:

 

8-K Filing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.16.

 

Acceptable Insurance Carriers ” means financially sound and reputable insurance companies authorized and licensed to do business in each jurisdiction where the Subject Companies conduct business or any other Collateral is located with a minimum “A” rating from A.M. Best or an equivalent rating from any other comparable insurance ratings bureaus, or other insurance companies of recognized responsibility satisfactory to the Note Holders.

 

  - 1 -  
 

 

Accountant ” means, with respect to the Issuer, Whitley Penn LLP, or such other nationally recognized public accounting firm as the Note Holders may approve in writing prior to the engagement of such accounting firm, and with respect to any other Subject Company, a regionally recognized and reputable accounting firm as the Note Holders may approve in writing prior to the engagement of such accounting firm.

 

ACM ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

Additional Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1A(ii).

 

Additional Transaction Documents ” means any documents or agreements relating to the transactions contemplated hereby entered into by any Transaction Document Party with the Note Holders or for the expressed benefit of the Note Holders as a third party beneficiary after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that Person and, if such Person is an individual, any member of the immediate family (including parents, spouse, children and siblings) of such individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such individual or one or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is controlled by any such member or trust. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no individual shall be deemed an Affiliate of a Person solely by reason of his or her being a director, committee member, officer or employee of such Person and (ii) the Note Holders shall not be deemed Affiliates of the Subject Companies.

 

Aggregate Amounts Due ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.15A.

 

Agreement ” means this Convertible Note Facility Agreement, including all attached Schedules and Exhibits.

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws ” means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Issuer to be entered into pursuant to Section 4.1T, in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into pursuant to Section 4.1V, in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement to be entered into pursuant to Section 4.1W, in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

  - 2 -  
 

 

Amended and Restated U.S. Security Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Security and Guaranty Agreement to be entered into pursuant to Section 4.1A(vi), in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

Amended and Restated Viking Intercompany Note ” means the Amended and Restated Viking Intercompany Note to be entered into pursuant to Section 4.1X, in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

Amendment and Restatement Closing Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1B.

 

Approved Budget ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.20A.

 

Argentina ” means the Argentine Republic.

 

Argentina Security Agreement ” means the registered pledge of assets entered into by Viking Rock for the benefit of the Original Note Purchaser, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, modified or replaced as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or thereafter from time to time.

 

Argentina Share Pledge ” means the Share Pledge Agreement entered into as of the Original Closing Date by the Issuer, for the benefit of the Original Note Purchaser, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, modified or replaced as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date of thereafter from time to time.

 

Authorizations ” means all permits, licenses, orders, approvals, consents, exemptions, rulings, decrees, tariffs, filings, certifications, franchises, building permits, plot plan approvals, subdivision approvals, site plan reviews, environmental approvals (including an environmental impact statement or other reviews or environmental assessment report required under Environmental Laws), sewer and waste discharge permits, national pollutant discharge elimination system permits, water permits, zoning and land use entitlement, drilling permits and other authorizations, whether now existing or hereafter issued to, or obtained by, any Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company that, (i) relate to or concern in any way to the business of any of the Subject Companies, any of the transactions contemplated hereby or by any Transaction Document, or the exercise by any Note Holder of its rights under the Security Documents, and (ii) are given or issued by any Governmental Authority.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

Base Interest ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2A.

 

Benefit Plan Investors ” include (a) any employee benefit plan (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA), that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) any plan to which Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code applies, including, without limitation, individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans, and (c) any entity, the underlying assets of which include plan assets of a plan described in (a) or (b) above by reason of a plan’s investment in the entity, including without limitation for this purpose, the general account of an insurance company, any of the underlying assets of which constitute “plan assets” under Section 401(c) of ERISA, or a wholly owned subsidiary thereof.

 

  - 3 -  
 

 

Bienville ” means Bienville Argentina Opportunities Master Fund, L.P.

 

Board of Directors” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of such Person, and (iv) in the case of any other type of Person, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

 

Business Agreement ” means each indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement, lease, easement or other instrument to which any Subject Company is or becomes a party or by which any Subject Company, any Subject Company Property or Subject Company’s Securities are or become bound or to which any Subject Company, any Subject Company Property or Subject Company’s Securities are or become subject.

 

Business Day ” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the Laws of the State of New York or which is a day on which banking institutions located in any such jurisdiction are authorized or required by Law or other action by any Governmental Authority to close.

 

Casualty Event ” means any event that causes any Subject Company Property, or any portion thereof, to be damaged, destroyed or rendered unfit for normal use for any reason whatsoever.

 

Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds ” means all amounts and proceeds of any kind (including instruments) received in respect of any Casualty Event or Condemnation Event.

 

Change of Control ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3C.

 

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1B.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Collateral ” means, collectively, the “Collateral” as defined in the Amended and Restated U.S. Security Agreement, “Security Assets” as defined in each of the Viking Security Agreements and the Viking Share Pledges, “Pledged Shares” as defined in the Argentina Share Pledge and any other collateral as defined in or in which a security interest is granted or purported to be granted to any Person for the benefit of the Note Holders under any Security Document.

 

Commitment ” means $17.0 million.

 

Common Stock ” means the Issuer’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 

  - 4 -  
 

 

Condemnation Event ” means any taking, exercise of rights of eminent domain, public improvement, inverse condemnation, condemnation or similar action of, or proceeding by, any Governmental Authority relating to any Subject Company Property.

 

Contingent Obligation, ” as applied to any Person, means any direct or indirect obligation or other liability, contingent or otherwise (an “obligation”) of that Person:

 

(i) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary purpose or intent thereof by the Person incurring such obligation is to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof; or

 

(ii) with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings.

 

Contingent Obligations shall include:

 

(a) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another;

 

(b) the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of non-performance by any other parties to an agreement; and

 

(c) any obligation of such Person for the obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) to: (1) purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise); or (2) maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under this clause (c), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in the preceding sentence.

 

The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if less, the amount to which such Contingent Obligation is expressly limited under the terms of the documentation establishing such Contingent Obligation.

 

Default Interest Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2B.

 

Disqualification Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2Q.

 

Dollars ” or “ $ ” means dollars in the legal tender of the United States.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Issuer.

 

EBITDA ” means, for any period the sum of:

 

  - 5 -  
 

 

(i) (a) net income (or loss) of the Issuer for such period (excluding extraordinary gains), plus (b) all interest expense of the Issuer for such period, plus (c) all charges against income of the Issuer for such period for federal, state and local taxes actually paid, each consolidated in accordance with GAAP of the accounts or other items of the Issuer;

 

(ii) depreciation expenses for such period; plus

 

(iii) amortization expenses for such period; plus

 

(iv) other expenses reducing net income of the Issuer which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period; less

 

(v) gains increasing net income of the Issuer which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period;

 

in each case, calculated for such period in accordance with GAAP.

 

Eco-Stim Argentina ” means EcoStim Energy Solutions Argentina S.A., a sociedad anónima incorporated under the laws of Argentina.

 

EcoStim Texas ” means EcoStim, Inc., a Texas corporation.

 

Employee Benefit Plan ” means any “employee benefit plan”, including but not limited to “employee benefit plans” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, any defined compensation, equity or equity based inactive plans which is or was established, maintained, sponsored or contributed to, or is or was required to be established, maintained, sponsored or contributed to, by any Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which any Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates may have any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

Environmental Claim ” means any investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, demand, abatement order or other order or direction (conditional or otherwise) by any Governmental Authority or any Person for any damage, including personal injury (including death), property damage, contribution, indemnity, indirect or consequential damages, damage to the environment or natural resources, nuisance, pollution, contamination or other adverse effects on the environment, or for fines, penalties or operating restrictions, in each case relating to, resulting from or in connection with Hazardous Materials or the violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law and relating to any Subject Company or any Subject Company Property.

 

Environmental Laws ” means all applicable current or future federal, state, regional, municipal and local laws contained in any statutes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, judgments, approvals, permits and drilling permits, as interpreted by the relevant Governmental Authorities, whether of the United States, Argentina or any other nation or jurisdiction, relating to:

 

(i) environmental matters, including those relating to fines, injunctions, penalties, damages, monetary contribution, cost recovery compensation, losses or injuries resulting from a Release or threatened Release;

 

  - 6 -  
 

 

(ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials; or

 

(iii) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable to any Subject Company or any properties of any of the foregoing, including the following laws of Argentina: Law 25,675 (General Environmental Law), Law 24,501 (Hazardous Waste Law), and general regulations and minimum standards specifically applicable to hydrocarbon activities issued by the Argentine National Secretariat of Energy while exercising the powers delegated by law to that effect (including Resolutions 105/92, 25/04, 341/93, 342/93, 143/98, 5/96 and 318/10), as well as all regulations promulgated thereunder, and any analogous future or present local, state or federal statutes and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, each as in effect as of the date of determination.

 

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, any of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, subscription or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination, in each such case including all voting rights and economic rights related thereto.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” as applied to any Person means:

 

(i) corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;

 

(ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and

 

(iii) any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii) above is a member.

 

Any former ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which any Subject Company could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

 

  - 7 -  
 

 

ERISA Event ” means:

 

(i) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for thirty (30) days’ notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation);

 

(ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure by a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan;

 

(iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA;

 

(iv) the withdrawal by a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability pursuant to Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA;

 

(v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan;

 

(vi) the imposition of liability on a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Sections 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA;

 

(vii) the withdrawal of a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Sections 4041A or 4042 of ERISA;

 

(viii) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, Taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code other than Sections 4977, 4979, 4980B or 4980D or under Sections 409, 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan;

 

(ix) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan or the assets thereof, or against a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan;

 

(x) receipt from the IRS of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any such Employee Benefit Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

 

  - 8 -  
 

 

(xi) the imposition of a Lien against any Subject Company, any of its ERISA Affiliates or any of their respective assets pursuant to Sections 412 or 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

Event of Default ” means each of the events set forth in Section 8.1.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Note Holder or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Note Holder:

 

(i) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated, and including branch profits Taxes) or franchise Taxes, in each case, (a) imposed as a result of such Note Holder being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof), or (b) that are Other Connection Taxes;

 

(ii) United States federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Foreign Note Holder with respect to an applicable interest in any loan hereunder pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (a) such Note Holder acquires such interest in the loan or (b) such Note Holder changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.6, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Note Holder’s assignor immediately before such Note Holder became a party hereto or to such Note Holder immediately before it changed its lending office;

 

(iii) Taxes attributable to such Note Holder’s failure to comply with Section 3.6E; and

 

(iv) any United States federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue 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) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into by the United States and a foreign jurisdiction to implement the information reporting requirements imposed by such Sections of the Code, and any local law rules, regulations and other guidance issued in connection to such intergovernmental agreement.

 

Final Advance ” means the advance of funds made under the Additional Notes on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Fir Tree Partners ” means Fir Tree Inc. and its Affiliates and managed funds (including the Note Purchaser).

 

  - 9 -  
 

 

Fiscal Quarter ” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Year ” means each twelve-month period ending on December 31st of each calendar year.

 

Foreign Note Holder ” means a Note Holder that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary that is not a U.S. person.

 

FSHCO ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia substantially all of whose assets consist of Equity Interests and/or indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are “controlled foreign corporations” (within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

Full Note Conversion ” means the conversion of all outstanding Notes and all interest thereon that has come due and payable into Shares in accordance with the terms of the Notes.

 

Funding Date ” means the date upon which the Final Advance is made.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any court, agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, regulatory or administrative body (including the SEC and Nasdaq), office or instrumentality of any nature whatsoever of any governmental or quasi-governmental unit, whether federal, state, parish, county, district, municipality, city, political subdivision or otherwise, domestic or foreign, or any other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means:

 

(i) any chemical, material or substance at any time defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous wastes”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances” or any other formulations intended to define, list or classify substances as hazardous under any applicable Environmental Laws;

 

(ii) any oil, petroleum, petroleum fraction or petroleum derived substance;

 

(iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal resources;

 

  - 10 -  
 

 

(iv) any flammable substances or explosives;

 

(v) any radioactive materials;

 

(vi) asbestos in any form;

 

(vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation;

 

(viii) electrical equipment which contains any dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls;

 

(ix) pesticides; and

 

(x) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or under any Environmental Law.

 

IMPACT Lease ” means that certain Coiled Tubing Asset Package Lease Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2013, between the Issuer and IMPACT ENGINEERING, AS, a Norwegian Corporation.

 

Incumbent Board has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change of Control”.

 

Indebtedness ” means, as applied to any Person, without duplication:

 

(i) all obligations for borrowed money (and any notes payable, drafts accepted, letters of credit or similar instruments representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money) whether for principal, interest, fees or otherwise;

 

(ii) any obligation owed in respect of the deferred purchase price of property (or the cost of construction thereon or improvements thereto) or services (excluding any obligations to suppliers of goods or services, contractors, materialmen, repairmen and the like which are unsecured, are incurred in the ordinary course of business on normal trade terms, are not evidenced by a note or similar instrument, are due in full no later than forty-five (45) days after the date incurred and are paid when due in accordance with such terms);

 

(iii) any unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA);

 

(iv) any obligation secured by a Lien in respect of property owned or held by such Person, regardless of whether such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation;

 

(v) any obligation of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale agreement or other title retention agreement; and

 

(vi) that portion of the obligations of such Person with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that is accounted for as a capital lease that is properly classified as a liability on the balance sheet in accordance with GAAP as applied to such Person.

 

  - 11 -  
 

 

Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3B.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means (i) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Subject Company under any Transaction Document and (ii) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (i), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3A.

 

Initial Budget ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1J.

 

Initial Notes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto. The Initial Notes shall be represented by an amended and restated convertible secured promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means February 15 and August 15 of each Fiscal Year, commencing with August 15, 2017.

 

Internal Revenue Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

 

Issuer ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Issuer Covered Persons ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2Q.

 

Law ” means any applicable common law and any constitutional provision, statute or other law, rule, treaties, regulation, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations, code, order, ordinance or interpretation of any of the foregoing by any Governmental Authority, whether foreign or domestic, including any Environmental Law, and any orders or decrees of any court or arbitrator.

 

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement granting any security interest).

 

Liquidity ” means the sum of (a) all cash amounts on deposit in deposit accounts of (x) each of the U.S. Subject Companies and (y) each of the other Subject Companies and (b) all pending deposits that are reasonably expected to be credited to such deposit accounts within one (1) week minus the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of outstanding un-cashed checks that are to be drawn on such deposit accounts and (y) un-cashed checks with respect to payroll payments that are to be drawn on such deposit accounts which have been outstanding for more than one (1) week.

 

  - 12 -  
 

 

Liquidity Report ” means a statement, prepared by the chief financial officer of the Issuer in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser and delivered by the Subject Companies in accordance with Section 6.20C, which statement shall (a) provide sufficient information to calculate each component of the definition of Liquidity and (b) set out the calculation of Liquidity taking into account any proceeds of the Additional Notes.

 

Make Whole Premium ” means (x) with respect to any prepayment of Notes by the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the receipt of all Required Consents, the present value of all Base Interest that would have accrued and been payable on such prepaid Notes from the date of such prepayment through and including the Maturity Date assuming such Notes remained outstanding until the Maturity Date, calculated using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such prepayment date and (y) with respect to any prepayment of Notes by the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time that any Notes remain outstanding after receipt of all Required Consents due to the occurrence of a Partial Note Conversion or a Note Conversion Suspension Event or a failure to satisfy any conditions to a Note Conversion that is set forth in the Notes, two-thirds (2/3) of the amount set forth in the preceding clause (x).

 

Margin Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) of the Subject Companies, taken as a whole;

 

(ii) a material impairment of the ability of any Transaction Document Party to perform, or any Note Holder to enforce, any of the Obligations;

 

(iii) a material adverse effect on the validity, enforceability or priority of the security interests granted to any Note Holder securing the Obligations; or

 

(iv) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Issuer to satisfy the requirements for conversion of the Notes into Common Stock.

 

Material Agreements ” means each Business Agreement, in each case, whether now existing or entered into after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, which could reasonably be expected to result in material liability on any Subject Company or the termination thereof could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maturity Date ” means May 28, 2018.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.

 

Nasdaq ” means the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Net Proceeds ” means:

 

  - 13 -  
 

 

(i) in connection with any asset sale, or any Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and cash equivalents (including any such proceeds actually received from deferred payments), net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, amounts required to be reserved for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations pursuant to the agreements governing such asset sale, amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien on any asset that is the subject of such asset sale or Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds (other than any Lien pursuant to a Security Document) and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith and net of Taxes paid (after taking into account any available Tax credits or deductions and any Tax sharing arrangements); and

 

(ii) in connection with any issuance or sale of Equity Interests or any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.

 

Norwegian Subject Companies ” means, collectively, Viking Rock and Viking Rock Holding.

 

Note Conversion ” means the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion, as applicable.

 

Note Conversion Date ” means the Business Day on which the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion occurs.

 

Note Conversion Rate ” has the meaning set forth in the Notes.

 

Note Conversion Suspension Event ” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the Common Stock ceasing to be quoted on Nasdaq (ii) the incurrence by any of the Subject Companies of liabilities in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate for all Subject Companies, unless such liabilities are incurred in connection with the purchase of equipment by the Subject Companies or the lease by the Subject Companies of facilities to be used to support the performance of customer contracts of the Subject Companies; (iii) any Event of Default; (iv) a Material Adverse Effect; or (v) the non-compliance by any Subject Company with any requirement of Law.

 

Note Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Note Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Notes ” means the Initial Notes and the Additional Notes.

 

Obligations ” means all obligations and other liabilities of every nature of the Issuer or any other Transaction Document Party now or hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, including all advances under the Notes, and all extensions or renewals thereof, whether for principal, interest (including interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to any Transaction Document Party, would accrue on such obligations or other liabilities), premium (including the Make Whole Premium), fees, costs, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or other liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from any Note Holder as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise.

 

  - 14 -  
 

 

Officer s Certificate ” means a certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Holders executed on behalf of a Transaction Document Party by its president, chief executive officer, vice president, chairman, management committee member, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, partner or manager.

 

Organizational Documents ” means:

 

(i) in the case of any corporation, the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of such corporation;

 

(ii) in the case of any partnership, the partnership agreement of such partnership and, if applicable, the certificate of formation;

 

(iii) in the case of a limited liability company, the regulations, operating agreement or limited liability company agreement and the certificate or articles of formation; or

 

(iv) in the case of any such Person described above in this definition, or any other form of entity, any similar constitutive documents of such Person.

 

Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

Original Note Purchaser ” means, collectively, the “Note Purchaser” and the “Note Holders” under the Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement.

 

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Note Holder, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Note Holder and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Note Holder 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 Transaction Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any loan made hereunder or Transaction Document).

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Transaction Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment of a Note.

 

  - 15 -  
 

 

Partial Note Conversion ” means the conversion of the Additional Notes and all interest thereon that has come due and payable into Shares in accordance with the terms of the Additional Notes.

 

Participant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1B(iii).

 

Parties ” means, collectively, the Issuer and the Note Holders.

 

Payment Instructions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5B.

 

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

 

Pension Plan ” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

 

Perfection Certificate ” means that certain Perfection Certificate, dated March 3, 2017, delivered by the subject companies.

 

Permitted Contest Procedures ” means a contest by any Person, pursued in good faith, challenging the enforceability, validity, interpretation, amount or application of any requirement of Law, Tax, assessment, fee, governmental charge or levy or any Lien or other claim, payment or matter (legal, contractual or other) by appropriate proceedings if:

 

(i) the Person contesting such claim diligently pursues such contest;

 

(ii) the Person contesting such claim sets aside adequate cash reserves with respect to the contested claim to the extent required by GAAP;

 

(iii) during the period of such contest the enforcement of any contested claim or requirement of Law or any Lien on any asset of a Subject Company imposed in connection therewith is effectively stayed;

 

(iv) such contest does not involve, (a) any material risk or danger of foreclosure, sale, forfeiture or loss of, or any material risk or material danger of the imposition of a Lien on, any of the Subject Company Properties or any material portion thereof; (b) any material risk or danger of the loss or impairment of any Lien granted under any of the Security Documents; (c) any material risk or danger of any impairment of the ownership of any of the Subject Company Properties or any material risk or material danger of any impairment of the use, operation or maintenance thereof in material respect; (d) any material risk or danger of any criminal or civil liability being incurred by any Note Holder (whether or not material); and (e) any material risk or material danger of resulting in any other Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(v) after the resolution of any such contest, such contested claim, together with any interest or penalties thereon, shall be paid in full.

 

  - 16 -  
 

 

Permitted Contingent Obligations ” means:

 

(i) Contingent Obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina, in respect of surety bonds, performance bonds, importation bonds or bid bonds, in each case as reasonably determined by the management of the Issuer as necessary for the conduct of Eco-Stim Argentina’s business and contemplated in the Approved Budget, in an aggregate amount not exceeding $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(ii) Contingent Obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina set forth on Schedule 5.3 and reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer provided to the Note Purchaser at the Closing; and

 

(iii) any retirement or similar obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina set forth on Schedule 5.3 and any retirement or similar obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina incurred before or after the Amended and Restatement Closing Date;

 

provided that the aggregate amount of Contingent Obligations of Eco-Stim Argentina (other than business closure costs that may be incurred in connection with a closure approved by the Board of Directors of Issuer) at any time outstanding under clauses (ii) and (iii) in this definition shall not exceed $500,000.

 

Permitted Indebtedness ” means:

 

(i) Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

 

(ii) Permitted Contingent Obligations to the extent incurred by a Person permitted to incur such obligation under the definition of such term;

 

(iii) [reserved];

 

(iv) Indebtedness incurred in connection with financing insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the IMPACT Lease prior to the date of this Agreement; and

 

(vi) unsecured Indebtedness of an amount not to exceed at any time an aggregate of 1,000,000 Argentine pesos.

 

Permitted Lien ” means any of the following types of Liens (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to ERISA, any Lien relating to or imposed in connection with any Environmental Claim, and any Lien expressly prohibited by any applicable term of any of the Security Documents):

 

(i) Liens created pursuant to any Transaction Document;

 

  - 17 -  
 

 

(ii) Liens for Taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or the payment of which is not required by Section 6.3 or the payment of which are being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures;

 

(iii) Liens, pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, leases, and performance bonds, and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money), so long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

 

(iv) judgment Liens that do not constitute an Event of Default, that have been bonded and that are being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures;

 

(v) statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of banks and rights of set-off, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, and other Liens imposed by applicable Law, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of sums not yet delinquent or sums which are being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures; and

 

(vi) easements or other matters affecting the real property of a Subject Company which do not constitute Liens securing any monetary obligations, do not materially detract from the value or marketability of such property and which individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Permitted Transferee ” means:

 

(i) any bank, insurance company, trust company or other institutional investor; or

 

(ii) any other Person that is:

 

(a) an assignee or transferee of all or any portion of the assets or investments of any Note Holder;

 

(b) the partners, members, beneficiaries or separate account participants of any Note Holder;

 

(c) any successor trustee, investment manager or investment advisor of any Note Holder;

 

(d) any Affiliate of any Note Holder (including any special purpose entity owned thereby);

 

(e) any investment or other fund with respect to which Fir Tree Partners is a manager or investment advisor or serves a similar function; or

 

(f) any limited partner or other investor in any such fund described in clause (e) or in any Note Holder, as a co-investor.

 

  - 18 -  
 

 

Person ” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, limited liability companies, sociedades anónimas, aksjeselskap, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

 

Potential Event of Default ” means a condition or event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice by the Issuer to the Note Holders of the Issuer’s desire to make a prepayment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Proceedings ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1B(xii).

 

Proxy Filing Date ” means the day on which the Issuer files with the SEC its FORM DEF 14A in respect of its 2017 annual meeting.

 

Proxy Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15.

 

Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto.

 

Regulation D Securities ” means Rule 506(b) under the Securities Act.

 

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.

 

Required Consents ” means all consents, authorizations and approvals (including shareholder approvals) of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, any Governmental Authority or other Person, or pursuant to any contract or agreement applicable to an Subject Company, that are required in connection with the Note Conversion.

 

Reporting Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7C.

 

Required Reserved Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.

 

Restoration ” means, in the case of any Casualty Event or Condemnation Event, the restoration, repair, replacement or rebuilding of the applicable damaged asset, including designing, engineering, constructing and completing such repair or restoration, or the applicable portion thereof subject to the Casualty Event or Condemnation Event, as nearly as practicable to its value, condition and character immediately prior to such Casualty Event or Condemnation Event, with such alterations and additions as may be made pursuant to and subject to the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents, together with any temporary repairs and property protection measures taken pending completion of the work.

 

  - 19 -  
 

 

Rule 144 ” means, collectively, Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

SEC Documents ” means all filings, reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Issuer with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (including all exhibits included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

Securities ” means any stocks, shares, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Security Agreements ” means, collectively, the Amended and Restated U.S. Security Agreement, the Viking Security Agreements, the Viking Share Pledges, the Argentina Share Pledge and the Argentina Security Agreement.

 

Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Security Agreements and any Additional Transaction Documents which (i) purport to grant a Lien to the Note Holders on any assets or property of such Transaction Document Party to secure payment or performance of the Obligations, or (ii) otherwise secure or purport to secure the payment or performance of the Obligations.

 

Shareholder Loan Agreement ” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 30, 2016, by and among the Borrower, Bienville and Travis K. Anderson.

 

Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock of the Issuer authorized to be issued by the Issuer to the Note Purchaser upon a Note Conversion pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and the Notes.

 

Similar Law ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.22M(i).

 

Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of determination, both:

 

(i) (a) the then fair saleable value of the property of such Person is (1) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent obligations) of such Person and (2) greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person’s then existing debts as they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person;

 

  - 20 -  
 

 

(b) such Person’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any contemplated or undertaken transaction; and

 

(c) such Person does not intend to incur, or believe or reasonably should believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and

 

(ii) such Person is solvent within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable Laws relating to fraudulent transfers.

 

Stockholders Meeting ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15.

 

Subject Companies ” means, collectively, the U.S. Subject Companies, the Norwegian Subject Companies and Eco-Stim Argentina, and each of the Issuer’s other direct and indirect Subsidiaries from time to time (if any).

 

Subject Company Properties ” means any and all facilities and other assets and real and personal property (including all buildings, fixtures or other improvements located on any real property) now, hereafter or heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by any Subject Company, including facilities and other assets and real and personal property located in Argentina or in the United States.

 

Subsidiary ” means, as applied to any Person:

 

(i) any corporation, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

 

(ii) any partnership or limited liability company of which: (a) more than fifty percent (50%) of the economic interests are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (b) which such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof controls (including any Person in which such Person or one or more other subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof own or control more than fifty percent (50%) of the general partner or managing member interests).

 

Tax Returns ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7.

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Transaction Document Parties ” means, collectively, as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the Subject Companies, and thereafter, any other Person subsequently designated as a Transaction Document Party by the Note Holders at the time such Person enters into an Additional Transaction Document. Transaction Document Parties shall not include the Note Holders or any of their Affiliates.

 

  - 21 -  
 

 

Transaction Documents ” means, as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, this Agreement, the Security Documents, the Perfection Certificate, the Notes and, thereafter, such Transaction Documents and any Additional Transaction Documents.

 

Transferee ” means any Person that is a transferee or assignee of, or that has been granted a participation in, the Notes, and any successor to such Person’s or any other Note Holder’s interest in the Notes.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, as of any prepayment date, the yield to maturity as of such prepayment date of Unites States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the prepayment date) most nearly equal to the period from the prepayment date to the Maturity Date; provided , however , that if the period from the prepayment date to the Maturity Date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

United States ” and “ U.S. ” means the United States of America.

 

Updated Budget ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.20B.

 

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

 

U.S. Subject Companies ” means, collectively, the Issuer and EcoStim Texas, and each of the Issuer’s other direct and indirect U.S. Subsidiaries from time to time (if any).

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6E(ii)(b)(3).

 

Viking Rock ” means Viking Rock AS, a private limited liability joint-stock company ( aksjeselskap ) incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway.

 

Viking Rock Holding ” means Viking Rock Holding AS, a private limited liability joint-stock company ( aksjeselskap ) incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway.

 

Viking Security Agreements ” means, collectively, the Norwegian law Security Agreements entered into as of the Original Closing Date by the Norwegian Subject Companies for the benefit of the Original Note Purchaser, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, modified or replaced as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or thereafter from time to time.

 

  - 22 -  
 

 

Viking Share Pledges ” means, collectively, the Share Pledge Agreements entered into as of the Original Closing Date by the Issuer, in respect of its shares in Viking Rock Holding and by Viking Rock Holding in respect of its shares in Viking Rock, for the benefit of the Original Note Purchaser, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, modified or replaced as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or thereafter from time to time.

 

1.2 Accounting Terms

 

For purposes of this Agreement, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP.

 

1.3 Other Definitional Provisions

 

References to “Exhibits,” “Sections”, “Recitals” and “clauses” shall be to Exhibits, Sections, Recitals and clauses, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. Each reference to an agreement shall mean and include all amendments, supplements to and other modifications to such agreement as, (i) are duly entered into by the parties thereto, and (ii) do not violate the terms hereof or constitute a default hereunder. No reference in this Section 1 to any agreement or instrument as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time shall be deemed to constitute a consent by the Note Purchaser or any Note Holder to any such amendment, supplement or other modification or to be in limitation or derogation of the restrictions set forth in Section 7.7. Each reference to a Law shall mean and include such Law as amended from time to time and any supplements or replacement provisions with respect to such Law. All terms defined herein have the meanings assigned to them herein for all purposes, and such meanings are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined unless the context requires otherwise. “Include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import. References to a Person are, unless the context otherwise requires, also to its successors and permitted assigns. The word “or” is not exclusive. The term “knowledge” in relation to Issuer, and any other similar expressions, shall mean knowledge of each of Subject Company, in each case, after due inquiry.

 

SECTION 2. THE NOTES, CLOSING AND DELIVERY

 

2.1 The Notes and Closing

 

A. The Notes.

 

(i) Initial Notes . On the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, all “Notes” under, and as defined in, the Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement held by, or transferred to, the Note Holder shall automatically, and without any action on the part of any Person, be deemed to be Initial Notes hereunder held by the Note Holder. All Initial Notes were fully purchased and funded under, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Original Convertible Note Facility Agreement prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and are outstanding in full as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. The Issuer may not request, and the Note Purchaser shall not be required to purchase, additional Initial Notes on or after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. Once repaid, prepaid or converted, Initial Notes may not be reborrowed or repurchased hereunder. All amounts owed with respect to the Initial Notes shall be paid in full in cash no later than the Maturity Date, unless the Full Note Conversion has previously occurred.

 

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(ii) Additional Notes . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Note Purchaser agrees (x) to purchase from the Issuer additional convertible secured notes in the form of Exhibit A-2 on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Commitment and (y) that all accrued and unpaid interest on the Initial Notes through and including the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date (the “ Accrued Interest ”) shall be paid-in-kind on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date in the form of additional convertible secured notes in the form of Exhibit A-2 (clauses (x) and (y), collectively, the “ Additional Notes ”). The Issuer may not request, and the Note Purchaser shall not be required to purchase, Additional Notes after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. Once repaid, prepaid or converted, Additional Notes may not be reborrowed or repurchased hereunder. All amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Additional Notes shall be paid in full in cash no later than the Maturity Date, unless the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion has previously occurred. As of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the amount of Accrued Interest is $2,354,301.37.

 

B. Amendment and Restatement Closing Date . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.1), the issuance of the Additional Notes contemplated hereby shall be held or take place on March 3, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. New York City time (the “ Amendment and Restatement Closing Date ”) at the offices of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. Such issuance is hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing .”

 

C. Delivery . At the Closing, the Issuer will, unless otherwise requested by the Note Purchaser, deliver to the Note Purchaser the Initial Notes and the Additional Notes being issued to the Note Purchaser hereunder, duly executed by the Issuer.

 

D. Conversion Rights . The Notes shall be convertible into the Shares as, and to the extent, provided in the Notes and in accordance with the Issuer’s Organizational Documents, unless a Note Conversion Suspension Event has occurred.

 

2.2 Advances

 

A. Commitments . On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (including the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 4.1), and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Issuer set forth herein the Note Holder shall make an advance to the Issuer on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date in an aggregate amount equal to Commitment (the “ Final Advance ”). The Commitment shall automatically terminate upon the making of the Final Advance.

 

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B. [Reserved.]

 

C. [Reserved.]

 

D. Disbursements . On the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date each Note Holder shall make disbursements of the Final Advance in Dollars to the Issuer, provided that such Note Holder may (after consultation with and confirmation by the Issuer) subtract any amounts then due and payable to such Note Holder pursuant to the Transaction Documents for which payment or adequate arrangements for payment have not already been made (which amounts will be applied directly by such Note Holder to payment of such amounts). The Final Advance shall bear interest at the rate provided herein from the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

2.3 Use of Proceeds

 

A. General . Unless otherwise previously agreed in writing by the Note Holders, the Issuer shall use the proceeds of the Final Advance as set forth in Schedule 2.3A and in a manner consistent with the Approved Budget.

 

B. Margin Regulations . No portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes was used or shall be used by the Issuer for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” any Margin Stock or used in any manner which might cause the purchase of any Notes or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation U, Regulation T, or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case as in effect on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and on the date of such use of proceeds.

 

SECTION 3. THE NOTES – MATURITY, INTEREST AND PAYMENTS

 

3.1 Maturity and Principal Payments

 

The Notes shall mature on the Maturity Date, and on such date, or upon any accelerated maturity as herein provided, the full amount of principal under the Notes then outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and, in the case of accelerated maturity, all premium thereon (including the Make Whole Premium) shall be due and payable.

 

3.2 Interest

 

A. Base Interest . Subject to the provisions of Section 3.2B, the unpaid principal amount of the Notes shall bear interest from and after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date at a base rate of twenty percent (20%) per annum (such interest is referred to herein as the “ Base Interest ”), which shall be payable in cash on each Interest Payment Date in arrears.

 

B. Default Interest Rate . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the unpaid principal amount of the Notes and, to the extent permitted by Law, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any other Obligations (including the Make Whole Premium) then due and payable shall bear interest at a default rate of the Base Interest plus two percent (2%) per annum (such interest rate is referred to herein as the “ Default Interest Rate ”) and be payable in cash upon demand.

 

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C. Computation of Interest . Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a year consisting of three hundred sixty-five (365) days and the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues.

 

D. Maximum Amount of Interest . Anything to the contrary herein or in any Transaction Document notwithstanding, interest payable hereunder shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under applicable Law.

 

E. Conversion . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.2 to the contrary, upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with their terms, Note Holders shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest not yet due. The Note Conversion shall be deemed to satisfy the Issuer’s obligation to pay the principal amount of the Notes subject to the Note Conversion and accrued and unpaid interest thereon (other than interest payable at or prior to the date of conversion) from the later to occur of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and the last Interest Payment Date on which interest was paid to, and including, the Note Conversion Date. As a result, any such accrued and unpaid interest on Notes subject to the Note Conversion shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited.

 

3.3 Principal Payments and Prepayments

 

A. Certain Prepayments.

 

(i) The Issuer shall not be permitted to prepay all or any portion of the Notes except as expressly permitted under this Section 3.3, unless each of the Note Holders otherwise previously consents thereto in writing. For the avoidance of doubt, any amount prepaid on the Notes may not be reborrowed.

 

(ii) Any time and from time to time, subject to Section 3.3A(iii), the Issuer may voluntarily prepay the Notes on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount. The Issuer shall provide an irrevocable Prepayment Notice not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the date of any such prepayment.

 

(iii) If the Issuer desires to make a prepayment in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3A(ii) or the Obligations are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, by operation of law or otherwise, the Issuer shall pay the following amounts:

 

(a) the aggregate principal amount outstanding under, and accrued interest on, the Notes; plus

 

(b) the Make Whole Premium.

 

B. [Reserved]

 

C. Prepayments upon Change of Control. In the event of any prospective Change of Control, the Issuer, not less than thirty (30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to such Change of Control, must give notice thereof to the Note Holders, and in such notice make or cause to be made an irrevocable offer to purchase all outstanding Notes, on a Business Day on or prior to the date such Change of Control is proposed to occur, at a purchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus the Make Whole Premium. The offer must remain open for at least twenty (20) days following its commencement. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of all applicable and any other securities Laws and regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to any offer to purchase described herein. Notwithstanding the above, if the Note Holders consent to such Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be required to commence an offer to purchase the outstanding Notes and no Note Holder will have the right to make a request for such a purchase.

 

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Change of Control ” means, with respect to the Issuer:

 

(i) any event or circumstance such that any person (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests (or of rights to acquire Equity Interests) representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of all the outstanding Equity Interests in the Issuer or otherwise has the power to elect fifty per cent (50%) or more of the members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer;

 

(ii) any event or circumstance such that, at any time, individuals who, as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, constitute the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the “ Incumbent Board ”), shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or nomination for election by the Issuer’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a majority of the directors who constitute the Incumbent Board then still in office who were either directors on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended, shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board;

 

(iii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer;

 

(iv) any liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer or approval of any such liquidation or dissolution by the Board of Directors of the Issuer; or

 

(v) any consolidation or merger of the Issuer (including a triangular merger) where the holders of the Common Stock of the Issuer, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Common Stock representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of all the outstanding Equity Interests in the Issuer or otherwise have the power to elect fifty per cent (50%) or more of the members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer;

 

provided that the occurrence of the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion shall not constitute a Change of Control.

 

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3.4 Application of Payments

 

Any prepayments in accordance with Section 3.3 shall be applied in the following order of priority: first , to any outstanding interest then due and payable pursuant to all Notes to the full extent thereof; second , to any required amount with respect to the Make Whole Premium then required to be paid; and third , to principal outstanding under all Notes to the full extent thereof.

 

3.5 General Provisions Regarding Payment

 

A. If more than one Note is outstanding, all payments on the Notes shall be applied to them pro rata based on the principal amounts outstanding.

 

B. All payments of principal and interest and other amounts due hereunder and under the Notes shall be in same day funds and delivered to the Note Holders not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date due (without set-off or counterclaim) in Dollars in immediately available funds through wire transfer to the account of the Note Holders at such place in the United States as shall be designated in writing by the Note Holders to the Issuer from time to time (such payment instructions the “ Payment Instructions ”). At the time of payment, written confirmation of such payment shall be sent to the applicable Note Holders by facsimile at the number set forth in the Payment Instructions indicating the principal and interest paid and a wire transfer identification number. Funds received by the Note Holders after that time shall be deemed to have been paid on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under the Notes shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest and fees (if applicable) hereunder or under the Notes.

 

C. Any and all prepayments of Notes by the Issuer, in whole or in part, pursuant to Section 3.3 or otherwise shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest in respect of such prepaid Notes.

 

3.6 Taxes .

 

A. Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Issuer under the Transaction Documents shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any applicable Law requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment, 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 Transaction Document Parties 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), the applicable Note Holder receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

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B. Payment of Other Taxes by the Issuer . The Issuer shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law any Other Taxes.

 

C. Indemnification by the Issuer . The Issuer or applicable Transaction Document Party, as the case may be, shall indemnify each Note Holder, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Note Holder or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Note Holder 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 Issuer by a Note Holder shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

D. Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Issuer or applicable Transaction Document Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 3.6, the Issuer or applicable Transaction Document Party shall deliver to each of the Note Holders with respect to which such Taxes were paid 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 each such Note Holder.

 

E. Status of the Note Holders.

 

(i) Any Note Holder that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Transaction Document shall deliver to the Issuer, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Issuer, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Issuer as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Note Holder, if reasonably requested by the Issuer, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Issuer as will enable the Issuer to determine whether or not such Note Holder is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a Note Holder shall not be required to deliver any form or documentation pursuant to this Section 3.6 that such Note Holder is not legally able to deliver.

 

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(a) any Note Holder that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Issuer on or prior to the date on which such Note Holder becomes a Note Holder under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Issuer), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Note Holder is exempt from United States federal backup withholding tax;

 

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(b) any Foreign Note Holder shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Issuer on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Note Holder becomes a Note Holder under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Issuer), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1) in the case of a Foreign Note Holder claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Transaction Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Transaction Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States 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 Foreign Note Holder claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the effect that such Foreign Note Holder is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form); or

 

(4) to the extent a Foreign Note Holder is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form), IRS Form W-9, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Note Holder is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Note Holder are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Note Holder may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and

 

(c) if a payment made to a Note Holder under any Transaction Document would be subject to United States federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Note Holder 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 Note Holder shall deliver to the Issuer at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Issuer such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Issuer as may be necessary for the Issuer to comply with its obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Note Holder has complied with such Note Holder’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (c), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Note Holder agrees that (i) if any form or certification it previously delivered becomes inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Issuer in writing of its legal inability to do so and (ii) if any form or certification it previously delivered becomes obsolete, it shall upon request from the Issuer update such form or certification or promptly notify the Issuer in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

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F. Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any Note Holder 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 3.6 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6), it shall pay to the Issuer an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 3.6 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such Note Holder and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). The Issuer, upon the request of such Note Holder, shall repay to such Note Holder the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 3.6F (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Note Holder is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.6F, in no event will the Note Holder be required to pay any amount to the Issuer pursuant to this Section 3.6F the payment of which would place the Note Holder in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Note Holder 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 Section 3.6F shall not be construed to require any Note Holder to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the Issuer or any other person.

 

G. Survival . Each Party’s obligations under this Section 3.6 shall survive any assignment of rights by a Note Holder, the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Transaction Document.

 

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND THE FINAL ADVANCE

 

4.1 Conditions to the Purchase of the Additional Notes and the Final Advance

 

The obligations of the Note Purchaser to purchase the Additional Notes and to make the Final Advance on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date are conditioned upon the satisfaction as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date of each of the following conditions precedent, unless waived by the Note Purchaser:

 

A. Organizational Documents, Corporate Consents and Transaction Documents . On or before the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the Issuer shall have delivered, and shall have caused each other Transaction Document Party or Subject Company, as applicable, to deliver, to the Note Purchaser:

 

(i) Organizational Documents . A copy of the Organizational Documents of each Transaction Document Party and of each other Subject Company, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Note Purchaser and including provisions relating to the Shares certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Transaction Document Party or Subject Company;

 

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(ii) Resolutions and Shareholder Consents . A copy of the resolutions or written consent of the Board of Directors, members, managers or partner of such Transaction Document Party, as applicable, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

 

(iii) Incumbency Certificate . A list of the officers of such Transaction Document Party authorized to execute on behalf of such Transaction Document Party the Transaction Documents to which such Transaction Document Party is a party and specimen signatures for each such officer;

 

(iv) Officer’s Certificate . An Officer’s Certificate of such Transaction Document Party and each other Subject Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Note Holders, dated as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, attaching each of the documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) required to be delivered for such Person and certifying that such documents are true and correct copies, are in full force and effect without modification or amendment as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and no material breach, material default or material violation thereunder has occurred and is continuing;

 

(v) Good Standing Certificates . A good standing certificate (or equivalent thereto) for such Transaction Document Party and for each other Subject Company from the appropriate Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Transaction Document Party or Subject Company, as the case may be, and each other jurisdiction in which such Transaction Document Party or Subject Company, as the case may be, is qualified or is required to be so qualified or authorized to do business, each dated a recent date prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date;

 

(vi) Transaction Documents . Duly executed copies of each Transaction Document; and

 

(vii) Other Documents . A copy of such other documents, instruments and agreements as the Note Purchaser shall reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

B. Due Diligence . All due diligence conducted in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, including legal, tax, business (including the coverage under the Issuer’s director and officer insurance policies) and environmental due diligence, shall have been completed by the Note Purchaser to its satisfaction, and such completion shall have been notified to the Issuer. The Note Purchaser shall have received a final and executed machine and equipment appraisal from Tiger Valuation Services, LLC, covering all machines and equipment of the Subject Companies, which appraisal shall be in form and substance (including with respect to fair market value and the net orderly liquidation value of all such machines and equipment as of February 1, 2017, or such other date as agreed by the Note Purchaser) satisfactory to the Note Purchaser in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

C. Absence of Defaults. No event shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result from the issuance of the Additional Notes, or the consummation of any of the other transactions to occur on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date contemplated under this Agreement and under the other Transaction Documents that would constitute an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.

 

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D. No Adverse Laws. The issuance of the Additional Notes, and the consummation of the transactions to occur on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date as contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents shall be permitted by all applicable Laws to which each Note Holder, each Transaction Document Party and each other party thereto is subject.

 

E. No Orders . No order, judgment, injunction or decree of any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain the issuance of the Notes, or the consummation of the transactions to occur on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date as contemplated hereunder, under the other Transaction Documents.

 

F. Consents. (i) The Issuer shall have obtained or completed, as applicable, and the Note Holders shall have received documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Note Holders evidencing, all consents, permits and waivers, and all filings, necessary or appropriate for the issuance of the Notes and the consummation of the other transactions to occur on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date as contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, including from any Governmental Authority or third party, and (ii) any applicable waiting periods shall have expired.

 

G. No Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 2016, no event or circumstance shall have occurred with respect to any Subject Company that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

H. Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of each Transaction Document Party contained in Section 5 herein, and in the other Transaction Documents, as applicable, shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

I. Performance of Obligations . As of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, each Transaction Document Party shall have performed all obligations and satisfied all conditions that this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents required to have been performed by it on or before the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

J. Initial Budget . The Issuer shall have delivered a letter agreement to the Note Purchaser that shall attach a statement of projected cash receipts and disbursements (on a cumulative and line-item basis) of Subject Companies for each month of Fiscal Year 2017 ending after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, which shall include, among other things, the anticipated uses of the proceeds of the Additional Notes for such period, available cash, cash flow (including U.S., Argentina and corporate EBITDA), payment of trade payables and ordinary course expenses, total cash expenditures and capital expenditures, fees and expenses relating to the Notes, and working capital and other general corporate needs, which statement shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser, such satisfaction to be evidenced by the Note Purchaser’s acknowledgement of such letter agreement (the “ Initial Budget ”).

 

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K. Licenses, Permits and Authorizations. The Subject Companies shall have obtained all material licenses, permits and Authorizations necessary for its operations, and all such licenses, permits and other Authorizations shall be in good standing and in full force and effect.

 

L. Security Interests and Filings. Subject to Section 6.21, each applicable Transaction Document Party shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Note Holders evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Note Purchaser, that each such Transaction Document Party has taken, or caused to be taken, all actions required to perfect a first priority Lien in favor of the Note Holders in all of the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

M. No Outstanding Liens or Indebtedness. The Note Purchaser shall have received UCC lien searches, personal property security registration searches, or similar reports in respect of judgment and lien searches certified by a party acceptable to the Note Purchaser, dated a date reasonably close to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, with respect to each Transaction Document Party and each other Subject Company and searching the applicable central filing offices in each jurisdiction in which such Person was organized or its principal executive offices are located or any Collateral is located, and any other jurisdictions reasonably requested by the Note Holders, listing all effective UCC financing statements, fixture filings, personal property security registrations or other filings evidencing a security interest that name any Transaction Document Party, any other Subject Company, or any other owner of Equity Interests in any Subject Company as a debtor, together with copies of each such UCC financing statement, fixture filing, personal property security registration or other filings, which shall evidence no Liens, other than such filings that evidence Permitted Liens.

 

N. Officer’s Certificate. The Note Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 4.1C and 4.1E through 4.1K.

 

O. Closing Date Payments . On Closing, the Issuer shall pay all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, counsel to the Note Purchaser, and of the Note Purchaser’s other legal counsel and external advisers; provided such fees and expenses together with the other out-of-pocket expenses of the Note Holders that are reimbursed by the Issuer, shall not exceed $500,000.

 

P. Corporate Proceedings. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions to be consummated on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Note Purchaser and its counsel.

 

Q. Solvency . After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, each Subject Company shall be Solvent.

 

R. Material Agreements . The terms and conditions of all material financing and equity instruments, and operating agreements of the Subject Companies in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, shall be acceptable to the Note Purchaser, and such approval shall have been notified to the Issuer.

 

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S. [ Reserved ]

 

T. Amended and Restated Bylaws. The Issuer shall have duly adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

U. Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement. All transactions contemplated by the Purchase, Sale and Assignment Agreement shall have been consummated.

 

V. Registration Rights Agreement . The Issuer shall have executed and delivered the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.

 

W. Stockholder Rights Agreement . The Issuer and the other parties thereto shall have executed and delivered the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement.

 

X. Viking Intercompany Note . Viking Rock and the Issuer shall have executed and delivered the Amended and Restated Viking Intercompany Note.

 

Y. Advance Notice . The Note Holders shall have received before such Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, a written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (an “ Advance Notice ”) requesting such Final Advance signed by the chief executive officer, president, vice president or chief financial officer of the Issuer or by any executive officer of the Issuer designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of the Issuer in a writing delivered to each Note Holder.

 

Z. No Event of Default or Potential Event Default . No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such Advance Notice or the Transaction Documents that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default.

 

AA. No Legal Bar . No order, judgment or decree of any arbitrator or Governmental Authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Note Holder from making the Final Advance to be made by it on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents shall be permitted by all Laws to which each Note Holder and each Transaction Document Party is subject.

 

BB. Margin Loans . The making of the Final Advance shall not violate any Law including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

CC. Legal Opinions . The Note Purchaser shall have received executed written opinions from (i) Vinson & Elkins LLP, New York, Texas and securities counsel to the Subject Companies, (ii) Woodburn and Wedge, Nevada counsel to the Subject Companies, (iii) Marval, O’ Farrell & Mairal, Argentine counsel to the Note Purchaser and (iv) Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS, Norwegian counsel to the Note Purchaser that are, in each case, satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

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DD. Shareholder Loan . The Issuer shall have repaid all principal, interest and other amounts outstanding under the Shareholder Loan Agreement.

 

EE. Control Agreement . The Issuer, the Note Purchaser and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall have executed a control agreement covering each U.S. deposit account maintained by the Subject Companies, which shall be in form and substances satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

FF. Anti-Corruption Certifications . Each of Carlos Fernandez, Alexander Nickolatos and Ernesto Sotomayor shall have delivered an executed certification with respect to compliance with anti-corruption, money laundering, import laws, export controls and economic sanctions in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

 

SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER

 

The Issuer represents and warrants to the Note Holders that the following statements are true, correct and complete.

 

5.1 Ownership and Organization

 

A. The Issuer. Schedule 5.1A sets forth (as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date) (x) a table of beneficial ownership of the Issuer providing the information required to be included in a proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC by Item 403 of Regulation S-K and the beneficial ownership of all stockholders of the Issuer party to the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement (other than the Note Purchaser), (y) a list of all shareholders of record of the Issuer, as provided by the transfer agent as of the end of the Business Day prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and (z) a schedule of all equity awards (including to employees and directors) as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. All Equity Interests of the Issuer have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as may be disclosed in the Issuer’s SEC Documents, there are no options, warrants, convertible securities or similar rights that entitle or could entitle any Person to any Equity Interest in the Issuer, except for conversion of the Notes into the Shares as provided herein, in the Notes and in the Organizational Documents of the Issuer. Except as may be disclosed in the Issuer’s SEC Documents:

 

(i) none of the Subject Companies capital stock or other Equity Interests (if any) is subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances;

 

(ii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies other than equity awards (including to employees and directors);

 

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(iii) there are no outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies or by which the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies is or may become bound;

 

(iv) there are no financing statements securing obligations in any material amounts, either singly or in the aggregate, naming the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies as debtor or otherwise filed against any Subject Company, other than the UCC-1 financing statements in favor of ACM (which shall be assigned to the Note Holder substantially concurrently with the Closing);

 

(v) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the Securities Act (except pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement);

 

(vi) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Issuer or any of the other Subject Companies;

 

(vii) no Subject Company has securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Notes or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof;

 

(viii) no Subject Company has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement; and

 

(ix) the Issuer and the other Subject Companies have no liabilities or obligations required to be disclosed in the SEC Documents but not so disclosed in the SEC Documents.

 

The Issuer has furnished or made available to the Note Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of the Issuer’s articles of incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and the Issuer’s bylaws, as amended and as in effect on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and the terms of all securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock and the material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto.

 

B. Other Subject Companies. On the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the Issuer has no Subsidiaries other than EcoStim Texas, Viking Rock Holding, Viking Rock and Eco-Stim Argentina. (i) The Issuer directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests in Viking Rock Holding, 100% of the Equity Interests in EcoStim Texas and 90% of the Equity Interests in Eco-Stim Argentina, (ii) Viking Rock Holding directly owns 100% of the Equity Interests in Viking Rock and (iii) EcoStim Texas directly owns 10% of the Equity Interests in Eco-Stim Argentina, in each case free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. The Equity Interests of each Subject Company (other than the Issuer) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. There are no options, warrants, convertible securities or similar rights that entitle or could entitle any Person to any Equity Interest in any such Subject Company other than options or warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Issuer disclosed in the Issuer’s SEC Documents.

 

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C. Organization and Qualification . Each Subject Company and each other Transaction Document Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or in the case of any Subject Company not organized under the laws of the United States, such Subject Company will have the equivalent status) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform each Transaction Document to which it is a party. Each Subject Company and each other Transaction Document Party is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where necessary to carry on its present business and operations, except in jurisdictions in which the failure to be in good standing has not and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.2 Authorization of Issuance

 

A. Authorization of Issuance. The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action by each Transaction Document Party that is a party thereto. The issuance of the Notes by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Issuer.

 

B. No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by each Transaction Document Party of each Transaction Document to which it is a party, the issuance of and performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Notes, including the reservation for issuance and insurance of the Shares upon the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion, do not and will not:

 

(i) violate in any material respect any provision of any Law applicable to such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company, any Organizational Document of such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company, or any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority binding on such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company;

 

(ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any contractual obligation of such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company, except to the extent as could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any properties or assets of such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company, other than Permitted Liens; or

 

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(iv) require any approval of shareholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any other Person under any contractual obligation of such Transaction Document Party or any other Subject Company, other than approvals or consents set forth on Schedule 5.2B which have been obtained and are in full force and effect or will be obtained immediately prior to the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion as identified therein.

 

C. Government Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by each Transaction Document Party of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party do not and will not require on the part of such Transaction Document Party any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority, other than the filing of a Form D and Form 8-K with the SEC and registrations, approvals or consents set forth on Schedule 5.2C which have been obtained and are in full force and effect or will be obtained immediately prior to the Full Note Conversion or the Partial Note Conversion as identified therein.

D. Binding Obligation. Each of the Transaction Documents is the legally valid and binding obligation of each Transaction Document Party that is a party thereto, enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms except, (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.

 

E. Issuance of the Notes. The Notes, when issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, will be duly authorized and validly issued, free of any Liens and enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its respective terms except, (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Note Purchaser set forth herein, the offer and issuance of the Notes issued by the Issuer under this Agreement, are made in accordance with, and in full compliance with, all applicable Laws, including United States securities and blue sky Laws.

 

F. Issuance of Common Stock . As of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the authorized capital stock of the Issuer consists of 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding or reserved for future issuance, and 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which a total of 15,027,841 shares are issued and outstanding, a total of 30,000,000 shares are reserved for future issuance pursuant to conversion of the Notes, a total of 1,089,449 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock awards or similar equity awards, and a total of 864,343 shares are unreserved and available for future issuance. As of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, a number of shares of Common Stock shall have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by the Issuer which equals or exceeds the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to the Notes based on the initial Conversion Rate (as defined in the Notes). Upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the Notes, the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Notes, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. Subject to the accuracy of each of the representations and warranties of the Note Purchaser set forth in Section 9.22 of this Agreement, the offer and issuance by the Issuer of the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

 

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G. Acknowledgment Regarding the Note Purchaser’s Purchase of Securities . The Issuer acknowledges and agrees that the Note Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Issuer further acknowledges that no Note Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and any advice given by the Note Purchaser or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to such Note Purchaser’s purchase of the Notes. The Issuer further represents to the Note Purchaser that the Issuer’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Issuer and its representatives.

 

H. No General Solicitation . Neither the Issuer, nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof. Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the sale of the Notes or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof.

 

I. No Integrated Offering . None of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries, any of their Affiliates, and any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of such securities under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) to require approval of shareholders of the Issuer for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Issuer are listed or designated. None of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries, their Affiliates and any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps referred to in the preceding sentence that would require registration of any of the Notes or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof under the Securities Act or cause the offering of the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) to be integrated with other offerings for purposes of any such applicable shareholder approval provisions.

 

J. SEC Documents; Financial Statements . Since December 11, 2013, the Issuer (and its predecessor) has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (all of the foregoing filed prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and all exhibits included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “ SEC Documents ”). The Issuer has delivered to the Note Purchaser or its respective representatives true, correct and complete copies of the SEC Documents not available on the EDGAR system. As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective filing dates, the financial statements of the Issuer included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Issuer as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No other information provided by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Note Purchaser which is not included in the SEC Documents, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstance under which they are or were made, not misleading (it being recognized that financial projections or forecasts by or on behalf of the Issuer are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by any such financial projections or forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results). The Issuer is not currently contemplating to amend or restate any of the financial statements (including without limitation, any notes or any letter of the independent accountants of the Issuer with respect thereto) included in the SEC Documents (the “ SEC Financial Statements ”), nor is the Issuer currently aware of facts or circumstances which would require the Issuer to amend or restate any of the SEC Financial Statements, in each case, in order for any of the SEC Financial Statements to be in compliance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Issuer has not been informed by its independent accountants that they recommend that the Issuer amend or restate any of the SEC Financial Statements or that there is any need for the Issuer to amend or restate any of the SEC Financial Statements.

 

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K. Sarbanes-Oxley Act . The Issuer is in compliance with any and all requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, that are effective as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and are applicable to the Issuer as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder that are effective as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

L. Transactions With Affiliates . Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents or on Schedule 5.2L, as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, none of the officers, directors or employees of the Issuer or any other Subject Company is a party to any transaction with the Issuer or any other Subject Company (other than for ordinary course services as employees, officers or directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such officer, director or employee or, to the knowledge of the Issuer or any other Subject Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such officer, director, or employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

 

M. Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls . The Issuer and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that, (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset and liability accountability, (iii) access to assets or incurrence of liabilities is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets and liabilities is compared with the existing assets and liabilities at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any difference. The Issuer maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) that are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and its principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, during the twelve months prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or correspondence from any accountant relating to any material weakness in any part of the system of internal accounting controls of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

N. Off Balance Sheet Arrangements . Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Issuer and an unconsolidated or other off balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Issuer in its Exchange Act filings and is not so disclosed.

 

O. Management . Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, no current or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, former officer or director since December 11, 2013 has been, during the past five (5) year period:

 

(i) the subject of a petition under bankruptcy laws or any other insolvency or moratorium law or the appointment by a court of a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer for such Person, or any partnership in which such person was a general partner at or within two years before the filing of such petition or such appointment, or any corporation or business association of which such person was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of the filing of such petition or such appointment;

 

(ii) convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

 

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(iii) the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining any such person from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:

 

(a) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;

 

(b) engaging in any type of business practice; or

 

(c) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of securities laws or commodities laws;

 

(iv) the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than sixty (60) days the right of any such person to engage in any activity described in the Section 5.2O(iii), or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

(v) a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or other authority to have violated any securities law, regulation or decree and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC or any other authority has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated; or

 

(vi) a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.

 

P. No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers . There are no material disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Issuer to arise, between the Issuer and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Issuer and the Issuer is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers which could affect the Issuer’s ability to perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents. In addition, on or prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the Issuer had discussions with its accountants about its financial statements previously filed with the SEC. Based on those discussions, the Issuer has no reason to believe that it will need to restate any such financial statements or any part thereof.

 

Q. No Disqualification Events . With respect to Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Regulation D Securities, none of the Issuer, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Issuer participating in the offering hereunder, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Issuer’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Issuer in any capacity at the time of sale (collectively “ Issuer Covered Persons ”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “ Disqualification Event ”). The Issuer has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Issuer has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to the Note Purchaser a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder.

 

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R. Other Covered Persons . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.2R, the Issuer is not aware of any Person that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of the Note Purchaser or potential purchasers in connection with the sale of any Regulation D Securities.

 

S. Approved Budget. The Approved Budget is based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Issuer to be reasonable and fair in light of current conditions and facts known to the Issuer at the time delivered. The management of the Issuer believed, as of the date when prepared, that such Approved Budget was reasonable and attainable, it being recognized by the Note Purchaser, however, that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts or guaranties of future performance, that actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results.

 

5.3 Contingent Liabilities, Long Term Commitments

No Subject Company has any Contingent Obligation, contingent liability or liability for Taxes, long-term lease or forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the financial statements described in Section 5.2J or the notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Subject Companies, taken as a whole.

 

5.4 No Changes.

Since September 30, 2016, no event, change or development has occurred with respect to any Subject Company that has caused or could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.5 Title to Properties and Assets, Liens

Each of the Subject Companies has good, marketable and legal title (or in the case of leased properties and assets, good, marketable and legal leasehold interests) to all of its respective properties and assets, including all its real and personal properties material to its business, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens (except as otherwise consented to by the Note Holders) and except to the extent that the failure to have such title could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All Lien searches have been conducted consistent with the policy of the Issuer and to the best of the Issuer’s knowledge, indicate that the properties and assets are free of Liens, and to the extent any such Liens exist, such Liens could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.6 Litigation and Compliance with Law

 

A. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.6 as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or disclosed to the Note Holder pursuant to Section 6.1B(xii), there is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration or governmental investigation (whether or not purportedly on behalf of any Transaction Document Party or other Subject Company) at Law or in equity or before or by any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending or, to the best knowledge of the Issuer, threatened, (i) against or affecting any Subject Company or the assets or properties of any Subject Company, that could reasonably be expected to have, in any individual case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) questioning the validity or enforceability or otherwise affecting this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. None of the actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations and governmental investigations set forth on Schedule 5.6 could reasonably be expected to have, in any individual case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

B. No Subject Company is, nor immediately after the Closing will be, (i) in violation in any material respect of any applicable Law, or (ii) in default with respect to any final judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.

 

5.7 Taxes

 

All federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise and other tax returns, reports and statements (collectively, the “ Tax Returns ”) required to be filed by any Subject Company have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are required to be filed, all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, and all Taxes reflected therein or otherwise due and payable have been paid prior to the date on which any liability may be added thereto for non-payment thereof except for those being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures or to the extent that such failure to pay such Taxes or file such Tax Returns could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.7, no Tax Return is under audit or examination by any Governmental Authority and no written notice of such an audit or examination or any written assertion of any claim for Taxes has been given or made by any Governmental Authority. No Subject Company has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b). Except as set forth on Schedule 5.7, no Subject Company has been a member of an affiliated, combined or unitary group other than the group of which a Subject Company is the common parent.

 

5.8 Business Agreements and Performance of Contractual Obligations

 

A. Each Business Agreement required for the conduct of the business of the Subject Companies, including the ownership, operation and maintenance of the assets required for the activities specified in the then-effective Approved Budget, is in full force and effect.

 

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B. No Subject Company is in default in any material respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of its obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any of its respective contractual obligations (other than such items that are being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures, the liability for which could not reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate), and no condition exists that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default.

 

C. No Subject Company is a party to or is otherwise subject to any agreement or instrument or any charter or other internal restriction that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

D. All material licenses, patents or agreements with respect to the usage of technology or other property that are necessary for the conduct of the business of the Subject Companies have been obtained, are final and are in full force and effect, and all of the Subject Companies are in full compliance with the terms thereof. True, correct and complete copies of all such material licenses, patents or agreements have been made available to the Note Holders. There are no royalties or fees payable or to be payable under any such agreement.

 

E. Other than the Transaction Documents, no Subject Company is a party to or is otherwise subject to any agreement or instrument or any charter or other internal restriction that limits the ability of any Subject Company to make distributions or limits the ability of the Transaction Document Parties or any other Subject Company to create liens on its property or equity interests or contains a change of control provision.

 

5.9 Regulation

 

A. None of the Transaction Document Parties or Subject Companies is an “investment company,” a company “controlled” by an “investment company” or an “investment advisor” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

 

B. None of the Transaction Document Parties or Subject Companies is subject to regulation under any Law, (i) that may limit its ability in any material respect to incur Indebtedness generally, (ii) that may require the approval of any Governmental Authority for such Transaction Document Party or Subject Companies to incur Indebtedness generally, or (iii) that may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable.

 

5.10 ERISA

 

A. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Subject Company and each of its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, and has performed all of its material obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan. Each Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, is in substantial compliance with applicable Law (including ERISA and the Code) and if such plan is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code is so qualified and, to the knowledge of the Subject Companies, each Multiemployer Plan is in substantial compliance with applicable Law (including ERISA and the Code) and if such plan is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified.

 

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B. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Subject Companies or any of their ERISA Affiliates, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur and (ii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened litigation relating to the Employee Benefits Plans. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of any Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates. Neither any of the Subject Companies nor any of their ERISA Affiliates now, or at any time in the past six years, sponsors, monitors, contributes to or holds an obligation to contribute to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan. None of the Subject Companies have any material unfunded liabilities with respect to any Employee Benefit Plans maintained outside of the United States primarily for the benefit of employees working outside of the United States.

 

C. Neither the purchase of the Additional Notes nor the Note Conversion will result in any payments which would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.

 

5.11 Authorizations

 

A. All Authorizations necessary under applicable Laws to be obtained by Subject Companies for the conduct of its business have been duly obtained, were validly issued, are in full force and effect, are not subject to appeal, and are free from conditions or requirements compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The information set forth in each application and all other written materials submitted by or on behalf of a Subject Company to the applicable Government Authority in connection with each such Authorization is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading. The Subject Companies are in compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions of each Authorization described in the first sentence hereof.

 

B. No Authorizations other than those already obtained and in full force and effect or any transfer of any Authorizations would be required in connection with the exercise of any remedies by the Note Holders under the Security Documents.

 

5.12 Environmental Protection

 

Except as set forth on Schedule 5.12 and except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i) the operations of each Subject Company (including all operations and conditions at or in the Subject Company Properties) comply in all respects with all Environmental Laws;

 

(ii) each Subject Company has timely applied for and diligently pursued issuance of or has obtained all Authorizations under Environmental Laws necessary for its respective operations as currently performed, and all such Authorizations are in good standing or reasonably expected to be issued with no interruption in operations, and each Subject Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of such Authorizations;

 

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(iii) no Subject Company has received (a) any written notice or claim to the effect that it is or may be liable to any Person or Governmental Authority as a result of or in connection with any Hazardous Materials or (b) written notice that the operations of any Subject Company is the subject of an investigation by a Governmental Authority relating to or in connection with any Hazardous Materials at any of the Subject Company Properties or at any other location;

 

(iv) none of the operations of any Subject Company are subject to any judicial or administrative proceeding alleging the violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws;

 

(v) no Subject Company nor any of its respective operations is subject to any outstanding written order or agreement with any Governmental Authority or private party relating to (a) any Environmental Laws or (b) any Environmental Claims;

 

(vi) no Subject Company nor any predecessor of any Subject Company, has notified any Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment or Release of Hazardous Materials at any of the Subject Company Properties, except where such past or present treatment or Release is in compliance with applicable Laws;

 

(vii) there are not any, and there have been no, conditions, occurrences or Hazardous Materials that exist on, under or about any Subject Company Property in a manner that have a reasonable possibility of giving rise to an Environmental Claim and no Subject Company has notified any Governmental Authority of a Release of any Hazardous Materials that has a reasonable possibility of giving rise to an Environmental Claim;

 

(viii) no Subject Company nor any of its respective predecessors has disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner that has a reasonable possibility of giving rise to an Environmental Claim;

 

(ix) all underground storage tanks or surface impoundments at the Subject Company Properties are in compliance with Environmental Laws and none have leaked or are leaking;

 

(x) no Lien in favor of any Person relating to or in connection with any Environmental Claim has been filed or has been attached to any Subject Company Property; and

 

(xi) compliance with all current Environmental Laws could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.12 to the contrary, no events or conditions have occurred or are occurring with respect to any Subject Company relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous Materials, or any activity relating to Hazardous Materials, including any matter disclosed on Schedule 5.12, which individually or in the aggregate has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.13 Labor Matters

 

Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (i) there are no strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against any Subject Company; (ii) hours worked by and wages paid to employees of each Subject Company have not violated the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Laws; and (iii) all payments due in respect of employee health and welfare insurance from any Subject Company have been paid or properly accrued on the books of the relevant Subject Company.

 

5.14 Financial Advisers, Finders and Brokers

 

No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission was or will be payable with respect to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby for which any Subject Company, Transaction Document Party or Note Holder may have any liability (other than fees payable to the Note Purchaser), and the Issuer hereby indemnifies the Indemnitees against, and the Issuer agrees that it will hold the Indemnitees harmless from any claim, demand or liability for any such broker’s or finder’s fees alleged to have been incurred in connection herewith or therewith and any expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel) arising in connection with any such claim, demand or liability.

 

5.15 Solvency

 

Each Subject Company is, and on and after the issuance of the Notes hereunder, and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Transaction Documents will be, Solvent.

 

5.16 Compliance with Anti-Corruption, Money Laundering and Import Laws; Export Controls and Economic Sanctions

 

A. Neither any Subject Company, nor any of the officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants, distributors, resellers, representatives, sales intermediaries or other Persons acting on behalf of any Subject Company, has: (1) directly or indirectly, given, promised, offered, authorized the offering of, or paid anything of value to any public official, in each case, for purposes of (A) influencing any act or decision of any public official in such official’s official capacity, (B) inducing such public official to do or omit to do any act in violation of such official’s lawful duty, (C) securing any improper advantage or (D) inducing such public official to use such official’s influence with a Governmental Authority, or commercial enterprise owned or controlled by any Governmental Authority (including state-owned or -controlled facilities), in order to assist such Subject Company in obtaining or retaining business; or (2) taken any action in violation of any applicable anti-corruption Law, including, without limitation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“ FCPA ”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq., the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and any other applicable anti-corruption or anti-bribery Law of any Governmental Authority of any jurisdiction applicable to such Subject Company. There is no pending or threatened action, proceeding or investigation (whether internal or by a Governmental Authority), with respect to any actual or potential violation of any applicable anti-corruption Law relating to any Subject Company. Each Subject Company has in place adequate controls to ensure compliance with any applicable anti-corruption Laws, including but not limited to the “books and records” provisions of the FCPA or other similar provisions in any applicable anti-corruption law.

 

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B. The Subject Companies are in compliance, and at all times during the five (5) year period ending on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date have complied, with all applicable Laws relating to the prevention of money laundering of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property or in respect of its operations, including, without limitation, all applicable criminal Laws and all applicable financial record-keeping, customer identification, know-your-customer and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (the “ Money Laundering Laws ”). No action, proceeding or investment by or before any Governmental Authority involving any Subject Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Subject Companies, threatened.

 

C. The Subject Companies have at all times during the five (5) year period ending on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date been in compliance with all applicable trade Laws, including import and export control Laws, economic/trade embargoes and sanctions, and anti-boycott Laws, and, except as authorized by the applicable Governmental Authority or Governmental Authorities, have not: (A) exported, re-exported, transferred, or brokered the sale of any goods, services, technology, or technical data to any destination to which, or individual for whom, a license or other authorization is required under the U.S. International Traffic In Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. § 120 et seq.) (“ ITAR ”), or the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730 et seq.) (the “ EAR ”), or the economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (31 C.F.R. Part 500 et seq.) (“ OFAC ”); (B) entered into, funded, financed, or facilitated any activities, business or transaction that is prohibited under any applicable trade Law, including, the ITAR, the EAR, or the economic sanctions programs administered by OFAC; or with or for the benefit of any Person subject to economic or trade sanctions under applicable trade Laws, including but not limited to any Person (1) designated as a Specially Designated National by OFAC, (2) on the Denied Persons, Entity, or Unverified Lists of the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security or (3) on the Debarred List of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the U.S. Department of State; (C) exported any goods, services, technology, or technical data that have been or will be used for any purposes associated with nuclear activities, missiles, chemical or biological weapons, or terrorist activities, or that have been or will be used, transshipped or diverted contrary to applicable U.S. export controls and economic/trade sanctions; (D) manufactured any defense article (as defined in the ITAR, “Defense Article”), including within the United States, and without regard to whether such Defense Article was subsequently exported, without being registered and in good standing with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the U.S. Department of State; (E) imported any goods except in compliance with the import and customs Laws of the United States, including, but not limited to, Title 19 of the United States Code, Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and all other regulations administered or enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Commerce; or (F) violated the anti-boycott prohibitions, or failed to comply with the reporting requirements, of the EAR and the Tax Reform Act of 1976 (26 U.S.C. § 999).

 

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D. Each Subject Company has in place adequate controls to ensure compliance with all applicable Laws pertaining to the export and import of goods, services, and technology, including, as applicable and without limitation, the EAR, the ITAR, the U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC, and any other applicable import and customs Laws. There are no threatened claims, nor presently existing facts or circumstances that would constitute a reasonable basis for any future claims, with respect to exports, imports, or other trade-related activity by any Subject Company or its predecessors.

 

5.17 Full Disclosure

 

No representation, warranty or other statement made, or other information furnished, by any Transaction Document Party or Subject Company in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in any certificate, written statement or other document previously furnished to the Note Holders by any Transaction Document Party or Subject Company or by any authorized agents of any such Person contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained in such documents, written statements or certificates not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. There is no fact known to any Transaction Document Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than matters of a general economic nature) on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date that such Transaction Document Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its respective authorized agents have not disclosed to the Note Holders in writing prior to the date of this Agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.18 Insurance.

 

The properties and assets of the Subject Companies are insured with Acceptable Insurance Carrier, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar business and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Subject Company operates.

 

SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

The Issuer covenants and agrees that until the Obligations are paid in full in cash or the Full Note Conversion occurs, the Issuer shall perform or cause to be performed the covenants in this Section.

 

6.1 Financial Statements, Notices and Other Reports

 

A. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Upon the reasonable request of the Note Holders, the Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, deliver to such Note Holder any additional information relating to the substance of such financial statements which the Note Holders reasonably believe is required to understand the substance of such financial statements.

 

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B. The Issuer shall deliver to each Note Holder:

 

(i) Monthly Financials : as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each month occurring during each Fiscal Year, complete unaudited consolidated balance sheets of each of the Subject Companies, in each case, as of the end of such month and unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows of each of the Subject Companies, in each case, for such month and for the elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, in each case prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period of the previous Fiscal Year, certified by the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Issuer that they fairly present the financial condition of the Subject Companies, as of the dates indicated and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments);

 

(ii) Yearly Financials : as soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year:

 

(a) complete audited consolidated balance sheets of each of the Subject Companies as of the end of such Fiscal Year, audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows of Eco-Stim Argentina and unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows of each of the other Subject Companies for such Fiscal Year, in each case prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, certified by the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Issuer that they fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Subject Companies, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period indicated in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; and

 

(b) a report thereon of the Accountant, which report shall be unqualified, expressing no doubts, assumptions or qualifications concerning the ability to continue as a going concern and stating that such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Subject Companies, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such Accountant in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;

 

(iii) Officer’s Certificates : together with each delivery of financial statements of Issuer delivered pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 6.1B, a certificate of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Issuer certifying that the signer reviewed the terms of this Agreement and has made, or caused to be made under his supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of each Subject Company during the accounting period covered by such financial statements and that such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period, and that the signer does not have knowledge of the existence as at the date of such certificate, of any condition or event that constitutes a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Issuer has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

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(iv) Reconciliation Statements : if, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the financial statements previously delivered under this Section 6.1B, the financial statements of any Person delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1B(i) or 6.1B(ii) will differ in any material respect from the financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then (a) together with the first delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 6.1B(i) or 6.1B(ii) following such change, financial statements of such Person for, (1) the current Fiscal Year to the effective date of such change, and (2) the full Fiscal Year immediately preceding the Fiscal Year in which such change is made, in each case prepared on a pro forma basis as if such change had been in effect during such period, and (b) together with each delivery of quarterly or annual financial statements pursuant to Sections 6.1B(i) or 6.1B(ii) following such change, a written statement of the chief accounting officer or chief financial officer of such Person setting forth the differences that would have resulted if such financial statements had been prepared without giving effect to such change;

 

(v) Accountant’s Certification : together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1B(ii), a written statement by the Accountant giving the report thereon, (a) stating that their audit examination has included a review of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents as they relate to accounting matters, (b) stating whether, in connection with their audit examination, any condition or event that constitutes a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default has come to their attention and, if such a condition or event has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and (c) stating that based on their audit examination nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the information contained in the certificate delivered therewith pursuant to Section 6.1B(iii) is not correct;

 

(vi) Accountant’s Reports : promptly upon receipt thereof (unless restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all reports submitted to the Issuer or any other Subject Company by the Accountant in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of the financial statements of any Subject Company made by such Accountant, including, without limitation, any comment letter submitted by such Accountant to management in connection with their annual audit;

 

(vii) [reserved] .

 

(viii) Monthly Operation Reports : no later than ten (10) days following the end of each calendar month of each Fiscal Year, a report for the preceding calendar month, prepared in reasonable detail regarding the operations of Eco-Stim Argentina and the other Subject Companies, which includes a log showing the percentage of utilization and the number of work days for each work crew and each equipment was operational during such month with respect to the Subject Company Properties;

 

(ix) Events of Default : promptly upon (and in any event within 2 Business Days after) an officer of the Issuer obtaining knowledge of, (a) any inaccuracy in any material respect of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (b) any breach in any material respect of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (c) any event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) any Person giving notice to the Issuer or taking any other action with respect to a claimed default, acceleration, foreclosure, exercise of remedies or similar action or an event or condition of the type referred to in Section 8.1B, or (e) the occurrence of any Potential Event of Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying in reasonable detail the nature and date, if applicable, of such inaccuracy, breach or occurrence and the Issuer’s and any other applicable Subject Company’s intended actions with respect thereto;

 

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(x) ERISA Events : promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to Issuer or any other Subject Company in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action the Issuer (or any other Subject Company) or any ERISA Affiliate thereof has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto;

 

(xi) ERISA Reports and Documents : with reasonable promptness copies of, if applicable, (a) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by a Subject Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan, and (b) such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as the Note Holders shall reasonably request;

 

(xii) Litigation :

 

(a) promptly upon (and in any event within 2 Business Days after) any officer of the Issuer obtaining knowledge of:

 

(1) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat of, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or arbitration against or affecting any Transaction Document Party or Subject Company or any property of the foregoing parties (collectively, “ Proceedings ”) not previously disclosed in writing by the Issuer to the Note Holders; or

 

(2) any material development in any Proceeding that, in any case: (A) if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (B) seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction Document; or (C) was instituted for the purposes of revoking, terminating, suspending, withdrawing, modifying or withholding any Authorization which, if successful, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to the Issuer to enable the Note Holders and its counsel to evaluate such matters; and

 

(b) at the time of delivery of the applicable financial statement, a schedule of all Proceedings involving an alleged liability of, or claims against or affecting, any Transaction Document Party or other Subject Company equal to or greater than $100,000, and promptly after request by any Note Holder such other information as may be reasonably requested by such Note Holder to enable such Note Holder and its counsel to evaluate any of such Proceedings;

 

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(xiii) Notices and Reports to Shareholders : at the same time as delivery thereof to the shareholders of the Issuer or any other Subject Company, any reports or notices related to shareholders meetings and/or the material operations of each Subject Company delivered to such parties, including notices and agendas of shareholder meetings, financial reports, investor information reports, operating statements, performance tests reports and any environmental reports;

 

(xiv) Notices Regarding Taxes : The Issuer shall notify promptly each Note Holder of each of the following (and in no event later than fifteen (15) Business Days after becoming aware thereof): (a) the creation, or filing with the IRS or any other Governmental Authority, of any contractual obligation or other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the period for assessment or collection of any U.S. federal, state or foreign income or franchise taxes with respect to any Subject Company; and (b) the creation of any contractual obligation of any Subject Company, or the receipt of any request directed to any Subject Company, to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise, which would have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(xv) Nasdaq Notices . Promptly upon (and in any event within two Business Days after) receipt of any written or oral communication from a representative of Nasdaq stating that the Issuer is not in compliance with any of the requirements for continued listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq, a copy of (or in the case of an oral communication, a description of the substance of) such communication.

 

(xvi) Other Information : monthly reports on the status of all equipment and utilization thereof in the preceding month, and all other financial statements, reports or information with respect to the Subject Companies or the Approved Budget as the Note Holders may reasonably request.

 

6.2 Corporate and Partnership Existence

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, as applicable, and the rights and franchises material to the operation of its business.

 

6.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, pay all Taxes (including any Taxes that must be collected or withheld from third parties and remitted to a taxing authority on behalf of such third parties), assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its franchises, business, income or property before any penalty or interest accrues thereon, and all claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and payable and that by Law have or may become a Lien on any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided that no such Tax, assessment, charge or claim need be paid if being contested in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures.

 

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6.4 Maintenance of Properties, Insurance

 

A. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, operate the Subject Company Properties and equipment or cause such Subject Company Properties and equipment to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the recognized best practices of the industry, including with respect to environmental and worker safety standards, and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in material compliance with all requirements of Governmental Authorities, including applicable Environmental Laws and Laws from time to time constituted.

 

B. [Reserved].

 

C. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, maintain, with Acceptable Insurance Carriers, insurance with respect to the Subject Company Properties and business to provide coverage against loss or damage of the kinds and to the extent customarily insured against by entities engaged in the same or similar business, of such type and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such entities. All liability policies shall name the Note Holders as additional insureds.

 

6.5 Compliance with Applicable Laws and Authorizations

 

A. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, comply in all respects with all applicable Laws and Authorizations imposed by any Governmental Authority and all requirements of Nasdaq, except where the failure to do so could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

B. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, from time to time obtain, maintain, retain, observe, keep in full force and effect and comply with the terms, conditions and provisions of all Authorizations as shall now or hereafter be necessary under applicable Laws, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.6 Inspection

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, permit any representative or agent of the Note Holders to visit and inspect the Subject Company Properties, and any related surveys, reports, drawings or other documents, and to examine each Subject Company’s books of record and account and discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its representatives, all upon reasonable notice, at such reasonable times and as often as the Note Holders may reasonably request, but (unless an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing) not more than once each Fiscal Quarter.

 

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6.7 Security Interest, Filings and Reportings

 

A. Filing and Perfection . Subject to Section 6.21, on or before the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, the Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Transaction Document Party to, execute, as debtor, and cause the filing of UCC financing statements and/or amendments covering the security interests created in favor of the Note Holders by the Security Documents in any applicable jurisdiction. In addition, the Issuer shall, at its expense, take all actions that have been reasonably requested by the Note Holders or that are reasonably necessary to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Note Holders and shall furnish timely notice of the necessity of such action, together with such instruments, in execution form, and such other information as may be required to enable the Note Holders to take such action. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Issuer shall file or cause to be filed at its expense such financing statements and continuation statements in all places necessary or advisable (in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Note Holders) to perfect and maintain such security interests and shall promptly notify the Note Holders of any change in its chief executive office or jurisdiction of organization.

 

B. Form D and Blue Sky . The Issuer agrees to file a Form D with respect to the Notes as required under Regulation D under the Securities Act and to provide a copy thereof to the Note Holders promptly after such filing. The Issuer shall, on or promptly after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, take such action as the Issuer shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Notes for sale to the Note Purchaser at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” Laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Note Purchaser on or promptly after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. The Issuer shall make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Additional Notes required under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States following the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

C. Reporting Status . Until the date as of which both (i) the Note Holders (or their transferees) shall have sold all of the Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes and (ii) none of the Notes are outstanding (the “ Reporting Period ”), the Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to timely file all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, and the Issuer shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the Exchange Act even if the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would no longer require or otherwise permit such termination.

 

D. Financial Information . The Issuer agrees to send the following to the Note Holders during the Reporting Period, (i) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, within one (1) Business Day after the filing thereof with the SEC, a copy of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any Current Reports on Form 8-K (or any analogous reports under the Exchange Act) and any registration statements (other than on Form S-8) or amendments filed pursuant to the Securities Act, and (ii) copies of any notices and other information made available or given to the shareholders of the Issuer generally, contemporaneously with the making available or giving thereof to the shareholders.

 

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E. Listing/Quotation . The Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing or authorization for quotation of the Common Stock on Nasdaq or another United States securities exchange or automated quotation system reasonably acceptable to the Note Holders. Neither the Issuer nor any other Subject Company of shall take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock from such securities exchange or quotation system.

 

6.8 Books and Records

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, maintain true and correct financial books and records.

 

6.9 Material Agreements.

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to:

 

A. comply, duly and promptly, in all material respects with its respective obligations and enforce all of its respective rights under the Material Agreements to which it is a party. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, provide the Note Holders with prompt notice of any material breach of or default by any party under any Material Agreement upon becoming aware of such breach and of its intentions with regard to the cure of, or exercise of remedies in respect of, such breach or default; and

 

B. promptly perform, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its material properties, except to the extent a failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.10 Environmental Disclosure and Investigation

 

A. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to, exercise all due diligence in order to comply and cause all other Persons on or occupying any portion of the Subject Company Properties to comply, in all material respects, with all Environmental Laws.

 

B. The Issuer agrees that the Note Holders may, from time to time, but not more often than once per year, and in its sole and absolute discretion, retain, at the Issuer’s reasonable expense, an independent environmental consultant to review any report relating to Hazardous Materials prepared by or for any Subject Company and to conduct its own non-invasive investigation of any Subject Company Property currently owned, leased, operated or used by any Subject Company. Soil and/or groundwater sampling or any Phase II Environmental Site Assessments shall not be conducted without the express and written authorization of the Issuer prior to the occurrence of such activities, which authorization may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by the Issuer. Any non-invasive investigations of any Subject Company Property shall be conducted, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, during normal business hours and, to the extent reasonably practicable, shall be conducted so as not to interfere with the ongoing operations at such Subject Company Property. The Issuer hereby acknowledges and agrees that any report of any investigation conducted at the request of the Note Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10 will be obtained and shall be used by the Note Holders for the purposes of the Note Holders’ internal credit decisions, to monitor and police its investment and to protect the Note Holders’ security interests created by the Transaction Documents. The Note Holders agree to deliver a copy of any such report to the Issuer with the understanding that the Issuer acknowledges and agrees that, (i) it will indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnitees from any costs, losses or liabilities relating to the Issuer’s use of or reliance on such report, (ii) the Note Holders do not make any representation or warranty with respect to such report, and (iii) by delivering such report to the Issuer, the Note Holders are not requiring or recommending the implementation of any suggestions or recommendations contained in such report. Any such environmental consultant retained by the Note Holders will maintain appropriate insurance coverage with respect to activities performed by such consultant, including policy coverage of $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 in the aggregate, and will be solely responsible, as between the Note Holders, consultant and the Issuer, for any losses, liabilities or damages (including personal injury or death) arising out of or resulting from the activities performed pursuant to this Section 6.10B.

 

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C. The Issuer shall, promptly upon its becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, advise the Note Holders in writing and in reasonable detail of:

 

(i) any Release of any Hazardous Materials not in compliance with Environmental Laws that is required to be reported to any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agency under applicable Environmental Laws, where such Release represents a material liability under Environmental Law to Issuer;

 

(ii) any and all written communications with respect to any Environmental Claims alleging a material liability under Environmental Laws;

 

(iii) any remedial action taken by the Issuer or any other Person in response to (a) any Hazardous Material on or under any Subject Company Property, the existence of which could reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental Claim, or (b) any Environmental Claims involving any Subject Company, in each case, where such remedial action or Environmental Claim represents a material liability to Issuer; and

 

(iv) the Issuer’s discovery of any occurrence or condition on any real property adjoining any Subject Company Property that could reasonably be expected to cause such Subject Company Property or any part thereof to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any applicable Environmental Laws.

 

D. The Issuer shall, at its own expense, provide copies of such documents or information as the Note Holders may reasonably request in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

6.11 Remedial Action Regarding Hazardous Materials

 

The Issuer shall promptly take, and shall cause each other Subject Company to take, any and all necessary remedial action in connection with the presence, storage, use, disposal, transportation or Release of any Hazardous Materials on, under or from any Subject Company Property owned or leased by such Subject Company at any time in order to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Authorizations and to respond to any Environmental Claim made against such Subject Company. If the Issuer or any other Subject Company undertakes any remedial action with respect to any Hazardous Materials on, under or from any Subject Company Property, such Subject Company shall conduct and complete such remedial action in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and in accordance with the legally enforceable orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities except when, and only to the extent that, such Subject Company’s liability for such presence, storage, use, disposal, transportation or discharge of any Hazardous Materials is being contested in good faith by such Subject Company in accordance with Permitted Contest Procedures.

 

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6.12 Casualty or Condemnation Event

 

A. The Issuer shall notify the Note Holders promptly of any Casualty Event (generally describing the nature and extent thereof and the Issuer’s best estimate of the cost of Restoration) and upon becoming aware of the threat or commencement of any proceeding relating to a Condemnation Event.

 

B. The Issuer shall consult with the Note Holders in connection with any proceedings relating to a Condemnation Event and shall diligently oppose any such proceedings and pursue all of its rights to compensation against the condemning authority in respect of the Condemnation Event. The Issuer may approve a compromise or settlement of any such proceedings only with the consent of the Note Holders, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

C. If any Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds are received by any Subject Company such proceeds shall be segregated and held in a separate account in trust for the Note Holders. The Issuer will comply with any requests of the Note Holders to confirm or further grant to the Note Holders a security interest in any such Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds.

 

D. Casualty/Condemnation Proceeds received in respect of a Casualty Event may be applied to Restoration of the affected property, subject to the consent of the Note Holders and, if such consent is given, to such conditions as the Note Holders may reasonably require.

 

6.13 [Reserved]

 

6.14 Right of First Offer

 

Without limiting the generality of Section 7, the Issuer shall offer the Note Holders the opportunity to finance, purchase or otherwise provide not less than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and not less than 50% of the total amount of any issuance of Equity Interests by any Subject Company (excluding the issuance of Common Stock described in Section 6.15B and any Equity Interests issued as compensation to officers, employees or directors) (the “ Financing ROFO ”) in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.14. The Issuer shall provide the Note Holders with written notice of its intent to incur any such Indebtedness or issuance any such Equity Interests (a “ Financing ROFO Notice ”), which shall describe all of the proposed material terms of such Indebtedness or such Equity Interests, as applicable, including the proposed price therefor and the proposed date and time of the closing therefor. Upon receipt of a Financing ROFO Notice, the Note Holders shall have twenty (20) Business Days (the “ Financing ROFO Option Period ”) to determine whether to finance, purchase or otherwise provide up to 50% of such Indebtedness or purchase up to 50% of such Equity Interests, as applicable. The Note Holders electing to exercise the Financing ROFO shall indicate same within such Financing ROFO Option Period by delivering a written acceptance to the Issuer which shall indicate the amount of such Indebtedness or Equity Interests, as applicable, that the Note Holders are willing to finance, purchaser or otherwise provide, as applicable (the “ Financing ROFO Acceptance Notice ”). If the Note Purchasers have not delivered a Financing ROFO Acceptance Notice by the expiration of the Financing ROFO Option Period, the Issuer shall be permitted to seek to have third-parties finance, purchase or otherwise provide such Indebtedness or such Equity Interests, as applicable, at a price not less than that specified in the Financing ROFO Notice and on other terms and conditions which are not materially more favorable in the aggregate to the prospective third-party purchaser than those specified in the Financing ROFO Notice, but only to the extent that such third-party transaction occurs within sixty (60) days after expiration of the Financing ROFO Option Period. Any such Indebtedness or Equity Interests not purchased by a third-party purchaser within such sixty (60) day period will again be subject to the provisions of this Section 6.14.

 

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6.15 Required Consents

 

A. The Subject Companies shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the Required Consents as soon as practicable after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date.

 

B. In connection with seeking approval of the Note Conversion from the Issuer’s stockholders as required by the terms of the Notes and/or Nasdaq Rule 5635, the Issuer shall (i) as soon as reasonably possible after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, duly give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders to seek approval of the Note Conversion from holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock not held by Note Holders (the “ Stockholders Meeting ”); provided, however, that the Company shall be permitted to convene the Stockholders Meeting together with its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders so long as such 2017 annual meeting occurs not later than July 31, 2017, (ii) as soon as reasonably possible after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, prepare and (subject to the next four sentences) file with the SEC a proxy statement (the “ Proxy Statement ”) to obtain such approval of the Note Conversion at the Stockholders Meeting and (iii) distribute the Proxy Statement to stockholders and seek proxies in favor of the Note Conversion to be voted at the Stockholders Meeting. The Proxy Statement shall contain all information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC relating to the Stockholders Meeting and the Note Conversion. The Issuer shall cooperate and consult with the Note Holder in preparing the Proxy Statement and shall not file the Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto (or the form of proxy) with the SEC, or submit any correspondence or other document relating to the Proxy Statement to the SEC staff, without first providing a copy of such document, in draft form, to the Note Holder and affording the Note Holder a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. The Issuer shall consider any Note Holder comments in good faith and use reasonable efforts to incorporate such comments and in no event shall the Issuer file any such document with the SEC, or submit any such document to the SEC staff, if the Note Holder shall have objected thereto. The Issuer shall use diligent efforts to resolve, and shall diligently consult and cooperate with the Note Holder in resolving, any SEC staff comments relating to the Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof and shall use diligent efforts to cause the Proxy Statement in definitive form to be cleared by the SEC and mailed to the Issuer’s stockholders as promptly as reasonably practicable following filing with the SEC. The Issuer further agrees to correct any information included in the Proxy Statement which shall have become false or misleading by preparing and mailing to its stockholders an amendment or supplement setting forth such correction. The Proxy Statement shall include a statement that the Issuer’s Board of Directors has recommended approval of the Note Conversion (excluding any directors designated by the Note Holder who did not participate in such recommendation).

 

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C. During the period from the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date until the earlier of the Note Conversion or the repayment of the Notes, the Issuer shall not, and shall not authorize or permit its subsidiaries or affiliates to, and shall not authorize or permit its or their representatives to, directly or indirectly initiate, encourage, facilitate, solicit or cooperate with (including in each case by way of furnishing non-public information relating to the Subject Companies) any inquiries with respect to, or the making, submission, announcement or implementation of, any proposal or offer (written or oral) that could result in a sale of any material portion of the assets of the Issuer, an acquisition by a third party of the Issuer’s Common Stock, or any other transaction that would be inconsistent with the Note Conversion; provided, however, that (i) the Issuer shall be permitted to take any of the foregoing actions so long as all outstanding Notes are repaid, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the applicable Make Whole Premium are paid, concurrently with the consummation thereof and (ii) the restrictions in this paragraph shall not apply to the extent that, at any time prior to obtaining the Stockholder Approval, the Issuer’s Board determines in good faith, based on written advice from the Company’s outside legal counsel, that complying with any such restriction would reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the Issuer’s Board of Directors to its stockholders under applicable Law.

 

D. The Issuer shall offer an option to holders of Common Stock (excluding the Note Purchaser) that qualify as “accredited investors” under the regulations of the SEC and are otherwise acceptable to the Note Purchaser to purchase up to $5,000,000 of Common Stock at a price per share of $1.40 concurrently with the Note Conversion.

 

6.16 Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information

 

As soon as practicable after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and in any event within the time period required under the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Issuer shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents in the form required by the Exchange Act and attaching this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents as exhibits to such filing (collectively, the “ 8-K Filing ”); provided, however, the Issuer shall not file the 8-K Filing or any amendment or supplement thereto with the SEC without first providing a copy of such document, in draft form, to the Note Holder and affording the Note Holder a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon, and the Issuer shall consider any Note Holder comments on the 8-K Filing in good faith and use reasonable efforts to incorporate such comments. Except for the foregoing, neither the Issuer, any other Subject Company nor the Note Purchaser shall issue any press releases or any other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Issuer shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the Note Purchaser, to make any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions, (i) in substantial conformity with the 8-K Filing and contemporaneously therewith, and (ii) as is required by applicable law and regulations or Nasdaq rules (provided that the Note Purchaser shall be consulted by the Issuer in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure a reasonable period prior to its release). Except for the 8-K Filing, the Proxy Statement, any registration statement required to be filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or as otherwise required by law, without the prior written consent of any applicable Note Purchaser, neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall disclose the name of the Note Purchaser in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise.

 

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6.17 Reservation of Shares

 

So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, no less than the maximum number of Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes then outstanding (the “ Required Reserved Amount ”). If at any time the number of Shares authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserved Amount, the Issuer will promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of Shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares of Common Stock to meet the Issuer’s obligations under this Section 6.17, in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain stockholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Issuer in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Issuer to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserved Amount.

 

6.18 Subsidiary Guarantee

 

For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, upon any entity becoming a Subsidiary of the Issuer, the Issuer shall promptly cause each such Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary or a FSHCO (other than the Norwegian Subject Companies) to become party to the Security Agreements by executing a joinder to such agreements reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Note Holders.

 

6.19 [Reserved]

 

6.20 Budget and Use of Proceeds .

 

A. Initial Budget . The Initial Budget (and each subsequent Approved Budget hereunder) shall be deemed the “ Approved Budget ” for all purposes of this Agreement until superseded by another Approved Budget pursuant to the provisions set forth below in this Section 6.20.

 

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B. Updated Budget . As soon as practicable upon request by the Note Purchaser (and, in any event, no later than 14 calendar days thereafter), the Issuer shall deliver to the Note Purchaser an updated statement of projected cash receipts and disbursements (on a cumulative and line-item basis) of the Subject Companies, for the current month and each month of ending thereafter until the Maturity Date (or such earlier date agreed by the Note Purchaser), which shall be consistent with the form and the level of detail of the Initial Budget and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser (the “ Updated Budget ”). Upon (and subject to) the approval of any such Updated Budget by the Note Purchaser, such Updated Budget shall constitute the Approved Budget then in effect; provided , however , that in the event the Note Purchaser and the Subject Companies are unable to reach agreement regarding an Updated Budget, then the Approved Budget most recently in effect shall remain the Approved Budget; provided , further , however , that the failure of the Subject Companies to agree with the Note Purchaser on an Updated Budget within ten (10) calendar days of any date on which the Subject Companies are obligated to deliver an Updated Budget shall constitute an Event of Default.

 

C. Liquidity Report . On each Monday and Thursday of each week after August 15, 2017, the Issuer shall deliver the Note Purchaser a Liquidity Report.

 

D. Variance Reporting : By no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 and thereafter on the tenth (10th) Business Day of each subsequent month (each such Business Day, a “ Variance Reporting Date ”), the Issuer shall deliver to the Note Purchaser a variance report with respect to the most recently ended month (i) setting forth actual cash receipts and disbursements of the Subject Companies for such period and setting forth all the variances, on a line item and aggregate basis, as compared to the corresponding amounts set forth in the Approved Budget for such period, together with a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Subject Companies (x) explaining in reasonable detail all material variances from the Approved Budget for such period and (y) certifying compliance by the Subject Companies with the Disbursement Variance for the most recently ended Test Period and explaining in reasonable detail any non-compliance by the Subject Companies with the Disbursement Variance for such Test Period.

 

E. Permitted Disbursement Variance . The Subject Companies shall not permit actual “Total Cost of Sales” or “SG&A” for any Test Period to be greater than 15% more than the “Total Cost of Sales” or “SG&A” line item in the Approved Budget for such Test Period. As used herein, “ Test Period ” shall refer to the calendar month ending immediately prior to the applicable Variance Reporting Date.

 

F. Use of Proceeds . Unless otherwise previously agreed to in writing by the Note Holders, the Subject Companies (i) shall apply the proceeds of the Additional Notes in accordance with Schedule 2.3A and (ii) shall not use the proceeds of the Additional Notes to expend in excess of the lesser of 15% and $250,000 more than the amount set forth opposite any line-item set forth in Schedule 2.3A. Any expenditure using the proceeds of the Additional Notes that does not comply with the immediately preceding sentence shall be an Event of Default.

 

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6.21 Post-Closing Requirements . The Issuer shall, and shall cause each other Subject Company to:

 

A. Within 15 days of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, deliver customary property and liabilities insurance certificates to the Note Purchaser, together with endorsements to all policies listed therein, naming the Note Purchaser as “additional insured” and “loss payee”.

 

B. (i) Promptly upon request of the Note Holder, take all actions reasonably requested by the Note Holder to ensure the Note Purchaser has a first-priority Lien on all equipment and vehicles located in Argentina and (ii) reserve not less than $500,000 to pay potential fees and expenses related the foregoing less all amounts actually expended related to the foregoing.

 

C. Within 45 days of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, (i) establish a new management equity incentive plan with certain key employees that is satisfactory to the Note Purchaser and the senior management team and commensurate with industry standards and (ii) enter into amendments to the Issuer’s employment contracts with its executives and/or its officers that are, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to the Note Purchaser.

 

D. Within 30 days of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, take all actions reasonably requested by the Note Holder to (i) terminate any and all security interests on assets that secured the obligations under the Shareholder Loan Agreement, (ii) ensure that (x) all Equity Interests in Eco-Stim Argentina that are (or were) held by ACM, and all rights and powers related thereto, are transferred to the Note Purchaser, including the entry into and registration, if applicable, of all agreements, certificates and instruments related thereto, including powers of attorney and (y) the corporate governance of Eco-Stim Argentina, including the bylaws and consent rights of certain directors of the Board of Directors (or foreign equivalent) of Eco-Stim Argentina, is satisfactory to the Note Holder, (iv) deliver each executed Spousal Consent required by Section 7.19 of the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement and (iv) ensure the Note Holder has perfected first-priority security interests in all Collateral and all assets that previously secured the obligations under the Shareholder Loan Agreement, in each case, including the delivery of all agreements, certificates, instruments and opinions necessary or advisable to achieve or confirm the same.

 

SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

The Issuer covenants and agrees that for so long as any Obligations remain outstanding, the Issuer shall perform or cause to be performed the covenants in this Section.

 

7.1 Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guaranty or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations, except Permitted Indebtedness.

 

7.2 Prohibition on Liens and Related Matters

 

A. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of such Subject Company, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or profits under the UCC of any State or under any similar recording or notice statute, other than Permitted Liens.

 

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B. Except as provided in the Transaction Documents, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

C. Except as provided in the Transaction Documents, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of such Subject Company to:

 

(i) make any payments, redemptions, repurchases or other distributions of any kind on any of its Equity Interests;

 

(ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness or make payments on any other obligations owed by such Subject Company to any other Subject Company;

 

(iii) make loans or advances to any other Subject Company; or

 

(iv) transfer any of its property or assets to any other Subject Company.

 

7.3 Investments and Joint Ventures

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly, make or own any investment in any Person (including any loan or advance to such Person and the formation of any Subsidiaries) except (i) in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the then-effective Approved Budget, and (ii) each Subject Company may continue to hold the investments in its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates (if any) that they own as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, enter into any sale-leaseback transaction for any equipment constituting Collateral.

 

7.4 Restriction on Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales

 

A. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, (i) alter its corporate structure (other than creation of Subsidiaries after the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date otherwise not prohibited hereunder so long as such new Subsidiaries (A) comply with Section 6.18, (B) are not FSHCOs and (C) only own or lease any hydraulic fracturing or other equipment to the extent such equipment is vendor financed or serves as collateral), or enter into any transaction of merger, or consolidation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or (ii) directly or indirectly, amend, supplement, terminate or waive, or consent to the amendment, supplement, termination or waiver of any of the provisions of any Organizational Document or enter into or obtain any new Organizational Document without the express prior written consent of the Note Holders as to the form, scope and substance of such new Organizational Document or such amendment, supplement, termination, waiver or consent. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Subject Company to, increase the size of its Board of Directors without the express prior written consent of the Note Holders.

 

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B. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, convey, sell, lease, sub-lease (as lessor or sub-lessor), transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any material part of its respective businesses, property, assets or long-term leases or any other of the Subject Company Properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the disposal (i) in accordance with the then-effective Approved Budget or (ii) in the ordinary course of business of any surplus, worn out or obsolete assets not exceeding $25,000 in value in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year not exceeding $75,000 in value in the aggregate while any Notes are outstanding.

 

C. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, acquire by purchase or otherwise all or any portion of the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business of any Person, except for the purchase of assets in the ordinary course of business reasonably required in the operation of such Subject Company’s business, consistent with prior practice and in accordance with the then-effective Approved Budget, or unless the Note Holders have provided its prior written consent to such purchase.

 

7.5 Restrictions on Issuances or Transfers of Securities

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber, or grant any options, rights or warrants with respect to, any Securities or other Equity Interests of any Subject Company, including (i) any new class of Equity Interests or any new Equity Interests and (ii) Equity Interests representing the common equity of the Issuer, including options, rights and warrants in respect of Equity Interests representing common equity of the Issuer; provided that nothing in this Section 7.5 shall prohibit the Issuer to issue common equity (A) in any transaction that is permitted by Section 6.14, Section 6.15C or Section 6.15D or Section 2.04(vi) of the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement without the consent contemplated by such Section 2.04 thereof, (B) pursuant to outstanding awards under the Issuer’s incentive stock awards program that is in effect on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, (C) issuances of Common Stock pursuant to the Issuer’s at-the-market offering program in effect as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date or (D) pursuant to the Note Conversion.

 

7.6 Transactions with Affiliates

 

Other than transactions (i) contemplated by Section 2.04(vi) of the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement and (ii) those in existence on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and disclosed on Schedule 5.2L, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, engage in any transaction with any Affiliate of the Issuer or with any holder of five (5)% percent or more of any class of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Affiliate of Issuer or any Affiliate of such a holder, unless such transaction both (i) is upon terms no less favorable to the Issuer or such Subject Company, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate (and if such transaction replaces an existing transaction, such terms must be no less favorable to the Issuer or such Subject Company than the terms of such existing transaction) and (ii) has been approved by all of the independent directors on the Board of Directors of the Issuer (including any one or more directors appointed by the Note Holders, unless the transaction is with an Affiliate of the Note Holders).

 

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7.7 Restrictions on Conduct of Business

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, engage, directly or indirectly, in any business other than the (i) consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) ownership of Equity Interests in the other Subject Companies, (iii) activities contemplated in the Approved Budget, and (iv) the business of management of oilfield information and the completion of oil and gas wells in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and activities ancillary thereto.

 

7.8 Restrictions on Prepayment or Refinancing of Indebtedness

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, directly or indirectly, pay or set apart any sum for any payment, retirement or repurchase of any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations (other than (i) the repayment on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date of all amounts outstanding under the Shareholder Loan Agreement in accordance with Section 4.1DD and (ii) obligations under the Transaction Documents), whether by prepayment, refinancing, exchange, defeasance or otherwise, other than scheduled principal, interest and fee payments and mandatory prepayments with respect to such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations permitted by this Agreement.

 

7.9 Restricted Payments

 

The Issuer shall not directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart any sum for any:

 

(i) dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any other Subject Company now or hereafter outstanding;

 

(ii) management fees, or other payments to any Affiliate of the Issuer (other than payments to a Subject Company and salaries and other payments to offices and employees of any of the Subject Companies, in each case in the amounts included in the Approved Budget;

 

(iii) redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Subject Company now or hereafter outstanding;

 

(iv) payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire Equity Interests of Issuer or any Subject Company now or hereafter outstanding; or

 

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(v) payment of any kind on or in respect of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subject Company that is subordinated to the Obligations.

 

7.10 Fiscal Year

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, change its Fiscal Year.

 

7.11 ERISA

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company to, enter into any indemnity agreement or similar arrangement with, or assume any liability or obligation with respect to, any other ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company in connection with any Pension Plan or in connection with any Multiemployer Plan to which any such ERISA Affiliate may at any time contribute, except as may be required by ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code. Except for matters that could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Issuer shall not permit any ERISA Event to occur. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company to, engage in any prohibited transactions under Section 406 of ERISA or under Section 4975 of the Code.

 

7.12 Accountant

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any other Subject Company to, change the Accountant.

 

7.13 Minimum EBITDA

 

The Subject Companies shall not permit EBITDA to be less than (i) for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017, $1,500,000, (ii) for the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2017, $2,000,000 and (iv) for each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter, $3,500,000.

 

7.14 Cash

 

The Subject Companies shall not permit any bank account of any Subject Company that is located outside the United States (“ Foreign Bank Accounts ”) (i) to maintain a balance of cash in excess of $1,500,000 for longer than ten (10) Business Days at any time or (ii) to hold any proceeds from the Additional Notes at any time, unless such circumstance is necessary to comply with Section 6.20F(i). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subject Companies shall be permitted to transfer cash from bank accounts located in the United States (the “ Domestic Bank Accounts ”) to Foreign Bank Accounts in an aggregate amount for all Foreign Bank Accounts not to exceed the aggregate amount of cash transferred from Foreign Bank Accounts to Domestic Bank Accounts during the last 90 days.

 

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SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

8.1 Events of Default

 

The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default ” under this Agreement:

 

A. Failure to Make Payments When Due . Failure to pay (i) any installment of principal on the Notes when due (whether by acceleration, by notice of prepayment or otherwise) or (ii) any interest, fee, prepayment premium or other amount to any Note Holder when due under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and any such failure to pay such other amount continues for more than three (3) Business Days after such due date.

 

B. Default in Other Agreements.

 

(i) Failure of any Subject Company to pay when due (a) any principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.1A) in an individual principal amount of $50,000 or more or any items of Indebtedness with an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 or more, or (b) any Contingent Obligation in an individual principal amount of $50,000 or more or any Contingent Obligations with an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 or more, in each case beyond the end of any cure or grace period provided therefor; or

 

(ii) Breach or default by any Subject Company with respect to any other material term of any item of any Indebtedness in an individual principal amount of $50,000 or more or any items of Indebtedness with an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 or more or any Contingent Obligation in an individual principal amount of $50,000 or more or any Contingent Obligations with an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 or more, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) to become or be declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be (upon the giving or receiving of notice, lapse of time, both, or otherwise) and any cure or grace period for such breach or default under the applicable indenture or other agreement shall have expired.

 

C. Breach of Warranty . Any representation or warranty made by any Transaction Document Party herein or in any other Transaction Document, or in any certificate or other instrument at any time given by any Transaction Document Party in writing pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be false, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made.

 

D. Covenants . Any Transaction Document Party shall default in the performance of or fail to comply with any term, condition, covenant or agreement to be performed by it contained in Section 6.15, Section 6.16, Section 6.17, Section 6.20, Section 6.21 or Section 7 of this Agreement.

 

E. Other Defaults Under this Agreement . Any Transaction Document Party shall default in the performance of or fail to comply with any term, condition, covenant or agreement to be performed by it contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (other than those expressly referred to above in Sections 8.1A or 8.1D) and, in each such case such default or failure to comply shall not have been remedied or waived within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (a) the date on which such failure shall have become known, or should have become known, to the Issuer and (b) the date on which written notification thereof shall have been received by the Issuer; provided that if such Transaction Document Party commences efforts to cure such default within such 30-day period, it may continue to effect such cure of the default for an additional 30 days so long as such default is reasonably capable of being cured within such period and it is diligently pursing the cure.

 

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F. Involuntary Bankruptcy and Appointment of Receiver.

 

(i) A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, including the Bankruptcy Code, which decree or order is not stayed; or

 

(ii) An involuntary case shall be commenced against any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Law now or hereafter in effect, including the Bankruptcy Code; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company, or over all or a substantial part of any Transaction Document Party’s or such Subject Company’s respective property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company for all or a substantial part of such Transaction Document Party’s or such Subject Company’s respective property; or the issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process against any substantial part of the respective property of such Transaction Document Party or such Subject Company; and the continuance of any such events described in this Section 8.1F(ii) for sixty (60) days unless vacated, dismissed, bonded, stayed or discharged.

 

G. Voluntary Bankruptcy and Appointment of Receiver . Any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, including the Bankruptcy Code, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such Law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its respective property; the making by any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company of any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or the inability of any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company or the admission by any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company in writing of its inability generally to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the Board of Directors or a similar governing body of any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to in this Section 8.1G.

 

H. Judgments and Attachments . Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving in any individual case or in the aggregate an amount in excess of $50,000 (in either case not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage) or that otherwise has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect shall be entered or filed against any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company or any of its respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period in excess of thirty (30) days (or in any event later than ten (10) days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder).

 

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I. Dissolution . Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Transaction Document Party or any Subject Company decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Person, and in the case of any such order, judgment or decree that is involuntarily entered against such Person, such order, judgment or decree shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of thirty (30) days.

 

J. Modification or Impairment of Material Agreements.

 

(i) (a) Any Material Agreement shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect in all material respects prior to the scheduled termination date thereof (unless such agreement is replaced by a substantially similar agreement on terms at least as favorable as the terminated contract), or (b)(1) the term of any Material Agreement shall expire, (2) such Material Agreement is material to the operation of the business of any Subject Company, and (3) the Subject Companies do not continue to enjoy all rights and benefits of such contractual arrangement or such Material Agreement is not replaced with a Material Agreement on terms at least as favorable to the applicable Subject Company.

 

(ii) Any party to a Material Agreement (other than the Transaction Documents), including any Subject Company, shall default or fail to comply in any material respect with any term, condition, covenant or requirement in any such Material Agreement and such event shall continue for thirty (30) days (or, if longer, the applicable grace or cure period set forth in such Material Agreement) without such default or failure to comply being cured and, with respect to a default or failure by any party to comply with any Material Agreement, such default or failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and such Agreement is not replaced within ninety (90) days of such default or failure to comply with a new Material Agreement on terms at least as favorable to the applicable Subject Company.

 

(iii) The Argentina Service Agreement shall be terminated as a result of a default or other failure to comply by the Issuer thereunder or QM shall have failed to deliver any of the QM Equipment in compliance with the terms of the QM Equipment Purchase Agreement after the applicable Subject Company shall have made the payment for the QM Option thereunder.

 

K. Enforceability of Transaction Documents . Either, (i) any Security Document shall fail to provide, or cease to be effective to grant, to Note Holders a first priority perfected Lien on the Collateral, or (ii) any Transaction Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested or disaffirmed by or on behalf of any Transaction Document Party.

 

L. Employee Benefit Plans . There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate results in liability of any Subject Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any Subject Company in excess of $100,000; or there shall exist an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit liabilities) which results or may result in the imposition of payment obligations on any Subject Company under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code in excess of $100,000 or there shall exist potential withdrawal liability in excess of $100,000, individually or in the aggregate for all Multiemployer Plans.

 

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M. Environmental Claims . Any Environmental Claim arising with respect to (i) the development, financing, construction, ownership or operation of any activity specified in the Approved Budget or any Subject Company Property shall have been asserted against any Subject Company or any of its properties) which, if adversely decided, could, in the determination of the Note Holders, result in cost or liability to a Subject Company in excess of $250,000, individually or in the aggregate, or (ii) any Release at, on, under or from any of the activities or the Subject Company Properties described above shall have occurred which has resulted in cost or liability in excess of $250,000, individually or in the aggregate, except in cases adequately covered by insurance or indemnification where a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company or other third party has acknowledged coverage for the events described in (i) and (ii) of this Section 8.1L, but in each case of (i) or (ii), excluding those matters disclosed to the Note Holders in Schedule 5.12 to this Agreement.

 

N. Nationalization . Any expropriation, nationalization or other similar event (including the imposition of material Taxes, tariffs or other special assessments having the same effect) resulting in a material taking of property or assets of any Subject Company by any Governmental Authority shall have occurred.

 

8.2 Remedies

 

A. Acceleration .

 

(i) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 8.1F or 8.1G with respect to the Issuer, the unpaid principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and the Make Whole Premium shall automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Issuer.

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default not described in Section 8.2A(i), the Note Holders may, by written notice to Issuer, declare all or any portion of the amounts described in Section 8.2A(i) to be, and the same, together with the Make Whole Premium, shall further become, immediately due and payable, without presentment, further demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Issuer.

 

B. Remedies Available Under Law . The remedies set forth in this Section 8 are in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Note Holders under this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or by Law or equity.

 

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SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1 Registration and Transfer of the Notes

 

A. Register . The Notes shall be issued in registered form. The Issuer shall keep at its principal office a register for the registration and transfers of the Notes. The name and address of each holder of the Notes, the principal amount (and stated interest) of the Notes held by each Note Holder, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of the Notes shall be set out in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof. This Section 9.1A shall be construed so that the Notes are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Issuer shall give to any Note Holder promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes. Any registered holder of the Notes shall be considered to be a “Note Holder” for purposes of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document.

 

B. Transfers .

 

(i) No Note Holder may sell, assign, transfer, or grant participations in any of the Notes to any Permitted Transferee except as permitted under this Section 9.1B and subject to compliance with the transfer procedures set forth in Section 9.1C below; provided , however , no sale, assignment, transfer or grant of participation in the Notes shall be permitted unless:

 

(a) the Note Holders have given their prior written consent to such sale, assignment, transfer or grant (and any purported sale, assignment, transfer or grant without such consent shall be void and of no effect);

 

(b) the subsequent purchaser, assignee, transferee or participant is a person who qualifies as an “accredited investor” as that term is defined under SEC Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the transaction complies with applicable state securities Laws; and

 

(c) the subsequent purchaser, assignee, transferee or participant has provided to the Issuer representations and warranties in the form of Section 9.22M.

 

(ii) The Issuer hereby acknowledges and agrees that any sale, assignment, transfer or grant of the Notes will give rise to a direct obligation of the Issuer to the transferee, assignee or purchaser. Except with the prior written consent of the Note Holders, no Note Holder (other than the Note Purchaser) shall have a right to consent or vote on any matters hereunder other than with respect to:

 

(a) the extension of any date of any payment of principal or interest in respect of any Note;

 

(b) the reduction of the amount of any such payment of principal;

 

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(c) a decrease in the rate of interest on any Note (as specified in the Note) other than any imposition of a default rate of interest;

 

(d) the termination of any Transaction Document except in accordance with its terms; or

 

(e) release of all or substantially all of the Collateral securing the Notes other than in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents;

 

provided , however , that the restrictions set forth in this Section 9.1B(ii) shall not apply in respect of such waiver or amendment required by any applicable Law or request of any governmental authority (including in connection with any actual or proposed reorganization, restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar event affecting the Issuer or any other party to the Security Agreements.

 

(iii) Each Note Holder that sells a participation shall (i) acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Issuer, 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 Notes (the “ Participant Register ”), and (ii) obtain from each Participant the documentation prescribed by Section 3.6E as if such participant were a Note Holder; provided that no Note Holder shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any loans) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such loan is in registered form under Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Note Holder 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 Transaction Document Parties agree that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.6 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.6E (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.6E shall be delivered to the participating Note Holder)) to the same extent as if it were a Note Holder and had acquired its interest by assignment; provided that such participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.6 with respect to any participation than its participating Note Holder would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a change in law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation.

 

C. Procedures . Upon surrender of any Note at the principal office of the Issuer for registration of transfer or exchange (for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or his attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the address for notices and payment instructions of each transferee of such Note or part thereof and a representation by each such transferee that such transferee is a Permitted Transferee), the Issuer shall execute and deliver, at the Issuer’s expense, one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be substantially in the form attached in Exhibit A and shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

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D. Replacement . Upon receipt by the Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note, and (i) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of an unsecured agreement of indemnity or, in the case of any Note Holder that is not an institutional investor, an indemnity bond, in each case in such reasonable amount as the Issuer shall determine, or (ii) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof, the Issuer at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

9.2 Costs and Expenses

 

The Issuer agrees to pay on demand:

 

(i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Note Holders (including the reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of consultants and counsel to the Note Holders; provided that such fees, expenses and disbursements, when combined with the other out-of-pockets expenses of the Note Holders reimbursed by the Issuer, shall not exceed $500,000 for any services performed through the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date) in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the creation and perfection of the Liens in favor of the Note Holders pursuant to the Security Documents, including filing and recording fees and expenses in any applicable jurisdiction;

 

(ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of consultants and counsel to the Note Holders) incurred by the Note Holders in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any amendments, consents and waivers (whether entered into or not) to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document requested by the Issuer, the perfection of the Note Holders’ security interests granted pursuant to the Security Documents in any applicable jurisdiction and the 8-K Filing, the Proxy Statement and the Stockholder Meeting; and

 

(iii) after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Potential Event of Default or Event of Default, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and costs of settlement and fees and costs of other consultants) incurred by any Note Holder in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Transaction Document Party hereunder or under any other Transaction Document by reason of such Potential Event of Default or Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral) or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the nature of a “work-out” or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings.

 

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9.3 Indemnity

 

A. In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 9.2, the Issuer agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees’ selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless each Note Holder and its Affiliates and its respective officers, directors, employees, beneficiaries, shareholders and agents (collectively called the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all other Indemnified Liabilities; provided that the Issuer shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise from (i) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) a dispute among Indemnitees not arising from the actions or omissions of the Issuer. In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable to the Issuer for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages other than payable with respect to a third party claim.

 

B. As used herein, “ Indemnified Liabilities ” means any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation, or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up, or abate any Hazardous Materials), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), and whether based on any federal, state, or foreign Laws (including securities and commercial Laws and Environmental Laws), on common Law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of:

 

(i) this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Note Purchaser’s agreement to purchase the Notes hereunder or the use or intended use of proceeds thereof) or any enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral);

 

(ii) any statement made by the Note Purchaser to the Issuer during the negotiation of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents prior to the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date; or

 

(iii) any Environmental Claim or any condition resulting from Hazardous Materials relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership or practice of the Issuer or any other Subject Company.

 

C. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in Section 9.3A above may be unenforceable because it is violative of any applicable Law or public policy, the Issuer shall contribute the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable Law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.

 

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9.4 Amendments and Waivers

 

No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or consent to any departure by the Issuer therefrom shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of the Note Holders representing greater than fifty percent (50%) of then outstanding principal amount of the Notes (provided that the consent of all Note Holders shall be required for any amendment, modification, termination or waiver would have the effect of increasing the Commitments, reducing the outstanding principal amount or reducing the rate of interest or any fees payable hereunder or postpone the date of payment or amending this Section 9.4) and, if intended to bind the Issuer, of the Issuer. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on the Issuer in any case shall entitle the Issuer to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 9.4 with the written concurrence of the Note Holders shall be binding upon each holder of the Notes at such time outstanding, each future holder of the Notes, and, if signed by Issuer, on Issuer.

 

9.5 Notices

 

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally served, sent by facsimile or sent by recognized national overnight courier service or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or otherwise upon receipt. For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the Parties (until notice of a change thereof is delivered as provided in this Section 9.5) shall be as follows:

 

  The Issuer: Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc.
  Address: 2930 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
    Suite 275
    Houston, Texas 77043
  Attention: J. Christopher Boswell
  Telephone No.: 281-531-7200
  Facsimile No.: 281-531-5297
     
  The Note Purchaser: FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC
  Address: c/o Fir Tree Inc.
    55 West 46th Street
    New York, New York 10036
  Email: operations@firtree.com
  With Legal Notices only to:  
  Email: legalnotice@firtree.com
  Attention: General Counsel

 

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  If to the Note Purchaser,  
  with a copy to: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
  Address: 180 Maiden Lane
    New York, New York 10038
  Attention: Lucas T. Charleston, Esq.
  Telephone No.: 212-806-5419
  Email: lcharleston@stroock.com

 

If to any other Note Holder: the address specified in the transfer instrument delivered to the Issuer in connection with the assignment of any Note or portion thereof to it.

 

9.6 Survival of Warranties and Certain Agreements

 

All agreements, representations and warranties made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the execution and delivery of the Notes hereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by Law to the contrary, the agreements of the Issuer set forth in Sections 3.5, 3.6, 9.2 and 9.3 shall survive repayment or conversion of the Notes and termination of this Agreement.

 

9.7 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver, Remedies Cumulative

 

No failure or delay on the part of any Note Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under such Notes shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are cumulative to and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

 

9.8 Severability

 

In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

9.9 Headings

 

Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

9.10 Independence of Covenants

 

Except as otherwise expressly stated in a covenant herein, all covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

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9.11 Applicable Law

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

9.12 Successors and Assigns, Subsequent Holders of the Notes

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and the successors and permitted assigns of the Note Holders. The terms and provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall inure to the benefit of any permitted assignee or transferee of any Notes, and in the event of such transfer or assignment, the rights and privileges herein and in the other Transaction Documents conferred upon the Note Holders shall automatically extend to and be vested in such permitted assignee or transferee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the other Transaction Documents. The Issuer’s rights and interests hereunder may not be assigned without the prior written consent of all the Note Holders.

 

9.13 Marshaling, Payments Set Aside

 

No Note Holder shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of the Issuer or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that the Issuer makes a payment to any Note Holder, or any Note Holder enforces any security interests or exercises its rights of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such enforcement or set-off or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy Law, any other state or federal Law, common Law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or set-off had not occurred.

 

9.14 Set-Off

 

In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Note Holder is hereby authorized by the Issuer at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Issuer or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that Note Holder to or for the credit or the account of the Issuer against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of the Issuer to that Note Holder under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, irrespective of whether or not, (i) that Note Holder shall have made any demand hereunder, or (ii) the principal of or the interest on the Notes or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 8 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured.

 

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9.15 Ratable Sharing

 

A. The Note Holders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Transaction Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar law, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, fees and other amounts then due and owing to that Note Holder hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents (collectively, the “ Aggregate Amounts Due ” to such Note Holder) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Note Holder in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Note Holder, then the Note Holder receiving such proportionately greater payment shall:

 

(i) notify each other Note Holder of the receipt of such payment; and

 

(ii) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Note Holders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Note Holders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them,

 

provided that if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Note Holder is thereafter recovered from such Note Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Note Holder ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

 

B. The Issuer expressly consents to the arrangement contemplated in Section 9.15A and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by the Issuer to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

 

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9.16 Classification of Transaction

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Note Holders, by entering into this Agreement or by any action pursuant hereto, will not be, and neither the Issuer nor the Note Holders intend any Note Holder to be, deemed a partner or joint venturer with the Issuer.

 

9.17 Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process

 

ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST THE ISSUER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (OR ANY STATE COURTS SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE EVENT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION). BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ISSUER FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY:

 

(i) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

 

(ii) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

 

(iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO ISSUER, AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 9.5;

 

(iv) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE ISSUER IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

 

(v) AGREES THAT THE NOTE HOLDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ISSUER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

 

(vi) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 9.17 RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR OTHERWISE.

 

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9.18 Waiver of Jury Trial

 

THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR 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 transaction, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common Law and statutory claims. The Parties each acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for the Parties to enter into a business relationship that the Parties have already relied on the waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely on the waiver in their related future dealings. The Parties further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each 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, AND THE 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.

 

9.19 Exculpation

 

The Issuer acknowledges that neither the partners, members, participants or beneficiaries of any Note Holder nor any investment manager or adviser to any Note Holder, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, members or shareholders, assume any personal liability for any of the obligations under the Transaction Documents.

 

9.20 This Agreement Controls

 

In the event any provision of this Agreement and any of the other Transaction Documents shall conflict, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

 

9.21 Counterparts, Effectiveness

 

This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents, or supplements may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each Party and written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof has been received by each party.

 

9.22 Representations of the Note Purchaser

 

The Note Purchaser represents and warrants that, as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date:

 

A. Organization; Authority . Such Note Purchaser is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with the requisite power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 

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B. No Public Sale or Distribution . Such Note Purchaser is, (i) acquiring the Notes, and (ii) upon conversion of the Notes will acquire the Shares issuable pursuant to the Notes for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the Securities Act; provided, however, by making the representations herein, such Note Purchaser does not agree to hold any of the Notes for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Notes at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption under the Securities Act and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents. Such Note Purchaser is acquiring the Notes hereunder in the ordinary course of its business. Such Note Purchaser does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to distribute any of the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof).

 

C. Accredited Investor Status . Such Note Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

D. Reliance on Exemptions . Such Note Purchaser understands that the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities Laws and that the Issuer is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Note Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Note Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Note Purchaser to acquire the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof).

 

E. Information . Such Note Purchaser and its advisors, if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Issuer and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) that have been requested by such Note Purchaser. Such Note Purchaser and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Issuer. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Note Purchaser or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Note Purchaser’s right to rely on the Issuer’s representations and warranties contained herein. Such Note Purchaser understands that its investment in the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) involves a high degree of risk. Such Note Purchaser has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof).

 

F. No Governmental Review . Such Note Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Notes (or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof).

 

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G. Transfer or Resale . Such Note Purchaser understands that except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement:

 

(i) the Notes (and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless:

 

(a) subsequently registered thereunder;

 

(b) such Note Purchaser shall have delivered to the Issuer an opinion of counsel, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer, to the effect that such Notes or Shares issued upon conversion thereof to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration; or

 

(c) such Note Purchaser provides the Issuer with reasonable assurance that such Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144;

 

(ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Notes or Shares issuable upon conversion thereof under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder; and

 

(iii) neither the Issuer nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Notes or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.

 

H. Legends . Such Note Purchaser understands that the certificates or other instruments representing the Notes and, until such time as the resale of the Shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes have been registered under the Securities Act as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the stock certificates representing any Shares issued upon conversion of the Notes, except as set forth below, shall bear any legend as required by the “blue sky” laws of any state and a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

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The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Issuer shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of the Notes or Shares issued upon conversion of the Notes upon which it is stamped or issue to such holder by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at DTC, if, unless otherwise required by state securities laws, (i) such Notes or Shares issued upon conversion of the Notes are registered for resale under the Securities Act, (ii) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer, such holder provides the Issuer with an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of the Notes or Shares issued upon conversion of the Notes may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, or (iii) the Notes or Shares issued upon conversion of the Notes can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144. The Issuer shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent and all DTC fees associated with such issuance.

 

I. Validity; Enforcement . This Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents to which the Note Purchaser is a party have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Note Purchaser and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Note Purchaser enforceable against such Note Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

J. No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by such Note Purchaser of this Agreement and the Additional Transaction Documents to which the Note Purchaser is a party and the consummation by such Note Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Note Purchaser, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such Note Purchaser is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to such Note Purchaser, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Note Purchaser to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

K. [Reserved]

 

L. Experience of the Note Purchaser . Such Note Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Notes and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Note Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Notes and the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof and is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

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M. Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions . Either:

 

(i) the Note Purchaser is not, and is not using assets of, a Benefit Plan Investor or of a governmental, church or non-U.S. plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (“ Similar Law ”) or any entity whose assets are treated as assets of any such plan to purchase the Notes and Common Stock; or

 

(ii) the purchase and holding of any Notes or any interest therein and the acquisition of any Common Stock or any interest therein will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or any Similar Law.

 

N. No Short Sales . The Note Purchaser shall not sell or effect any short sales or similar transactions involving Equity Interests of the Issuer from the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date until the Proxy Filing Date.

 

9.23 Confidentiality

 

A. Each of the Parties shall hold as confidential this Agreement and any of its terms, and each Transaction Document, except as permitted in Sections 9.23C and 9.23D.

 

B. Each Note Holder shall hold all non-public information provided by the Issuer to it pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement that has been identified in writing as confidential by the Issuer in accordance with such Note Holder’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature.

 

C. Each of the Parties may make disclosures:

 

(i) to the extent required by applicable Laws or by any judicial or administrative proceeding;

 

(ii) to the extent requested by any Government Authority, provided that, unless specifically prohibited by applicable Law or court order, each Note Holder shall notify the Issuer of any request by any Government Authority or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition of such Note Holder by such Government Authority) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information;

 

(iii) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the Transaction Documents or the enforcement of rights hereunder;

 

(iv) to its Affiliates, and its and its Affiliates’ partners, members, directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents, advisors, including investment bankers, accountants, legal counsel and other advisors, to the extent the foregoing are directly involved in the transaction contemplated under this Agreement, and on a “need-to-know” basis (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);

 

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(v) to the extent such information (a) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.23 or (b) becomes available to the Note Purchaser or any Note Holder on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Issuer;

 

(vi) to any other party to the Transaction Documents;

 

(vii) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.23, to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty’s or prospective counterparty’s professional advisor) to any transactions relating to Obligations; and

 

(viii) with the consent of: (a) each of the Note Holders, in the case of disclosure by the Issuer; and (b) the Issuer and the other Note Holders, in the case of disclosure by a Note Holder.

 

D. The Note Purchaser and each Note Holder may disclose the existence of this Agreement, and information on the transaction contemplated under this Agreement to existing or prospective institutional investors of any fund managed by Fir Tree Partners, or any of its Affiliates, and in addition to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Note Purchaser and the Note Holders, and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, partners, separate account participants, beneficiaries, employees, advisors (including financial, legal and accounting), agents and representatives.

 

E. Each Note Holder may make disclosures to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Note Holder’s or its Affiliates’ investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Note Holder or its Affiliates (and that no written or oral communications from counsel to the Note Purchaser and no information that is or is designated as privileged or as attorney work product may be disclosed to any Person unless such Person is a Note Holder or a participant hereunder).

 

F. In no event shall any Note Holder be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Issuer, any other Subject Company or Transaction Document Party.

 

9.24 Reinstatement

 

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation or reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any of the Issuer’s assets. This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable Laws, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent conveyance,” any settlement or compromise with any Person (including the Issuer) in respect of such payment or otherwise, or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

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9.25 Coordination Among the Note Holders

 

The provisions of this Section 9.25 are solely for the benefit of the Note Holders and no Transaction Document Party nor any other Person shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Section 9.25. Anything contained in any of the Transaction Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Note Holder hereby agrees that no Note Holder shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral under any Security Document or to enforce or take any other action under any Transaction Document, without the prior written consent of the Note Holders, and each Note Holder agrees with the other Note Holders that it will take no action to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce or take any other action under any Transaction Document without such consent.

 

9.26 Amendment and Restatement

 

A. The Issuer hereby acknowledges, confirms and agrees that the Issuer is indebted to the Note Holders in an amount equal to the amount of the Initial Notes outstanding on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date, together with all interest accrued and accruing thereon (it being understood that all such interest shall constitute Additional Notes issued on the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date), and all fees, costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto (collectively, the “ Existing Obligations ”), all of which are unconditionally owing by the Issuer to the Note Holders without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever

 

B. The Issuer, on behalf of itself and the other Subject Companies, hereby acknowledges, confirms and agrees that the Note Holders have and shall continue to have a security interest in and Lien upon the Collateral heretofore granted to the Note Holders pursuant to the Original Note Facility Agreement to secure the Obligations, as well as any Collateral granted under this Agreement or under any of the other Transaction Documents or otherwise granted to or held by the Note Purchaser or any Note Holder.

 

C. The Liens and security interests of the Note Holders in the Collateral shall be deemed to be continuously granted and perfected from the earliest date of the granting and perfection of such Liens and security interests, whether under the Original Note Facility Agreement, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Original Note Facility Agreement or this Agreement).

 

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D. The Issuer, on behalf of itself and the other Subject Companies, hereby acknowledges, confirms and agrees that (in each case excepted as modified herein) (a) the Original Note Facility Agreement and each other Transaction Document (as defined in the Original Note Facility Agreement) has been duly executed and delivered by the Subject Companies party thereto and is in full force and effect as of the Amendment and Restatement Closing Date and (b) the agreements and obligations of the Subject Companies contained in the Original Note Facility Agreement and each other Transaction Document to the extent a party thereto constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Subject Companies, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms and no Subject Company has a valid defense to the enforcement of such obligations and (c) the Note Purchase and the Note Holders are entitled to all of the rights and remedies provided for in the Original Note Facility Agreement.

 

E. Except as otherwise stated herein, as of the date hereof, the terms, conditions, agreements, covenants, representations and warranties set forth in the Original Note Facility Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety, and as so amended and restated, replaced and superseded, by the terms, conditions, agreements, covenants, representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, except that nothing herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents shall impair or adversely affect the continuation of the liability of Subject Companies for the Obligations heretofore granted, pledge and/or assigned to or for the benefit of the Note Purchaser or any Note Holder. The amendment and restatement contained herein shall not, in any manner, be construed to constitute payment of, or impair, limit, cancel or extinguish, or constitute a novation in respect of, the Indebtedness and other obligations and liabilities of Subject Companies evidenced by or arising under the Original Note Facility Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and the Liens and security interests securing such Indebtedness and other obligations and liabilities, which shall not in any manner be impaired, limited, terminated, waived or released by this amendment and restatement (in each case, excepted as modified herein).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  - 89 -  
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement to be executed by its respective duly authorized officers as of the date first written above.

 

  THE ISSUER:
     
  ECO-STIM ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
  a Nevada corporation
     
  By: /s/ Jon Christopher Boswell
  Name: Jon Christopher Boswell
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement

 

  - 90 -  
 

 

  THE NOTE PURCHASER:
   
  FT SOF VII HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Brian Meyer
  Name: Brian Meyer
  Title: Authorized Person

 

ESES – Amended and Restated Convertible Note Facility Agreement

 

  - 91 -  
 

 

 

  NEWS RELEASE

 

  Contact:
  Alexander Nickolatos, Chief Financial Officer
  investorrelations@ecostim-es.com
  281-531-7200
   
  Fir Tree Partners
  Taylor Ingraham, ASC Advisors LLC
  (203) 992-1230

 

EcoStim Completes Recapitalization with Fir Tree Partners; Secures $17 million in New Funding

Positioning the Company for Growth and a Debt Free Balance Sheet

 

HOUSTON and NEUQUEN CITY, ARGENTINA – March 6, 2017 – Eco-Stim Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESES) (“EcoStim” or the “Company”) announced today that an affiliate of Fir Tree Partners (“FTP”) entered into a transaction with an affiliate of Albright Capital Management LLC (“ACM”) pursuant to which FTP has purchased from ACM $22 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 14% convertible notes due 2018 and approximately two million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This transaction is part of a comprehensive recapitalization designed to position the Company to capitalize on attractive growth prospects and create a path to a potential equitization of substantially all of the Company’s debt, subject to shareholder approval.

 

As part of the recapitalization, the Company issued to FTP an additional $17 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes to provide the Company with needed growth capital and issued to FTP approximately $2.4 million principal amount of additional convertible notes in payment of accrued interest on the existing convertible notes. After giving effect to these transactions, the Company now has approximately $41.4 million of outstanding convertible notes, which FTP has agreed to convert into common stock at a conversion price of $1.40 per share, subject to receipt of shareholder approval and satisfaction of certain other conditions. Assuming all of the $41.4 million in notes are converted, on a pro-forma basis the Company would issue 29.6 million shares to FTP and would then have approximately 44.6 million shares outstanding and no outstanding debt. The Company’s management team and largest shareholder have agreed to vote in favor of the conversion. If the note conversion is not approved by shareholders all of the outstanding convertible notes will mature in May 2018. All outstanding convertible notes will accrue interest at 20%. In addition, FTP has the right, which they exercised, to name three members to the Board of Directors, which now consists of seven members. FTP will also have approval rights with respect to certain future actions by the Company.

 

J. Chris Boswell, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “The Company has endured through a challenging period and its outstanding debt with ACM had certain covenants that were likely to be violated in the near term. This recapitalization with FTP allows the Company to avoid these covenant defaults, while providing the Company with needed growth capital and a clear path to eliminating debt while preserving upside to our current shareholder base.” Alexander Nickolatos, Chief Financial Officer added, “The debt conversion price of $1.40 represents a significant premium to the last 30-day average trading price. If shareholders approve the conversion of all outstanding debt, we believe the debt free balance sheet should unlock value for all shareholders and allow the Company to grow as the market continues to recover. We are pleased to welcome Fir Tree and their three directors onto the Board of Directors. It has been a real pleasure working with them on this transaction and we look forward to growing the Company together.”

 

 

 

 
 

 

Andrew Teno, a Director at FTP, said “Fir Tree looks forward to working with EcoStim’s management team to pursue long-term growth opportunities in the US and in Argentina. We believe that access to growth capital and a fully equitized balance sheet will benefit all of EcoStim’s shareholders.”

 

About the Company

 

Eco-Stim Energy Solutions is an environmentally focused oilfield service and technology Company providing well stimulation and completion services and proprietary field management technologies to oil and gas producers. EcoStim’s proprietary methodology and technology offers the potential to decrease the number of stages stimulated in shale plays through a unique process that predicts high probability production zones while confirming those production zones using the latest generation down-hole diagnostic tools. In addition, EcoStim offers its clients completion techniques that can dramatically reduce horsepower requirements, emissions, surface footprint and water usage. EcoStim seeks to deliver well completion services with better technology, better ecology and significantly improved economics for unconventional oil and gas producers worldwide.

 

About Fir Tree Partners

 

Fir Tree, founded in 1994, is a private investment firm with approximately $10 billion of capital under management. The firm invests worldwide in public and private companies, real estate, and debt. Fir Tree manages assets on behalf of leading endowments, foundations, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm maintains offices in New York and Miami.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience, expectations and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

Additional Information for Stockholders

 

The conversion of outstanding convertible notes will be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their consideration at a stockholder meeting. In connection with the contemplated conversion, the Company will file a proxy statement and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, the Company may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the transaction.

 

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT(S) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement(s) (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders in connection with the contemplated conversion. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company will be set forth in the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A to be filed by the Company. This document can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.